How hard is it to act as your own general contractor for a renovation?

Well. A contractor would have their own subcontractors, and could be easier to hold accountable for any issues.

If it were just one trade, I’d be more likely to try to find just a guy, to do it. The electrical, and plumbing, are what would be the most important/hardest parts. Most run of the mill handyman people could do the rest.
Electric work can be tricky, have specs that would be required, and could be a safety hazard, if not done right.

Plumbing is not necessarily much easier, but wouldn’t be a fire hazard, if botched.

Then their is money. I would be reluctant to give much up front, as such people can just dissappear, and leave you with unfinished work, and money that you’ll never see again.

I suppose I would say, that if you organize it well, and happen to get competent and dependable workers, it might be cheaper.
But you would have a lot of responsibility. Over quality, safety, and payment.

Getting One guy/Co. that could sub out all the work, would be easier, probably have better overall work done too. But might be more expensive .

I’m sure you have some different rules in Fla, than in SC (where I have been a subcontractor..

Good luck. .

If you have no idea what it all can entail then you would suck as a subcontractor.
But go for it! Keep us posted.

If you are not a licensed contractor then you can be fined for just remodeling your own bathroom (if you are caught).

^Yeah. In SC, there are people whose only job is to drive around looking for construction and levy fines on those companies that don’t have the license. The contractor is supposed to have one, for each job.

@gondwanalon I think when it’s your own house it’s ok. It might vary by state.

When I changed my driveway I just hired a paver company. I had to get it permitted by the county and everything. I wasn’t a GC, I just hired a company that is licensed. People do the same when they need a new roof, add on a patio, etc.

Because the kitchen is multiple subs it’s more complicated obviously.

I’d get in touch with each specialist (multiples of each type, for second opinions) and talk to them about what the job entails and get their advice about which task goes first, then what comes next, etc. Then decide if it’s something you think you can handle or you think you need a contractor. If you’re going to do it yourself, obviously you should be planning to hang around for the time the work is getting done. A benefit of a contractor is it would free you up for the hours and days the work is taking place.

When I first had work done on a house I thought this was a reasonable idea. It wasn’t. Pricing it out, it turned out that a general contractor would charge a better overall price because they have a relationship with the subs, and can coordinate timing and costs. A sub might charge the GC less per job because they know that the GC will be giving them more work.
They get better discounts from suppliers.
The work is done more efficiently.

Just my experience, three houses in three states, all had different kinds of work done on them.

@canidmajor I think there is a good chance of that being the case; the lower price charged by the sub to the GC and almost the same cost for me.

The question mark is recently GC’s seem to have started gouging people, and I have an inkling the subs haven’t increased their prices that much. However, since the kitchen requires so many subs, it’s daunting. The one thing a GC has is his regular subs he uses and trusts, which is really worth something.

However, my builder freely gives all the names of all the subs he uses, so that might make things easier.

Most likely I wouldn’t do it all myself, but if I can save thousands I might. I’m not going to do the renovation at the price I was quoted by one company, but I only priced it with one company so far, and prices vary a lot from what I understand.

Also consider that, unfortunately, lots of contractors still have the idea that women really have no clue. I found that it was infinitely easier to deal with those issues with one man versus three or four. Companies that specialize in kitchen renovations will likely work better with women. I doubt that you would save thousands trying to coordinate it yourself, if you don’t have the contacts or experience.
If there is a Facebook page for your community I would ask for recommendations, and also get estimates from places like Home Depot and Lowes or whoever you have there. Ask your neighbors.

I think it would be worth hiring someone to do it instead of the headache it will cause you. Trades not showing up on time or not at all. Wrong countertops, etc

Unless you know construction and can forcefully manage a bunch of contractors, then NO. Hire someone and get it done right.

The crucial question here is: do you know ANYONE in the building trades? How about an architect?