If They Use All Subcontractors, Why Do I Need a General Contractor?
The Hidden Value of Planning, Oversight & Professional Management in Your Remodel
One of the most common questions we get during initial remodel consultations is:
“If a general contractor hires out all the work to subcontractors, can’t I just manage the project myself?”
It’s a fair question — especially in a world where YouTube, DIY blogs, and even some tradespeople might downplay the complexity of a remodel.
But here’s the truth: in a professionally run remodel, the real value of your general contractor (GC) isn’t about swinging the hammer — it’s about what happens before, during, and after construction. It’s project management, planning, accountability, and protection.
Let’s break it down.
🧩 A Remodel Is a Puzzle with a Thousand Pieces
A typical kitchen or full-home remodel involves dozens of decisions and dependencies:
- Design approvals
- Product lead times
- Permits and inspections
- Trade coordination
- Sequencing (demo > framing > plumbing > electrical > insulation > drywall > finishes)
- Site access and cleanliness
- Weather delays
- Client change requests
- Unexpected surprises (there’s always something in an older home)
Miss one step — or do something out of order — and the whole schedule slips. Worse, it can trigger costly rework, lost deposits, or even failed inspections.
That’s where a GC earns their keep.
🔨 What a General Contractor Actually Does
At The Building Company, we’re not just sending out bids and waiting for invoices. We’re orchestrating every detail of the project so you don’t have to. That includes:
- Preconstruction planning: Creating a realistic scope, timeline, and budget before work starts
- Trade scheduling: Lining up subcontractors in the right order with clear expectations
- Daily oversight: Ensuring each trade performs quality work and meets code
- Permits and inspections: Managing paperwork and city/county approvals
- Problem-solving: Navigating surprises behind the walls or under the floor
- Communication: Keeping you informed with updates, change orders, and walkthroughs
- Quality control: Reviewing completed work before the next phase begins
Good GCs don’t just hire subs — they protect your time, your money, and your sanity.
🛡️ Risk Management Matters
A homeowner acting as their own GC takes on a lot of risk:
- Legal exposure: Are you aware of liability for injuries on-site? Do you have the right insurance?
- Permitting issues: Did you pull the right permit? Schedule the correct inspections?
- Warranty gaps: If something fails later, who do you call? Are the trades still around?
- Schedule chaos: Do you know what happens if your drywall guy no-shows and the tiler was scheduled for the next day?
When you hire a licensed general contractor like The Building Company, we’re on the hook for making sure the job is done right. That’s more than peace of mind — it’s real protection.
👷 We Use Subs — But That’s a Strength, Not a Weakness
Yes, we work with trusted subcontractors — electricians, plumbers, framers, tile setters, and more. Why? Because these are specialists who do their trade every day. They’re licensed, insured, and proven.
But here’s the key: we manage them. We hold them to quality standards, check their work, and coordinate their timing.
You’re not chasing a dozen people and hoping it all works out. You have one point of contact — us.
📞 Thinking About Managing It Yourself?
We get it — you want to save money, or maybe you’ve worked with trades before. But ask yourself:
- Do you want to spend your nights and weekends making calls, checking schedules, or troubleshooting problems?
- Will you know if work was done to code — or just fast?
- Who will help you if your painter ghosts the job mid-project?
Your remodel is a big investment. Having a professional manage it from start to finish protects that investment — and your sanity.
Let’s Talk About Your Remodel
Whether it’s a kitchen, addition, ADU, or whole-home upgrade, we’re here to guide you through every step — from concept to completion.
📱 Call or text:509-890-0222
📧 Email: info@pnwbuild.com
The Building Company
is a proud member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). We don’t just build — we plan, manage, and protect every project we touch.
