Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What is a general contractor?

When starting a home remodel or new construction project, you will probably hire a general contractor. A general contractor is a professional who is qualified to take a set of building plans and construct them as outlined. The general contractor may help perform the day-to-day building, or they may just hire workers and oversee all the work activities. In either case, the job of the general contractor is to see that your project gets built.

When you have a building project, ask for bids from various contractors. The bids tell you how much each will charge and what their scope of work will be. Once you have selected a bid, you sign a contract with that general contractor outlining the specifics of the project and the milestones during the project when they will receive payment installments. Once the contract is official, the general contractor will bring in their crew to begin construction. The contractor will manage the workers and subcontractors (anyone who doesn’t work directly for their company but that they need to outsource, like a marble installation pro), order all the materials, obtain work permits, and confirm that all the workers and subcontractors are completing their projects as planned. They typically handle all the payments to the workers and subcontractors, and send you invoice. For all these reasons, it’s also especially important to follow a few smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor. If you are organized and competent to oversee construction projects, and are able to make sure everything is being built properly and meeting code, it’s possible you can be your own general contractor.

How do you choose a commercial general contractor?

A commercial contractor provides similar services as a residential general contractor but specializes in working with large-scale projects for businesses, schools, nonprofits, governments and development firms. When researching commercial general contractors, review their portfolio of work and confirm they have ample experience working in the area you need. For example, if you are building a small strip mall, ask if the contractors have experience successfully incorporating all the needed elements such as a parking lot, meeting ADA requirements, accessing the proper permits, and completing work on time.

Once you’ve identified several qualified candidates, request bids for your project and then compare the scope of work with your needs and budget. Your commercial general contractor should oversee design, permitting, construction, materials purchase, and adherence to building code and zoning regulations, as well as sticking to an agreed-upon budget and schedule. It’s important to establish clear communication with your future commercial general contractor, as this will mean a smoother process for everyone. For all these reasons, it’s also especially important to follow a few smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor.

What do general contractors charge?

If you’re doing a home remodel, building a new home or embarking on a commercial building project, you’ll hire a general contractor. A general contractor is a professional who is qualified to oversee and execute construction projects. Each construction project is unique; even two duplicate homes built on lots next door to each other could have different construction costs due to factors like different excavation costs when building the foundation. Since each project is unique, many general contractors make bids on potential construction projects. These bids can then break down to a per square foot cost that encompasses the labor of all the workers needed for the job, materials, the scope of work, and any equipment needed. Materials and finishes make a major difference in your cost per square foot. For example, choosing standard kitchen tiles at $3 per square foot will result in a lower total project cost than imported marble tiles that cost $63 per square foot. Where you live will also affect how much general contractors charge, as labor and the cost to do business can cost less in many regions than in high-cost areas like New York or San Francisco. Here are some examples of average costs general contractors typically charge in various regions:

Home addition in San Francisco: $250-$270 per square foot.
New home construction in Knoxville, Tennessee: $100-$200 per square foot.
Kitchen remodel in Tennessee: $40-$80 per square foot, depending on finishes.
Bathroom remodel in Vancouver, Washington: $110-$170 per square foot.

Be sure to check out our smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor.

Philippe J.

Verified review

Arisel handled a small hardwood repair job in our kitchen. First I'm grateful that he offered his services. Many contractors only bid big jobs. Second he followed on his commitments to me, being on time and following up the next day with a touch up. I did not have to follow up. He was good to work with. Third I think he did an excellent job with the conditions he had to deal with. I recommend him.

Connie V.

Matthew Kelly is hardworking and honest. He strives to make the job go as well as possible. After other contractors said no or did not return my calls, he responded quickly on the weekend, and he completed the job in a timely manner. Matthew's operation is lean and responsive. He is pleasant to work with and has my recommendation.

Justin L.

I've been wanting to convert my living room into a bedroom, but I didn't know who to hire. I asked around and a lot of contractors asked for too much money, around $1,000-$2,000 just for a door installation. I hired Slavik because he gave me the best quote. He arrived the very next day to inspect my apartment and gave me a few options. Slavik and his team installed the door in record time and they did an outstanding job making sure it fits and functions properly. I couldn't have asked for a better job, plus the cost was reasonably affordable. These guys are the best! I'll be hiring Slavik as my trusted contractor for all my future renovations.

