A general contractor is a person that is hired by a company or a private individual for any work on building construction. As a general guideline, you’ll require a general contractor whenever you’re adding square footage or relocating walls. Why? Because you must obtain authorization from the city to alter the structure. This type of work can only be done by licensed general contractors, ADU Builders and building inspectors will not allow any work unless it is done by a professional general contractor.
What Can General Contractors Do?
A general contractor’s main job is to review proposals and provide an estimate. They will also be responsible for providing pre-subcontractor inspections. General contractors in San Diego are licensed by the San Diego Board of Equalization and must follow all state and federal building and safety regulations. They have to hold general contractor licenses with the US Department of Labor (DOL) before they can practice in San Diego. The DOL’s website can help you locate a licensed general contractor in San Diego by entering the name of the city or county where the project is to be worked. Contractors may also hold temporary licenses that they can use for a specified period of time.
Steps of Project Planning
- Snap And Price
Once the General contractor is hired, the client simply gives them all the information they want to be done (including a detailed project plan), and then the process begins. First, the client will give Snap a price range to consider for the entire development process, including start-up costs. Next, Snap will do the preliminary architectural drawings for each stage of the project and will make the estimates based on these designs. Once the architectural drawings are approved by the client, the general contractor will start the actual construction process. The whole process can take four to six weeks depending on the complexity of the project.
- Approval From Planning and Zoning Department
After the initial planning and building, permit processing has been completed, the San Diego City Planning and Zoning departments will review the plan and provide further approval. When this is complete, the San Diego City Planning and Zoning departments will issue the final permits necessary for the general contractor to begin work. Once the permit is issued, the San Diego City Planning and Zoning departments will inspect the proposed work site. If the construction site is in violation of any ordinances or laws, the project will be immediately disapproved. The entire development process typically takes about two to three months from start to finish.
- Factors To Consider While Working
Even though this sounds extremely quick, it is not. In the case of special projects like building accessory dwellings, it can take as long as six months or more. There are many factors involved, including the type of work being performed, the materials to be used, and the availability of required equipment and supplies. If these elements are not carefully planned, it can take even longer. While the average general contractor can complete this type of project in a month’s time, it may still be taking six months or more for San Diego County to issue all of the required permits.
- They Add Additional Value To Your Home
Even with the additional time and effort required to properly plan and coordinate a development project, there is a significant benefit to homeowners. This is primarily due to the fact that the longer the development process, the higher the amount of rental income generated by the project. This is due to the fact that homebuyers and families will be able to enjoy the additional amenities and services provided by the new home as well as use the equity generated from the sale of the property to make future improvements and repairs. For those homeowners who are planning to sell their homes after construction is complete, the addition of a granny flat can significantly improve the appraisal value of the home while also increasing the rental income generated by the property.
- No Need Of Permit
There is another reason why the development of building accessory dwelling units is a smart investment for homeowners. Unlike many residential areas, construction projects in San Diego County do not require homeowners to obtain special permits. Permits are only required when building parking structures, buildings with attached garages, and specific structures, such as swimming pools and tennis courts. Typically, these types of projects are not considered “urban” by local code and do not need to be filed separately with the city of San Diego.
Conclusion
As a result, the vast majority of homeowners will be able to enjoy the benefits of the added convenience and comfort provided by an attached garage, as well as the opportunity to save money on the cost of building and home improvement projects. Additionally, Los Angeles homeowners can enjoy the benefits of working with a reliable general contractor. By engaging in the process necessary to acquire a remodel or conversion permit, homeowners can ensure that their Los Angeles area projects are in compliance with local laws and regulations. With this knowledge, they can feel confident that the finished product will meet their expectations and will provide them with years of use and enjoyment.
