How to Be a General Contractor

General contractors work, oversee and manage the construction site, employees and subcontractors.

General contractors are responsible for executing building and repair tasks, supervising workers and managing all aspects of construction projects. Although there are no standard educational requirements to become a general contractor, each state mandates that general contractors must be licensed. The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies maintains a database of current licensing requirements in each state. A general contractor must pay taxes through the Internal Revenue Service as a business owner, even if he has no employees.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Contractor's license for your state
• Employer Identification number

1. Familiarize yourself with the work general contractors perform. Gain work experience before you attempt to become a general contractor. You may choose to apply for entry-level construction jobs and eventually earn journeyman status to assist you in gaining licensure as a general contractor.

2. Confirm your state's licensing requirements with National Association of State Contractor's Licensing Agencies. Each state has various requirements, and failure to comply may result in your city, county or state taking punitive action against you.

3. Apply for a contractor license by following your city, county or state's protocol. Most states require potential contractors to take a written examination.

4. Choose a business name or use your own name. Register your business name or your own name as a general contracting business with your state's Department of Labor.

5. Visit IRS.gov, the official website of the Internal Revenue Service, and apply for an Employer Identification Number. EINs are used for taxpayer identification, insurance information and banking purposes in lieu of Social Security numbers.

6. Create a website, list your telephone number in local directories and advertise your business. A professionally designed website is one of the most successful lead-generation tools, according to the Rich Contractor website.

References

• NASCLA: Resources
• Education Portal: How to Become a General Contractor
• IRS: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
• RichContractor.com: How to Become a Contractor