General Contractors & Remodelers near you: costs, licensing & how to hire
Kitchens, baths, additions and big repairs — one licensed pro who runs the whole job. Below: what general contractors do, what they cost, how to check a license, and the questions to ask before you hire.
What general contractors do
The jobs people hire general contractors for most.
Kitchen remodels
Cabinets, counters, plumbing and electrical, coordinated as one job.
Bathroom remodels
Showers, tile, vanities, ventilation and accessibility upgrades.
Additions and garages
New rooms, second stories and detached buildings.
Basement finishing
Framing, insulation, egress windows and moisture control.
Major repairs
Water, fire or storm damage and structural fixes.
Permits and inspections
Pulling permits and meeting the inspector, so the work is legal.
How much do general contractors cost?
Typical national price ranges. Prices in your town will vary, so always get a written quote.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GC fee | 10% – 20% | Of total construction cost |
| Hourly rate | $50 – $150 | For smaller jobs |
| Kitchen remodel | $12,800 – $21,200 | Includes $1,300–$4,300 in GC fees |
| Bathroom remodel | $5,500 – $15,000 | Includes $550–$3,000 in GC fees |
Source: HomeGuide general contractor cost (2023). Checked 2026-10-03.
Does a general contractor need a license?
Most states license or register general contractors through a state board. California requires a license for any job of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a permit. Oregon requires every paid contractor to be licensed, and residential contractors must carry a $25,000 bond and $500,000 in liability insurance. Use your state's lookup below before you sign anything.
Sources: California CSLB: unlicensed work limit raised to $1,000 (AB 2622) · Oregon CCB: who needs a license
Show the licensing board for every state
| State | Contractor licensing agency | Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors | Look it up → |
| Alaska | Alaska Dept of Commerce — Construction Contractors | Look it up → |
| Arizona | Arizona Registrar of Contractors | Look it up → |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board | Look it up → |
| California | California Contractors State License Board | Look it up → |
| Colorado | Municipal — varies by jurisdiction | Look it up → |
| Connecticut | CT Department of Consumer Protection | Look it up → |
| Delaware | Delaware Division of Revenue | Look it up → |
| Florida | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board | Look it up → |
| Georgia | Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors | Look it up → |
| Idaho | Idaho Contractors Board | Look it up → |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | Look it up → |
| Indiana | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Iowa | Iowa Division of Labor — Contractor Registration | Look it up → |
| Kansas | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Kentucky | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Louisiana | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors | Look it up → |
| Maine | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Maryland | Maryland Home Improvement Commission | Look it up → |
| Massachusetts | MA Office of Consumer Affairs — Home Improvement Contractor Registration | Look it up → |
| Michigan | Michigan Residential Builders Board | Look it up → |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry | Look it up → |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Contractors | Look it up → |
| Missouri | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Montana | Montana Department of Labor and Industry | Look it up → |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Labor | Look it up → |
| Nevada | Nevada State Contractors Board | Look it up → |
| New Hampshire | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| New Jersey | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs | Look it up → |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Construction Industries Division | Look it up → |
| New York | County / municipal — Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, NYC each have boards | Look it up → |
| North Carolina | NC Licensing Board for General Contractors | Look it up → |
| North Dakota | ND Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing | Look it up → |
| Ohio | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Oklahoma | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Pennsylvania | PA Office of Attorney General | Look it up → |
| Rhode Island | RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board | Look it up → |
| South Carolina | SC Residential Builders Commission | Look it up → |
| South Dakota | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Tennessee | TN Board for Licensing Contractors | Look it up → |
| Texas | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
| Utah | Utah DOPL | Look it up → |
| Vermont | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation | Look it up → |
| Virginia | Virginia Board for Contractors | Look it up → |
| Washington | WA Department of Labor and Industries | Look it up → |
| West Virginia | WV Contractor Licensing Board | Look it up → |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin DSPS | Look it up → |
| Wyoming | Municipal — varies | Look it up → |
Agency list from public state sources. Whether a license is needed depends on the job size and type, so check the agency's rules before you hire.
Good to know
- If you sign a contract at your home instead of the contractor's place of business, federal rules generally give you 3 business days to cancel, and the contract must say so (FTC).
- U.S. homeowners are projected to spend about $518 billion on improvements and repairs by the end of 2026 (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies).
Questions to ask a general contractor before you hire
Ask these on the phone or at the estimate. A good pro answers every one without dodging.
- What's your license number, and is it active for this kind of work?
- Will you pull the permits and meet the inspector?
- Which parts go to subcontractors, and how do you make sure they get paid?
- What's the payment schedule, and what does each payment cover?
- How do you handle changes and price increases?
Red flags to watch for
Warning signs from consumer protection agencies and trade groups.
- They pressure you to decide today. Source
- They push you to borrow from a lender they know. Source
- They want all or most of the money up front. Some states cap deposits. Source
- They ask you to get the permits, which can mean they aren't licensed. Source
If you get scammed, report it to your state attorney general's consumer protection office and at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Find general contractors by state
Pick your state, then your town, to see general contractors near you.
Why find general contractors on Great Local Pros?
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We check the business, the license where your state requires one, and that someone answers the phone before we list them. See our standards.
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Are you a general contractor?
Most towns don't have a general contractor listed yet. Get a free profile page with your phone number, services, service area and a link to your website, with no lead fees. If you're licensed where required, insured and quick to answer, you'll fit right in.
Common questions about hiring general contractors
How much does a general contractor charge?
How do I check a contractor's license?
How much should I pay up front?
Do I need a contract?
Can I cancel a contract I signed at home?
Sources
- HomeGuide general contractor cost (2023)
- California CSLB: unlicensed work limit raised to $1,000 (AB 2622)
- Oregon CCB: who needs a license
- How to avoid a home improvement scam (FTC)
- Remodeling outlook (Harvard JCHS)
- Home improvement contracts: down payment limits (California CSLB)
Last checked 2026-10-03. Great Local Pros is a directory; we don't do the work or guarantee it. Terms.