General Contractors
Compare 509 general contractors across 51 states — averaging 5★ from 38,433 verified Google reviews. Pick your state to see local firms with ratings, service areas, and licensing rules. No lead fees.
A general contractor (GC) runs your whole project: hiring and scheduling subs, pulling permits, and owning the budget and timeline. Expect to pay a GC 10% to 20% of construction cost for that management, and most states require a licensed GC above a dollar threshold that ranges from about $500 to $50,000.
General Contractors by State
How to Hire General Contractors in 2026
Hire a GC for anything involving multiple trades, structural work, or permits: additions, remodels, and ground-up builds. For a single-trade job, hire that trade directly and skip the markup. Always confirm the license number on your state board's website and ask for a certificate of insurance that names you as additionally insured.
Get at least three written bids on the same scope so you are comparing like for like. The lowest bid is a warning sign as often as the highest, since it usually hides missing scope that returns as a change order. Tie payments to completed milestones, never pay more than 10% up front, and collect lien waivers from subs before releasing final payment.
General Contractors FAQs
How much does a general contractor charge?
Most GCs charge 10% to 20% of total construction cost for management and overhead, or a fixed fee on smaller jobs. On a $100,000 remodel that is roughly $10,000 to $20,000. Cost-plus contracts bill actual costs plus a percentage; fixed-price contracts lock the number but build in contingency.
Do general contractors need a license?
In most states, yes, above a project-cost threshold that varies widely: some states license any job over $500, others only above $25,000 or more. A few states have no state GC license and leave it to local jurisdictions. Verify the license on your state contractor board before signing.
What should I ask a general contractor before hiring?
Ask for the license number, proof of general liability and workers' comp insurance, three recent references, a written scope and payment schedule, and who the subs are. Confirm they pull the permits and that the contract includes a start date, a completion date, and a change-order process.
How do I avoid getting scammed by a contractor?
Never pay in full up front, avoid cash-only deals, and be wary of door-to-door offers or prices far below other bids. Verify the license and insurance yourself, get everything in writing, and withhold final payment until you have signed lien waivers from every sub and supplier.
Directory refreshed April 2026. Listings sourced from public business data; confirm licensing and insurance directly with each firm.