What Exactly is a General Contractor?

You can’t throw a rock in Northern Nevada without hitting at least four custom contractor vehicles. You know the type: large pickup truck–possibly a utility truck with built-in toolboxes and lumber rack–with some sort of magnetic advertising and/or custom graphic depicting a nondescript logo and, sometimes even a memorable catchphrase. This plethora of never-ending contractors, then, must certainly translate into a pain-free, simple solution to help realize your construction dream. If only it were that easy.

We’re Here to Help Sort Out the Mess

The example is much more than a silly illustration of the current state of the vehicles on our roadways in Northern Nevada. We know it to be an immensely powerful analogy of the deafening noise and confusion that confronts potential construction customers. We firmly believe that the construction process starts with a dream. We believe our primary purpose as a general contractor is to help our clients realize their own unique dream by serving as their trustworthy partner. We’re the expert who guides the process, every single step of the way. Before we delve too deeply into our own personal understanding of general contracting, we’d like to provide some much needed clarity on the facts. The best avenue to cut through the noise is by way of the agency that regulates contractors in Nevada, the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Nevada State Contractors Board

The mission statement of the Nevada State Contractors Board reads: The Nevada State Contractors Board is committed to promoting public confidence and trust in the competence and integrity of licensees and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Additionally, the NCSB clearly states the function of the agency: The Board is empowered with determining the qualifications of applicants prior to licensing, setting forth conditions for licenses, such as limiting the field and scope of the operations of a licensed contractor, bond requirements and establishing maximum contractual limits. The Board is also empowered to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for implementing and enforcing the enabling statute, NRS 624, and to discipline licensees found in violation of the statute.

Essentially, the Nevada State Contractors Board is the agency tasked with vetting applicants through a rigorous screening process. “Qualification for a contractors license is determined by written management and trade examinations, extensive and detailed investigation of the applicant’s qualifications, background, ability, experience, competence, general character and established proof of financial responsibility.” The review process is designed and carried out in such a way as to ensure to the public and the NSCB, with reasonable certainty at the time of licensure, that licensees are “competent and qualified.”

All Licenses Aren’t Created Equal

So, the Nevada State Contractors Board is the agency in charge of licensing and reviewing contractors. It is of the utmost importance to note that there are a number of different, and quite unique, licenses offered through the NCSB. Each individual license permits the license holder to perform only the tasks that fall within a predetermined legal scope of work.

There are three categories of licensure via the Nevada State Contractors Board. Each classification is denoted by the alphabetical letter that precedes a subsequent license number. A general building contractor is issued a “B” license, whereas general engineering contractors and speciality contractors are issued “A” and “C” licenses, respectively. Incredibly, there are 36 distinct classifications of “C” subcontractor licenses.

Therefore, in the illustration provided above of the overwhelming number of custom contractor vehicles clogging roadways in Northern Nevada, the simplest way to differentiate a general contractor from everyone else is to read the license number that (should be) printed on the vehicle. If the number begins with “B”, the contractor is stating that they are a licensed general contractor. However, we will discuss in much greater detail why it is imperative for construction clients to thoroughly research prospective contractors, and we’ll also provide a comprehensive breakdown of the means at their disposal by which to vet any and all contractors.

General Contractor in Northern Nevada

A general contractor in Northern Nevada is much more than a letter in a license. Again, the scope of general contracting, according to the regulatory agency, the Nevada State Contractors Board is: The principal business is in connection with the construction or remodeling of buildings or structures for the support, shelter and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or movable property of any kind, requiring in their construction the use of more than two unrelated building trades or crafts, upon which he or she is a prime contractor and where the construction or remodeling of a building is the primary purpose.

To clarify, the duties of a general contractor are primarily focused on construction or remodeling of buildings or structures, specifically when the construction or renovation requires two or more unrelated building trades or crafts. Essentially, a general contractor is the expert who will oversee and coordinate construction projects that require multiple unrelated trades, such as electrical and framing. It is the duty of a general contractor to bridge the gaps between not only client expectations and a finished project, but also between many unique and simultaneous subcontractor duties and expectations. A general contractor is responsible for every interconnected facet of a construction project, morally and legally, from start to well-after the project is completed. A general manager is quite like the coach of a sports team–responsible for placing each player in the best position to succeed while constantly evaluating a bigger picture and holding everyone accountable to a larger goal.

A Better Way to Build

Again, we advocate that every construction project begins as a dream, and each of those dreams are tied directly to clients’ identities. What we do is often so much more than renovating or constructing a building. We offer ourselves as an expert and guide to help you realize your dreams. We’re here so that construction doesn’t have to be scary. Mere definitions and explicit legal obligations of licensure with the Nevada State Contractors Board are simply a starting point rather than the finish line. A general contractor should be so much more. Please allow us the opportunity to earn your trust and be your Northern Nevada general contractor. We’d be honored if you would take the time to read not only our core belief of building in Northern Nevada, but also our pledge to our clients and community.