What does a general contractor actually charge for?

Most GCs mark up subcontractor and material costs by 15% to 25% as their overhead and profit fee, in exchange for pulling permits, scheduling every trade, carrying liability insurance, and standing behind the finished work under warranty.

Can I act as my own general contractor to save money?

Yes, this is usually called owner-building. It can save the GC's markup, but you take on the scheduling, the permits, and the liability yourself, and most owner-builders find it takes real time each week for the length of the project.

Do I need a licensed GC to pull a permit?

Many jurisdictions let a homeowner pull an owner-builder permit for their own primary residence, but some project types such as electrical, plumbing, or gas work often still require a licensed sub to pull their own permit even if you are the general contractor of record. Confirm with your local building department before you start.

How do I vet a general contractor?

Confirm their license and insurance directly with your state licensing board, ask for 3 recent references you can call, and get a written contract with a payment schedule tied to completed phases rather than a large upfront deposit.

PROJECT GUIDE · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026

General Contracting Cost & Project Guide

Everything for your General Contracting in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.

NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026

HIRE A PRO

$65,000–$180,000

DIY COST

$50,000–$145,000

Typical project: Mid-size whole-home renovation: a kitchen and bathroom remodel plus a room addition, coordinated across 4-6 subcontractors

Skill levelAdvancedAnyone can take this on. The Blueprint walks you through it, step by step.

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Exact cost by zip →Tools & materials →Find a pro →

Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data

Plan your General Contracting

A quick checklist to get from idea to done. Want it as a printable PDF? Grab the full free version, emailed to you.

1Set a realistic budget using the cost range above.
2Check whether your project needs a permit in your state.
3Decide DIY or hire (see the breakdown below).
4Make your materials and tools list.
5If hiring, get three quotes and compare them like-for-like.
6Plan the timeline and order materials with a 10 percent buffer.

Get the full free General Contracting checklist, emailed as a PDF →

Tools and materials for a General Contracting

What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.

Materials

Building permit package (plan review + inspections) · 1
Builder's risk insurance rider · 1 policy
Dumpster rental (20-30 yd, full renovation) · 2
Portable toilet rental (multi-week job) · 1 month

Tools

Project schedule (spreadsheet or scheduling app) · you likely own
Tape measure and laser level · you likely own
Moisture meter (for framing and drywall checks) · rent or buy

See all the tools and materials worth buying →

Pro tips for your General Contracting

The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.

Underestimating how much time daily coordination takes; most owner-builders describe it as a part-time job for the length of the project

Not carrying builder's risk insurance, since a standard homeowner's policy usually will not cover an open renovation

Skipping lien waivers, leaving you exposed if a sub does not pay their own supplier or crew

Sequencing trades out of order, which forces expensive rework

Treating a GC's markup as pure profit, when it also covers scheduling, warranty, and being the one legally on the hook

Should you DIY or hire for General Contracting?

It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.

When DIY makes sense

→You have trade-level experience or have completed this type of project before
→You own or can rent the specialized tools required
→You've read the local code requirements and understand the permit process
→A trusted helper with relevant experience is available for the critical phases

When to hire

→The project involves significant fall risk, high voltage, or gas lines
→Your jurisdiction requires a licensed contractor, no exceptions
→A DIY mistake could void your homeowner's insurance or mortgage terms
→You lack the specialized tools and can't justify renting them for a one-time job
→The project scope is large enough that crew efficiency outweighs DIY savings

DifficultyHard

Advanced, but within reach with the right prep. The Blueprint covers the safety-critical phases step by step, and a pro is there if you would rather not.

Not planning to DIY? Find a local General Contracting pro →

What drives the cost of General Contracting

Materials

The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Full-service GC (single contract, the GC subcontracts and manages everything) and Owner-builder / self-managed (you hire and coordinate each sub directly) sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include building permit package, builder's risk insurance rider, dumpster rental, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.

Labor

BLS occupational wage data shows interior-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most general contracting jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.

Site conditions

Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.

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General Contracting cost in your state

General Contracting cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.

General Contracting cost in Michigan →General Contracting cost in California →General Contracting cost in Texas →General Contracting cost in Florida →General Contracting cost in New York →General Contracting cost in Pennsylvania →General Contracting cost in Ohio →General Contracting cost in Georgia →

See all home improvement costs by state →