How to Do a General Contract Addition Job Yourself

Check on all permits, inspection schedules, certificates, codes and neighborhood covenants that will apply to the job you are considering. There may be codes or covenants that will limit your project, such as property setback requirements, easements or architectural guidelines. Be sure to incorporate them into your plans.

Develop a drawing or blueprint for your plan. Involving an architect ensures that you have every step and contingency included in your plans, like electrical diagrams and framing plans.

Investigate any licensing or insurance requirements your locale has in regard to general contractors.

Find and hire subcontractors for the job after getting some background knowledge about their role and what is required of them. Get references---and check them---along with written quotes and estimates, so you can adequately compare quotes. Consider the middle quotes, rather than the high and low ones; they are more likely to be appropriate for the quality and amount of work the job requires.

Schedule your subcontractors at the proper stages and time frames. Be familiar with what needs to be done at what stage and how much time the job should take. Leave a little extra time for delays, so you don't lose a subcontractor because you no longer fit in his schedule.

Find out what a quality job looks like, so you can inspect the work that is done. The work needs to pass a building inspection, so you must be sure the work is done to code. You will have to try to get the subcontractor back out to the site to fix the work if you get a failing grade, which will throw you off schedule.

Make choices on materials promptly and with due diligence, and do not change your mind unless absolutely necessary. Making changes during the process can add untold money and man-hours to the job.

Pay everyone accurately and promptly. Subcontractors and suppliers can, and will, place a contractor's lien against your property if you do not pay them according to contract terms, which will affect the title on your home and your credit. Do not pay for everything up front; hold some payment until the job is completed.