How to hire a general contractor

How to hire a general contractor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general contractor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a general contractor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general contractor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the general contractor you need to hire. Certain general contractor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect general contractor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of general contractors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of General Contractor	Description	Hourly rate
   General Contractor	Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.	$19-51
   Facilities Project Manager	Facilities Project Managers oversee the activities in the facility, such as construction or repair works. They ensure that the project timeline is being followed and the agreed-upon deadlines will be met... Show more	$25-52
   Project And Field Manager	A project and field manager's role is to oversee the daily project and field operations to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They work to identify and meet client needs by conducting research and analyses, setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, managing staff, delegating responsibilities, and monitoring procedures to ensure that operations adhere to standards and regulations... Show more	$33-60

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • Safety Regulations
   • Contract Negotiations
   • Drywall Installation
   • Construction Projects
   • Payroll
   • HVAC
   • Masonry
   • Door Installation
   • Sheetrock
   • Construction Sites
   • General Construction
   • Construction Management
   • Window Installation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the repair/replacement of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural of primarily historical residences.
   • Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
   • Perform electrical, mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, framing, roofing and finishing construction for residential and commercial buildings.
   • Remodel restaurants, which include painting, dry wall, tiling, plumbing, electrical and laying carpet.
   • Assist and perform all duties with installation of cabinets, flooring, sheetrock, framing, concrete, and basic plumbing.
   • Experience in roofing, painting, digging of footers, and tile setting.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general contractor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A general contractor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, general contractors' average salary in mississippi is 40% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level general contractors earn 62% less than senior-level general contractors.
   • Certifications. A general contractor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a general contractor's salary.

   Average general contractor salary

   $66,602yearly

   $32.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level general contractor salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a general contractor job description

   A general contractor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a general contractor job description:

   General contractor job description example

   Apply today – Start ASAP - $15-$20/hour - $50 Referral Bonus!
   

   Skills Lift, lower, & carry up to 100lbs Able to work 40 hours a week minimum Able to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions Able to take direction and work safely Willing to learn and move into skilled trade work

   Qualifications Minimum Have all PPE Reliable transportation Reliable form of communication (phone/email) Work Safely and follow OSHA guidelines

   
   Perks

   -Long Term Work - $500 Sign-on Bonus - Paycheck Advances - Weekly Direct Deposit

   -Unlimited $250 Referral Bonuses - $50 first day referral bonus

   - 40 hrs a week + Overtime - Paid Holidays - 401K & Health Benefits

   - Free OSHA training and Lift Certifications - Milestone Rewards Program!

   
   

   CCS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

   Some of our positions are subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify candidates.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find general contractors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your general contractor job on Zippia to find and recruit general contractor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with general contractor candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general contractor

   Once you've selected the best general contractor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new general contractor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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