Christina E.

I've literally communicated with or contacted at least five contractors over the past two months to complete this flooring job. Salinas was an answer to prayer! Whereas other sites or contractors told me to wait and/or never got back to me or took others jobs, Vyron responded promptly within an hour when I posted the job on Thumbtack. Vyron and Pablo did excellent work putting down a new subfloor and plywood, then installing an LVP (see photos) and a new toilet (not pictured). Vyron communicated about every step of repair and installation and about every purchase for the job. He takes pride in his work and left the work area clean. I'm so glad that the job is finished and that it was done well.

Ben F.

I hired Jasper from My Apartment Is Better Than Yours. I think they did a terrific job at a very reasonable price. I'm really pleased that I decided to go with them. I had a number of unusual carpentry tasks to complete when I moved to my new place. The windows were old and the wood was irregular and moldy, so the wood around the antique glass panels needed to be replaced. I was told those windows hadn't been opened in 40 years, but now they work perfectly and you'd never know the wood wasn't original. Also, several doorways lacked doors when I moved in, and were unusual rounded shapes cut into the stucco without doorframes. Jasper was able to make me custom doors with antique iron-wrought handles, and they look awesome. I also needed threshholds worked on, cabinets put up, new benches made for my roof deck, a custom projector and screen put in, antique chandeliers installed, a lock repaired... and I'm probably forgetting one or two things. They are in the process of putting the finishing touches on my humidor (they had to build me custom legs for it), and it's going to look spectacular. Anyway, they knocked it all out of the park. They were prompt and clean and didn't cause much of a disturbance despite all the work they were doing. They'll be my go-to for anything I need done in the future. I definitely recommend them.

Ann N.

John Cullen was great to work with. I had to call on him with a tight time line for my project and he delivered as promised. He was punctual with his proposal and showed up on on time. His lath and plaster pass the city inspection with no problems. His finished stucco work matched my existing style of exterior stucco seamlessly. Him and his crew were respectful and professional. They left my house clean. I would highly recommend him.

Francisco S.

Working with Juan was a terrific experience. He is very transparent about setting expectations: what is he going to do, how is going to do it and how long will it take. He will get the work done in a timely and clean manner. We were able to book him in advance (which was about 2 weeks prior) but I understand he will do his best to accommodate clients on a shorter notice. If you have been struggling with other handymen/contractors (as I was!) I truly recommend you to use Juan's services - he is super easy to work with and very reliable.

Gayle M.

I was helping my daughter find a contractor for siding replacement. Carlos contacted me soon after my request for quotes. I asked him questions more than once, since my daughter kept coming up with more. Carlos was very responsive, answering the questions quickly and professionally. Even though my daughter decided on another contractor, you can't not notice an obvious regard for the customer that will more than likely be reflected in his work.

Lynda P.

I love Eli, Shmuel and the entire team at Lifetime Remodeling. We had an unexpected leak in the master bath that slowly destroyed our kitchen ceiling. They made an assessment, remodeled the bathroom, fixed the kitchen (and put in money saving/beautiful recessed lights), and left us very happy. When we encountered a problem with the plumbing, most other contractors would have taken advantage and hiked the price. But, they were so professional and everything was still finished on time and in-budget. (My friends tell me that never happens. So now I refer all of them to Lifetime.)

Natallia S.

I hired them to lay the engineered bamboo floor in my condo. They did exactly what promised and in the time they originally specified. I have been doing remidelling and construction of my rentals and my resident for the last 10 years and very much familiar with the business. Out if many contractors or handymen i met Jason and Regina are the outstanding team. They work fast, they are very proactive and attentive to details. And their price was reasonable. What is the most important for me is that they do listen to my suggestions - not like many macho style contractors:). The floor work looks absolutely great and i am very happy. So that i would like to hire them for other work on my rental property.

