What Does It Really Mean to Be Your Own General Contractor?

Joey Feliciano
3 minutes ago
3 min read

More homeowners today are exploring the idea of acting as their own General Contractor (GC). On the surface, it can sound empowering — more control, potential cost savings, and a hands-on role in building your home.

But what does it really mean to be your own GC?

At Performance By Design, we work with many clients who are considering this path. The most successful ones aren’t guessing — they’re informed, prepared, and realistic about what the role actually requires.

Let’s break it down.

What a General Contractor Really Does

A General Contractor isn’t just “the person who hires subcontractors.” They are responsible for orchestrating the entire build process from start to finish.

This includes:

Scheduling every phase of construction
Coordinating multiple subcontractors and suppliers
Managing permits, inspections, and compliance
Tracking budgets, timelines, and change orders
Solving problems when things don’t go as planned (because something always does)

When you act as your own GC, you take on all of this responsibility.

The Real Commitments (Beyond the Budget)

Time Commitment

Being your own GC is not a part-time role. Expect:

Daily communication with trades
Frequent on-site coordination
Adjusting schedules when delays occur

If you work full-time or have limited flexibility, this can quickly become overwhelming.

Decision Fatigue

Owner-GCs make hundreds of decisions, often under pressure:

Material substitutions
Trade sequencing changes
Scope adjustments
Budget trade-offs

Without a clear plan, these decisions can stall progress and create stress.

Risk & Accountability

If a subcontractor doesn’t show up, makes a mistake, or causes a delay — the responsibility falls on you. There’s no buffer and no one else to absorb the impact.

Why Some Homeowners Choose to Be Their Own GC

For the right person, being an owner-GC can be a good fit. It often works best if you:

Want hands-on involvement and control
Are comfortable coordinating people and timelines
Have flexibility in your schedule
Value understanding the full build process, not just the end result

The key difference between success and frustration is preparation.

Where Most DIY GCs Get Stuck

In our experience, challenges usually don’t come from a lack of effort — they come from gaps in planning.

Common issues include:

Underestimating the planning phase
Incomplete trade sequencing
Permit and inspection surprises
Unrealistic timelines
Missing contingencies in the budget

These missteps cost time, money, and momentum — and they’re often avoidable with the right guidance.

How Performance By Design Supports Owner-GCs

You don’t have to choose between doing it yourself and doing it alone.

Performance By Design supports owner-GCs by:

Clarifying the full build roadmap before construction begins
Identifying risks early — before they become costly
Aligning design, budget, and build strategy
Helping you anticipate what’s coming next, not just what’s happening now

Our role is to help you build with confidence instead of guesswork.

Is Being Your Own General Contractor Right for You?

Acting as your own GC can be rewarding — when it’s done intentionally.

The most important question isn’t:

“Can I save money?”

It’s:

“Do I have the clarity, time, and structure to manage this successfully?”

That’s where smart planning makes all the difference.

Ready to Talk It Through?

Choosing to be your own General Contractor is a big decision — and it doesn’t have to be made alone.

At Performance By Design, we offer free, no-pressure consultations to help you:

Understand what the owner-GC role looks like for your project
Identify risks before construction starts
Align your budget, timeline, and expectations
Decide if being your own GC is the right path — or if another approach makes more sense

👉 Schedule a free consultation and get clarity before you commit.