A remodel is likely to be one of the largest checks you write for your home. This guide explains how to scope a project, compare general contractors in your area and keep the job on budget.
Typical general contracting costs
National ballpark ranges for planning only — not quotes. What you pay depends on scope, materials, access and your local market, so always compare written estimates.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | $8,000 โ $30,000 |
| Kitchen remodel | $15,000 โ $60,000+ |
| Room addition | $80 โ $200+ per sq ft |
| Basement finishing | $20 โ $50 per sq ft |
| Contractor management fee | Often 10% โ 20% of project cost |
How general contracting needs vary by region
Climate changes what matters most, what fails first and when to book. Find your region below.
| Region | What changes |
|---|---|
| Hot & humid South AL, AR, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX | Moisture control, ventilation and storm-resistant construction matter for remodels in this region. Ask how the contractor manages permits and inspections. |
| Hot & dry Southwest AZ, NM, NV | Heat affects scheduling and materials in this region; ask how the crew plans exterior work during extreme temperatures. |
| Mixed / four-season DC, DE, KS, KY, MD, MO, NC, OK, TN, VA, WV | Remodeling in this region typically involves local permits and inspections. Ask the contractor to pull permits in their own name. |
| Cold North & Mountain AK, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WI, WY | Construction seasons in this region are shaped by winter. Ask how weather delays are handled in the contract. |
| Mild West Coast CA, OR, WA | Permit and inspection timelines in this region vary by city. Ask how long permits currently take before you set a schedule. |
How to hire the right general contractor
- Define the scope and budget, including a contingency of 10โ20% for surprises.
- Collect three or more detailed bids with itemized costs and clear allowances.
- Check license, insurance, references and recent project photos.
- Confirm who pulls permits, and the schedule for inspections.
- Use a written contract with a payment schedule tied to completed work, not dates.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed in your state and insured?
- Who is on site day-to-day, and how often will you update me?
- What is included in each allowance, and how are overages handled?
- How are change orders priced and approved?
- Will you provide lien waivers as you are paid?
Red flags to watch for
- A large up-front payment far beyond a modest deposit.
- No written contract or vague scope.
- No permits for work that requires them.
- Reluctance to provide references or insurance.
Licensing and verification
Contractor licensing is handled at the state level in many states and locally in others, and permits are generally required for structural, electrical and plumbing work. Verify with your state's licensing authority and your local building department.
Licensing by state
Who issues the license in each state we cover, and where to check one. City pages add the rules, thresholds, local permit office, firm counts and wages.
| State | Licensed by | Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery | Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) | Check a license |
| Alaska Anchorage | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors Program) | Check a license |
| Arizona Phoenix, Tucson | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) | Check a license |
| Arkansas Little Rock | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing) | Check a license |
| California Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fontana, Fresno +11 more | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Check a license |
| Colorado Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Florida Cape Coral, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando +3 more | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) | Check a license |
| Georgia Atlanta, Macon, Savannah | State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Georgia Secretary of State) | Check a license |
| Hawaii Honolulu | Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Check a license |
| Idaho Boise | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Contractors Board | Check a license |
| Illinois Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Indiana Fort Wayne, Indianapolis | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Iowa Des Moines | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) โ Contractor Registration | — |
| Kansas Overland Park, Wichita | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Kentucky Lexington, Louisville | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Louisiana Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) | Check a license |
| Maryland Baltimore | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) | Check a license |
| Massachusetts Boston, Worcester | Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (HIC registration); Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Construction Supervisor License) | Check a license |
| Michigan Detroit, Grand Rapids | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes | Check a license |
| Minnesota Minneapolis, St. Paul | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) | Check a license |
| Mississippi Jackson | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) | Check a license |
| Missouri Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Nebraska Lincoln, Omaha | Nebraska Department of Labor (Contractor Registration) | Check a license |
| Nevada Las Vegas, Reno | Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) | Check a license |
| New Jersey Jersey City, Paterson | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs | Check a license |
| New Mexico Albuquerque | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) | Check a license |
| New York Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Syracuse +1 more | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| North Carolina Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro +2 more | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) | Check a license |
| Ohio Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus +2 more | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Tulsa | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Oregon Eugene, Portland | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) | Check a license |
| Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General | Check a license |
| Rhode Island Providence | Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB), Department of Business Regulation | Check a license |
| South Carolina Columbia | South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR) | Check a license |
| South Dakota Sioux Falls | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Tennessee Chattanooga, Clarksville, Knoxville, Murfreesboro +1 more | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) | Check a license |
| Texas Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas +8 more | Local (cities and counties) | — |
| Utah Salt Lake City | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Department of Commerce | Check a license |
| Virginia Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond +1 more | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors | Check a license |
| Washington Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) | Check a license |
| Washington, D.C. Washington | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | — |
| Wisconsin Madison, Milwaukee | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | Check a license |
Compiled from official state agency and state bar sites, checked November 15, 2026.
When to schedule
Good contractors book out weeks or months. Start planning and collecting bids well before you want work to begin.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I put down?
Many states cap deposits; ask your state's rules and tie later payments to progress. Avoid paying the majority up front.
What is a change order?
A written modification to the scope and price. Insist that all changes be agreed in writing before work proceeds.
Do I need permits?
Many remodels do. A reputable contractor will pull permits in their own name and schedule inspections.
General Contracting by city
Local notes for 155 cities — licensing bodies, climate and seasonal timing.
General Contracting in New York, NYGeneral Contracting in Los Angeles, CAGeneral Contracting in Chicago, ILGeneral Contracting in Houston, TXGeneral Contracting in Phoenix, AZGeneral Contracting in Philadelphia, PAGeneral Contracting in San Antonio, TXGeneral Contracting in San Diego, CAGeneral Contracting in Dallas, TXGeneral Contracting in San Jose, CAGeneral Contracting in Austin, TXGeneral Contracting in Jacksonville, FLGeneral Contracting in Fort Worth, TXGeneral Contracting in Columbus, OHGeneral Contracting in Charlotte, NCGeneral Contracting in San Francisco, CAGeneral Contracting in Indianapolis, INGeneral Contracting in Seattle, WAGeneral Contracting in Denver, COGeneral Contracting in Washington, DCGeneral Contracting in Boston, MAGeneral Contracting in El Paso, TXGeneral Contracting in Nashville, TNGeneral Contracting in Detroit, MIGeneral Contracting in Oklahoma City, OK
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AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any specific business, and nothing here is professional advice. Cost ranges are national ballparks and are not quotes. Always verify licences, insurance and references yourself.