Thumbtack Customer

I wanted to replace two old aluminum windows and a sliding glass door in a condo rental unit located on the third floor. Everyone I contacted to do the work seemed less than enthusiastic until I found Cal Coast and they were great from start to finish...a real pleasure to work with. My wife and I didn't care too much for the look of retrofit windows so we opted for Milgard double hung vinyl windows and sliding glass door for new construction which entails removing the stucco around the window and door in order to remove the old aluminum frame. The installers, Manny and Manuel, were very pleasant to work with, very professional and I was very happy with the excellent job they did. They were able to install the windows and door in one day. The next morning the building inspector came and signed off their work and then in the afternoon they finished patching the stucco and the installation was complete. And as a nice bonus, they stuccoed (at no charge) the hole left from removing an old thru the wall air conditioner. We are so pleased with the result that we are now planning to have Cal Coast replace the windows in our home.

Juan C.

Working with Steve Rodarte / D.B.R Solutions was a pleasant experience. His attention to detail and willingness to provide quality work is a thing of the past for most contractors,but not with D.B.R Solutions. I am looking forward to working with D.B.R Solutions on my future projects and would not hesitate recommending him to anyone else that is looking for Quality Workmanship!

Skye L.

I'm a new homeowner in Oakland and needed an engineers help with drafting my floorplan for bathroom addition permits. I decided to hire individual contractors without paying the fees of a General Contractor. Oh did I get lucky to have found Mike who not only provided excellent service in drafting but also offered his expertise on design and construction. Mike assisted with my brainstorming and troubleshooting process beyond what I had expected. He was knowledgeable about city regulations and offered sound advice on where to locate fixtures. I appreciate working with Mike to jumpstart the project and would highly recommend him for drafting and engineering services.

Hanna G.

Sergey and the Wise Stage crew are the best contractor team I've ever worked with. Sergey was honest, responsive, and stayed on time and in budget. We had a complicated bathroom addition that included structural changes, plumbing, tiling, windows, electrical and more. They delivered a beautiful and high quality bathroom for us at a significantly lower price than other quotes we received. I give Sergey my highest recommendation. They are the best.

Isaac K.

After getting quotes from several contractors, I ultimately chose to work with Tom and Gal to remodel my bathroom. Tom arrived for the estimate with an easy going, friendly demeanor. He gave a positive first impression, giving an objective assessment of the apartment's condition and work that would be required for the job. The quote that was emailed later that evening was better than the rest by a significant margin. In the next phase of the project, I deal with Gal. All details of the project were agreed upon, including the scope of work. During the 14 days of work, I stopped by numerous times . Tom was friendly, hard working, and professional - he completed the whole project smooth and without any issues. After a final inspection, a few touch ups were required, but were completed on the following morning without question. The final results were very nice and clean. Tom went above and beyond by doing some extra work that was requested during the project. He took down an existing chandelier and installed a new light fixture in the living room. Due to poor design, the install was not as straight forward as it should've been. Tom stayed late with his team on the final day to finish installing it for me, which was very much appreciated. I highly recommend Tom and Gal - they are a great team, down to earth in dealing with people, and will come through on their word for your project.

Tim C.

Abraham did a great job on covering two brick chimneys with stucco to match the rest of my house. He also removed and relaid a paver stone walkway that the original landscape contractor did improperly. His price was good as was his workmanship and professionalism. I would use him again and I am comfortable recommending him if you have similar work requirements.

Annette T.

Sebastian was very conscious regarding scheduling sub-contractors. He and his workers were here every day. They also cleaned up every day. Workmanship was great. I would definitely hire him again.

Ali A.

Daniel and crew were amazing! They renovated our entire house; kitchen, two full baths, one half bath, new interior/exterior paint,refinished hardwood floors and installed new hardwood in kitchen to blend perfectly with existing hardwood. I made a few changes to the original plan, and Daniel was extremely accommodating! I could not be happier with the end result. We ended up needing to complete the project sooner than anticipated and John sent reinforcements to finish everything up, again EXTREMELY accommodating. Their quality of work is wonderful, especially their tile work since we choose some more challenging ptterns and tiles to work with. Will definitely use them again.

San Mateo, CA412 Stucco Contractors near you

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San Mateo Stucco Contractors

Philippe J.

Connie V.

Justin L.

Christina E.

JEFFREY D.

Ben F.

Thumbtack Customer

Ann N.

Francisco S.

Gayle M.

Lynda P.

Natallia S.

Thumbtack Customer

Juan C.

Skye L.

Hanna G.

Isaac K.

Tim C.

Max G.

Annette T.

Ali A.

What is a general contractor?

How do you choose a commercial general contractor?

What do general contractors charge?

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