What it means
The general contractor plans the work, orders materials, hires or employs the trades, supervises construction and handles inspections and close-out. It answers to the owner for quality, cost and schedule.
Some general contractors hire out nearly all trades. Others keep key trades in house.
Why it matters
The general contractor you choose affects how the project feels day to day. A firm with its own crews can respond quickly and control quality, while a firm that relies entirely on subcontractors depends on others' availability.
Owners should ask who actually does the work, who supervises it, and who is on site.
How HSM handles it
HSM is a general contractor that self-performs most of the work. Our own electricians, led by a Master Electrician, and our own mechanical team of HVAC and plumbing trades are on our payroll, alongside low voltage and security, interior systems, carpentry and millwork, painting, and doors and hardware crews.
That gives clients one schedule and one accountable team. When a change comes up, we can move crews directly. When an inspection finds an issue, the people who did the work are the ones who fix it.
We take on new construction and renovation projects up to $50,000,000 across Western Canada, with offices in Edmonton and St. Albert.
What to plan for
When you compare contractors, ask who will be on site each day, which trades are their own employees, and who answers the phone after hours. We answer calls and email 24/7/365.