Everything You Need To Know About Certified General Contractors

Certified General Contractors will cover many of your construction needs around the house as they arise. You can depend on them for a remodel, extension, or even something simple as fitting Kitchen Worktops In Colchester. 

You should know how to select the right contractor for the job, and you will find that your job is done with more ease than you ever expected. You have General Contractors, Main Contractors, and Prime Contractors in the UK. You can hire general contractors for any basic or even extensive construction work. They may also work with construction companies and perform tasks for them and are often referred to as main contractors. 

On the other hand, contractors are referred to as Prime Contractors when they work for the government or government agencies. 

What do They do?

Certified General Contractors oversee and care for various construction project areas. They may oversee and work with carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, and other key specialists involved in the project. They may also make the contract with the owner and then hire others as they need on a sub-contractual basis to conduct and complete construction projects. 

Contractors are trained and highly skilled and head companies that manage diverse sorts of construction. They may concentrate on a key area like kitchen renovations, extensions, flooring, etc., or focus on all of them with a team of professionals. 

Verify Their Certifications

A good contractor should have a number of certifications that prove they’re competent and trained. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for. 

HSMC – Health & Safety Management For Construction Certification

Even if you hire a contractor for a basic job like fitting Kitchen Worktops In Colchester, make sure they have this certification. It shows that they will know the regulations that should be followed when it comes to design as well as management. It also indicates that they care about the health and safety of their team enough to earn a certification in the niche. While it is not a necessary certification, it demonstrates the dedication and care taken by site managers and contractors. 

For this certificate, they are taught the legal requirements, workplace safety hazards, and more. They also need to learn about safe evacuation. General health culture, risk assessment, bio, and chemical agents that they may have to deal with at work. If your contractor has this certificate, you can rest assured that they’ll create a safe working space for every team member and that they’ll be able to take the right measures in case something untoward happens. 

The CSCS – Construction Skills Certification Scheme

This is a more all-encompassing training certificate. A general contractor who oversees multiple construction site areas must have the CSCS certification. This certification is a requirement for those dealing with scaffoldings, excavators, roofing, cladding, and quite a bit more.

The CSCS certification is awarded on a different colour basis, representing their training and occupations. Here’s what you should know:

• Gold: Supervisor/ Advances Supervisor 
• Blue: Craft
• Black: Management
• Grey: Professionally Qualified
• Green: Site Operative (Construction)
• Red: Trainee/Manager

Niche Specific 

For a more specific niche-related certification, you can expect MEWP certification (Mobile Elevating Working Platforms). This is all about operating various types of aerial lifts and ladders. It can be complicated, and the risks involved are far too much to hire non certified personnel. 

It is required for any professional who is going to be using or operating aerial lifts, a supervisor, and even maintenance people. 

How To Find The Right Contractor For The Job?

As mentioned above, contractors cover various tasks within a site; consequently, you need to find a contractor related to the job you want. If you need to replace or fix your Kitchen Worktops In Colchester, then you might be able to get it done with your worktop supplier. Many worktop suppliers work with general contractors to provide such support for their clients. 

For kitchen renovations, bathroom remodelling, or other works, you will need to find a general contractor, and here are some ways you can do that. 

Search Online

You can search online for general contractors by using keywords related to the task. For instance, you search ‘ Certified General Contractors, Kitchen Remodelling Contractor,’ or any other niche-related words that will help you find contractors specialising in said field. This is a great way to find a good contractor, as you can check their certification, reviews, and ratings. 

Additionally, you may view their portfolio without engaging with them first to ensure they’re suitable for you. 

Referrals

One can also find contractors through referrals. Suppose your friends, family, or acquaintances have recently engaged the services of a general contractor for their home or any other property. In that case, you can ask them if they’re willing to give them a recommendation.

If they found the contractor to have done a good and satisfactory job, then they’ll be happy to recommend the professional to you. It is a great way to find a certified contractor who can meet your needs, as you will have recommendations from people you can trust that have used their service. 

Have A Meeting

Once you’ve finalised a list of people, meet with them, and ask for their certifications and licenses before you hire them for the job. Besides, make sure to have a written and signed contract that is legally binding so that both parties involved understand their roles and are safe in case things go south.

Conclusion

While it is good to have a contractor with the necessary certification, it is even better if they have more than what’s needed. It is a sign of their interest in their work and their and their team’s protection. So go for a certified contractor. 

At Solid Worktops, we offer the gorgeous Kitchen Worktops In Colchester. We will also install them professionally so you can skip the additional step of searching for another contractor!