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General Contractors Near You
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The average cost to hire a general contractor is around $4,000, but the price can range from around $200 up to $60,000 or more, depending on the scope of your project. Generally speaking, you can expect to add between 10% and 20% of your project cost to your total if you hire a general contractor. These pros often bid jobs based on the total project and not on a per-hour basis, but those that do charge hourly usually cost between $50 and $200 per hour, depending on their expertise and experience.
If you hire subcontractors to do all of the work and coordinate the jobs, then yes, you can act as your own general contractor. However, most municipalities don’t allow homeowners to lead construction, demolition, or dangerous projects like electrical and plumbing work. A professional general contractor will have greater freedom to complete the work on your home. Most general contractors complete at least some of the work in-house, meaning you are not typically allowed to do everything a general contractor would.
In most states and municipalities, general contractors must be licensed to complete work on your home. You should always work with a licensed general contractor because the work they complete is top-notch and they tend to be less expensive than a general contractor that subcontracts the work and upcharges each line item. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that a general contractor holds the necessary licenses in your area.
Choosing a general contractor is an important decision, especially since they will be responsible for your entire renovation project, which could total tens of thousands of dollars. We recommend asking the following questions to qualify a professional and make sure you’re hiring a true expert:
Will you subcontract any of the work? If so, how much?
Will you pull all necessary permits for the job?
How long do you expect the project to take?
Do you offer a warranty for your work?
Are you fully licensed and insured?
Do you have any customer references I can call?
In most cases, a general contractor is well worth the investment. The cost of hiring a general contractor adds about 20% to your total project cost, but they carry out a few key responsibilities that you would otherwise have to do yourself or find a separate contractor for:
Choosing reliable contractors for each portion of the project
Coordinating the work
Accurately estimating waste and project timelines
Pulling or coordinating permits for each portion of the work
Working with individual workers
Returning unused materials after the job is complete
Paying individual contractors
How much do general contractors near me cost?
Most homeowners spend to $300 between $400 each day for general contractors. However, each cost is different.
General contractors typically take a certain percentage of the entire cost of the project (10-20% in most cases). Some may charge by the hour or may implement a fixed cost regardless of the type of project they’re overseeing.
The cost will vary depending on the specific project as well as the role of the contractor. For example, general contractors who are also doing some of the work themselves may charge both a fixed percentage cost for overseeing the project as well as an hourly rate for their specific duties.
What projects require a general contractor?
General contractors come in handy during complex projects such as kitchen, bathroom or basement remodeling. Such projects often involve a combination of plumbing repairs, interior design, floor renovations and even electrical work.
General contractors will subcontract and coordinate the activities of plumbers, electricians and other contractors who will work on your home. A general contractor will come in handy to coordinate the activities of various service providers and serves as the main point of contact to ensure that all other subcontractors are carrying out their duties as expected.
In addition to making such projects easier to carry out, general contractors may also make complex projects more affordable for homeowners. They know which subcontractors to work with who may offer quality services at a competitive cost. In addition, a good general contractor near you will also ensure that the project is done to the quality and standards that you expect.