What services does a general contractor provide?

What General Contractors Do

A general contractor serves as the project manager and primary coordinator for your renovation or construction project. We handle everything from initial planning to final cleanup, ensuring your project runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and meets all building codes and safety requirements.

Project Management & Coordination

General contractors like Justyn Rook Contracting take full responsibility for your renovation from start to finish. We coordinate all the moving pieces - scheduling subcontractors, ordering materials, managing timelines, and ensuring quality control at every stage. This means you have one point of contact instead of juggling multiple trades and suppliers yourself.

We handle the permit applications and inspections required by the City of Ottawa, ensuring your project complies with the Ontario Building Code. This is crucial because unpermitted work can create insurance issues and problems when selling your home. Our team knows exactly what permits are needed for different types of work and maintains relationships with city inspectors to keep projects moving efficiently.

Trade Coordination & Quality Control

Skilled trades coordination is a major part of what we do. Your bathroom renovation might require plumbers, electricians, tile setters, painters, and flooring specialists. We schedule these trades in the proper sequence, ensure their work meets our standards, and handle any issues that arise between different trades.

We also provide project oversight and quality assurance. While you might hire individual trades directly, they typically work independently without someone ensuring the overall project vision is maintained. General contractors ensure everything fits together properly and meets the design specifications.

Ottawa-Specific Services

In the Ottawa market, general contractors typically handle material procurement and delivery, often getting better pricing due to established supplier relationships. We understand local suppliers, delivery logistics, and can navigate supply chain issues that individual homeowners might struggle with.

For specialized work like secondary dwelling units - increasingly popular in Ottawa's R4 zoned areas - general contractors manage the complex coordination between structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades while ensuring compliance with Ottawa's specific ADU requirements.

When You Need a General Contractor

Hire a general contractor when your project involves multiple trades or requires permits. Simple single-trade jobs (like just painting) might not need a GC, but anything involving plumbing, electrical, or structural changes typically does. In Ottawa, projects over $10,000 often benefit from professional project management.

Safety and liability protection is another key benefit. Licensed general contractors carry WSIB coverage and liability insurance, protecting you from accidents or damages during construction.

For a free consultation about your specific renovation needs, contact Justyn Rook Contracting. We'll help you understand exactly what services your project requires and provide transparent pricing for our comprehensive project management approach.