Should i hire a general contractor or manage the individual trades myself for a full gut reno in Moncton?

For a full gut renovation in Moncton, hiring a general contractor is almost always the smarter choice — the coordination complexity, permit requirements, and inspection scheduling make self-managing extremely challenging for most homeowners.

A complete gut job involves orchestrating 8-12 different trades in precise sequence: demolition, structural work, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, and finishing trades. The timing is critical — your electrician and plumber need to coordinate their rough-in work before insulation goes in, and NB Technical Inspection Services (TIS) must inspect electrical and plumbing at specific stages before walls close up. Miss an inspection window, and you're tearing open finished walls.

In Moncton's current market, expect to pay 15-20% more for a general contractor's markup, but this covers project management, warranty coordination, and problem-solving when trades don't show up or work conflicts arise. For a $75,000 gut renovation, that's roughly $11,000-$15,000 in GC fees — but you'll likely save that in avoided mistakes, rework, and timeline delays.

Building permit coordination alone justifies a GC for most homeowners. The City of Moncton requires separate permits for structural, electrical (through NB Power at 1-800-615-0522), plumbing (through TIS), and potentially HVAC work. Your contractor handles all permit applications, inspection scheduling, and code compliance — ensuring work meets National Building Code 2020 standards that became mandatory May 1, 2025.

Consider self-managing only if you have: construction experience, flexible work schedule (inspections happen during business hours), strong local trade relationships, and comfort navigating permit processes. Rural New Brunswick projects might be more DIY-friendly, but Moncton's active market means good trades are booked weeks ahead.

Your next step: Get quotes from 3-4 licensed general contractors through verified directories. Ask specifically about their experience with gut renovations, how they handle permit coordination, and their typical project timeline. A good GC will provide a detailed scope breakdown showing exactly what's included in their management fee.

Most Moncton homeowners find the peace of mind and professional coordination worth the additional investment, especially on projects this complex.