General Contracting

[hustlershope23]

I was wonder if anyone is familar with this type of work? I see posted all the time people looking for people to do general labor etc. I know a group of guys who will work for cheap. I could price the job right, I could make a nice profit. I was wondering if anyone has done this?

[ripsaw]

The phrase you are referring to is usually associated with the construction industry...although it can be applied to any type of business.

Generally the phrase means you accept an invitation to present a detailed proposal to accept a task that has been defined by someone, or company that is looking to have the work completed.

Normally, a general contractor will accomplish a specific porttion of the overall work, but is specialized in that work only, and therefore the general contractor will seek other companies, or individuals who represent themselves as having expertise or experience in the area of the overall job that the general contractor does not posess.

Usually the general contractor will add a percentage onto the "sub-contractors" bid, and add it to his total bid, to complete the work.

People who are looking to have work completed, depending upon the scope of the job, require capacity and experience doing the kind of work that is requested to be completed.

Usually there is a binding contract which will include a performance paragraph. People usually do not accept the word or even the assets of a company or person who is claiming to be able to perform, by providing a price to do the work, and complete the work to acceptable standards. Normally there is a Performance Bond required to be part of the proposal to perform for a price. The company that backs the bond, will look at the company or person's experience, and financial capacity to perform, and perform on time / schedule.

Even small jobs, where people provide labor to others to complete work they ask to be completed, many time will be / can be held repsonsible for the property of the person / company that wants the work done, and will sometimes legally hold resonsbible the person / company that is providing the "so called contracted labor" if something goes wrong, and there is a "problem" that comes up in the performace of the work by the "contractor".

This is not an area to enter if you do not posess experience doing this sort of work acquisition.

I suggest you spend time at the library; there are excellent books there on any subject of learning.

[hustlershope23]

Even for unskilled labor, I'm talking similar to a cleaning company, sure you're going to have to be bonded, but is it that elaborate?

[ripsaw]

Elaborate is a word that may be defined differently in different situations.

When you plan, to the extent possible you must also plan for the minor risk element, as well as the major risk element in a business effort.

There are all kinds of exposure for employer of contract labor when entering a commercial or private location to perform contract specifications.

Theft is one that springs to mind, but also, what if a contract laborer damages or breaks something of value in the process of perfoming the duties they contract to do? Who is liable?

As the contractor, YOU to is :>)

Best advise; get a lawyer and have your ducks in a row related to all legalities.

Even if you don't have much to lose, your reputation follows you from now on. So, you must be aware of where you are stepping lest you step into a hole you will have a hard time digging out from.

[zoobie]

Best advise; get a lawyer and have your ducks in a row related to all legalities.

Ripsaw explained it well. Not sure if cleaning companies have bonds, too, like that in construction. But the important thing here are documents and the agreement. Black and white.

[carrera87]

i worked at a callcenter for 3 months don't know if that's any help