(A Simple Guide for Southern Illinois Homeowners)**

Across Southern Illinois, people use the terms contractor and general contractor like they’re the same thing — but they’re not.
Understanding the difference helps protect your home, your budget, and your peace of mind.

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What Is a Contractor?

A contractor is a specialist in one single trade:

• • Roofing

• • Plumbing

• • Electrical

• • Concrete

• • HVAC

They handle just their part of the project.
If your job needs more than one trade, you end up managing everyone — calling, scheduling, and hoping the work lines up correctly.

And in Southern Illinois, where weather, soil conditions, and older home structures can create unexpected challenges, coordinating multiple trades yourself can get complicated fast.

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What Is a General Contractor (GC)?

A General Contractor — like Integrity Built, Inc. — oversees the entire project, start to finish.

A GC handles:

• • Scheduling and managing all trades

• • Ensuring everything meets local codes

• • Handling permits and inspections

• • Keeping the job on time and on budget

• • Providing one point of contact and one warranty

In towns across Southern Illinois — from Marion, Carterville, and Herrin to Goreville, Benton, and Carbondale — this level of coordination can make or break a project.

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Southern Illinois Advantage: Many Services Done In-House

Unlike many general contractors, Integrity Built, Inc. has a strong in-house team of skilled tradesmen.
Depending on the project, we may not need outside subcontractors at all.
This gives Southern Illinois homeowners real advantages:

• Better quality control

• Faster scheduling with fewer delays

• Local tradesmen who know Southern Illinois homes

• Stronger communication and accountability

• A team that understands regional weather, aging homes, and soil conditions

When a project does require outside trades, we only partner with trusted, licensed professionals who serve our region and meet our standards.

 

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Why This Matters in Southern Illinois

Whether you’re updating an older home in Herrin, repairing storm damage in Marion, adding living space in Carterville, or building in the Lake of Egypt area — most projects involve multiple trades.

That means you’re not just hiring “a contractor.”

You need someone who can:

handle everything
coordinate the full scope
navigate local requirements
keep your project moving — rain or shine
protect your investment

That’s the role of a General Contractor, and it’s exactly what we provide.

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Integrity Built, Inc. — Southern Illinois Proud

We live here.
We work here.
We build here.

From small repairs to full renovations, we bring local experience, professional coordination, and in-house craftsmanship to every project.

Building with Integrity. Delivering with Experience — right here in Southern Illinois.