2024's Best General Contractors in California

Choosing the best general contractor is critical when it comes to building or improving your home. To help you sort through all of the options, Best of the Web makes it easy to find top-rated professional contractors in your area. Here you can read reviews and see which contractors in your area other people recommend. That way you can pick the best one for the job.

Top General Contractor Services

General contractors oversee construction projects. They hire subcontractors to do any work that needs done, facilitate communication between the property owners and workers, and keep an eye on the project schedule. 

Here are some of the most common projects that you’ll need a general contractor to manage. 

• Building a house
• Putting an addition on a house
• Remodeling a bathroom
• Remodeling a kitchen
• Building a deck

Cost Guide for General Contractors

General contractors typically charge a certain percentage of your project budget. This means that you’ll pay a lot more for a general contractor to help build a whole house than you would if they were simply managing construction of a new deck for your existing home. 

Here are several estimates of what you can expect to pay a general contractor for common projects.

• Building a house
  • National Average Cost: $125 per square foot
  • Low End Cost: $90 per square foot
  • High End Cost: $250 per square foot

• Putting an addition on a house
  • National Average Cost: $140 per square foot
  • Low End Cost: $80 per square foot
  • High End Cost: $200 per square foot 

• Remodeling a bathroom
  • National Average Cost: $10,942
  • Low End Cost: $3,500
  • High End Cost: $16,370

• Remodeling a kitchen
  • National Average Cost: $22,134
  • Low End Cost: $12,000
  • High End Cost: $34,962

• Building a deck
  • National Average Cost: $6,000
  • Low End Cost: $4,000
  • High End Cost: $11,000 

Tips for Hiring a General Contractor 

Here are some important things to keep in mind when choosing which general contractor to hire.

1. Research and read recommendations. Check out the best contractors in your area on Best of the Web and take the time to read the reviews and recommendations that people left.
2. Speak with several general contractors and take careful notes during your conversations. Ask them about their experience, their estimated workload at the time of your project, and their rates and payment schedules.
3. Don’t make your decision on price alone. After you interview a few contractors, be wary of the one charging the lowest rates, especially if it seems quite a bit cheaper than their competitors’. The lower the rate, the more likely that they will cut corners on your project.

The best place to start your search for a general contractor is right here with Best of the Web. We’ll help you weed out the scammers and unprofessional contractors so that you can talk to the most qualified candidates in your area.

FAQ

Is it worth hiring a general contractor, or should I do it myself? 

Not every project needs a general contractor. However, be careful not to get in over your head trying to save yourself a little money. This can backfire and result in you getting fined for breaking code, or overpaying for materials or services you’re not familiar with. 

If your project is going to take more than a week to complete, requires multiple tradespeople, or involves local building codes, it’s a good idea to hire a professional.

What should you look for in a general contractor? 

Make sure that your general contractor is licensed and insured, and don’t just take their word for it. Double check with your state’s licensing authority to make sure that everything is valid. 

How much should I pay a contractor upfront? 

Every general contractor works on their own payment schedule, so your upfront fees will vary. Some states place a limit on how much you can pay in advance, so research and learn the laws in your state. As a general rule, you can expect to pay between 10-25% of the total project cost upfront, although this may vary.