Should you be your own general contractor?

This is a hard question to answer in my opinion. Bottom line is that it is like everything else. Yes, you will make rookie mistakes. Yes, you can do a lot of the work yourself. And yes, you can be successful in being your own general contractor.

But before you pull out the hammer and blueprints, let's look at some of the advantages of hiring a general contractor so that at least you are aware of what you are up against. General contractors have a few big advantages over a do-it-yourself home owner.

• They have relationships with sub-contractors that make it a lot easier to create a schedule and stick to it.  When a general contractor calls a plumber and asks him to start a job, that plumber will show up when expected and get the job done.  When a homeowner calls a plumber, that homeowner is at the mercy of the plumber's schedule and priority list.

• A general contractor most often knows where to get the best quality products for the least amount of money.  Because he often buys products in bulk and has a relationship with the supplier, he can get a better rate than the average person.  In addition, he knows from experience which products have the best quality.  It is better to spend a few more dollars on a sink that will hold up, than one that is cheaper but will require a warranty call in a matter of months.

• A general contractor can also save you time.  Knowing exactly what inspections need to happen when, the shipping time of a product, and the scheduling conflicts of the sub-contractors, a general contractor can anticipate problems before they happen.   A homeowner won't know all of this and probably has other full-time responsibilities that will draw out the timeline even more.

My advice... When planning a major renovation or new construction project, really sit down and evaluate your skills. Be honest with yourself. Do you have the time to dedicate to this project? How is your construction knowledge? Do you have connections in the construction industry? Are you on a strict schedule?

Depending on your answers to these questions, being your own general contractor might be a really wonderful, gratifying experience. However, if your answers to these questions cause some doubt, then it might be worth reaching out to a general contractor who can partner with you to make your project a success.