How much do local general contractors charge?

General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the total construction cost, known as "cost-plus." Some building contractors charge a flat fee based on the project but rarely charge an hourly rate. Home improvement contractors pay on your behalf for all materials, subcontractors, services, and permits.

What does a residential general contractor do?

Licensed general contractors manage and coordinate the entire building process. A general contractor estimates the job, provides the materials and tools, and hires specialized subcontractors for the construction work. Remodeling contractors can perform electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or build a house

Why use a general building contractor?

A general contractor saves you time, resolves any problems, and ensures the construction follows code requirements. General contractors have a network of experienced, licensed, and insured subcontractors to properly build any project. Home contractors also source all the materials, tools, and permits and pay for them on your behalf. Common projects to hire a licensed general contractor are home, bathroom, kitchen, and basement remodeling.

How do I find a good general contractor?

Start by searching our list of construction companies near you . After finding contractors in your area: Get at least three estimates from building contractors to compare. Ask for references and to see a portfolio of their past work. Verify their insurance, worker’s compensation, and bond guarantees. Call references, read their reviews, and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google. Ask about their warranties and guarantees. Ask for a full itemized contract in writing in case of a dispute. Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for work completed.

What questions to ask a general contractor before hiring?

Ask these questions upfront before hiring: How long have you been a general contractor? How many similar projects have you built? Can you provide me with a list of references? Can I see your portfolio? Are you licensed, insured, and bonded? Have there been any lawsuits against your company? How do you handle damages that happen on the job? Who's the project manager? What qualities do you look for in subcontractors? What hours do you and your crew work? How long will the project take? What permits do I need, and will you obtain them? What does your warranty policy include? Can you provide me a written estimate or contract with a breakdown of all costs? What is the structure of the payment agreements? Do you offer in-house financing? What do I need to provide to get started?

Do general contractors need insurance?

A general contractor assumes responsibility for the project and should be licensed and insured. Ask for a potential contractor's license number and proof of insurance before hiring. Ask your local building department for licensing requirements, then verify the licensing on the state's licensing board website.

The 10 Best General Contractors in Fontana, CA (2025)

Prestige Home Building

5.0(1)

1 hire on HomeGuide

15+ years in business

Serves Fontana, CA

Richard L. says, " Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Contacted Prestige to complete a bathroom remodel and because the estimate was very reasonable I had them repair some drywall and install wood flooring in our bedroom. And since that estimate was more than reasonable, I had them finish an add-on I started but couldn’t find the time to finish. They finished the drywall, framed a closet and installed the baseboards and door trim. They also re-roofed the add on as well and tarred all of the exhaust vents on the roof. Hector, the foreman was on top of everything. He and the other employees, David, Fernando, Felipe and Jose all began each day 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time. They kept the “work dust” to a minimum by installing temporary plastic shields and paper flooring every day. The employees worked very hard with hardly a break except for lunch. Hector asked questions throughout the project to ensure our satisfaction. I have good knowledge of flooring and tiling procedures and I can tell you the work done here was great! Little details not known to normal consumers did not go unnoticed to me. The employees were professional and each wore Prestige work shirts everyday. They swept up everyday and left no trash behind (I’ve read horror stories about other company’s employees leaving their lunch trash behind at the worksites). Great employees for a great company. I feel very confident in recommending them to anybody who is in need of a remodel or any other construction needs." Read more