General Contracting
Lead the build — from blueprint to ribbon-cutting.
What is a General Contractor / Construction Manager?
General contractors and construction managers plan, coordinate, and lead building projects — managing crews, schedules, budgets, and trades. Many start in a hands-on trade and grow into running projects and companies.
What you’d actually do
- Plan schedules, budgets, and project logistics
- Coordinate subcontractors and inspections
- Read plans and solve problems on site
- Manage safety, quality, and client communication
How to get started
- Start in a trade or as a field/office assistant on projects
- Learn estimating, scheduling, and project management
- Earn a California contractor license to run your own jobs
Common questions
Do I need a degree to be a construction manager?
Not necessarily — many managers rise from the trades through experience, while others pursue a construction-management degree. A contractor license lets you run projects independently.
How do you become a general contractor in California?
You build qualifying experience, then pass the California State License Board exam to earn your contractor license. Many start in a trade first.
Your future is hiring.
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