Find a general contractor in Washington, DC

Find general contractors in Washington, DC

Q: 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.

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Find general contractors in Washington, DC

Confirm your location to see the best general contractors near you.

Zip code

Top 10 general contractors in Washington, DC

Homeowners agree: these Washington general contractors are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Your General Contracting questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.

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.

Reviews for Washington general contractors

Recent success stories from people in the Washington area.

Mr. M.

I just wanted to extend my sincerest satisfaction to your company. From the beginning, your manager John provided an awesome demonstration of the quality windows you provide. The Capital Remodeling Inc. installers were superb and very prompt. They installed 8 windows in my residence on time and the quality of the workmanship they provided significantly enhanced my house. Lastly, the follow up courtesy call was very considerate and helpful. She ensured I had no issues with any aspect of the job and the quality of the windows. Again, please accept my deepest appreciation for a job well done to your employees. Great job Capital Remodeling Inc.

Capital Remodeling Inc.

Sharon O.

We had a messy water problem that needed a fast fix! The water leaked from my home to the lady who lived below. I searched on the internet to find someone to help what I needed to fix it, and I did! Home Improvement Solution was my choice and it was just what we needed! Emington Rodriguez and his crew came to the rescue. They knew exactly what to do and they were the ones to take care of it. They knew what was needed and how to and when. They did an excellent job and we are all happy with the results!

Home Improvements LLC

Jason M.

Great work, Godspeed LLC. Very responsible team and on time. I couldn't be happier with my basement, new drywall and painting.

Godspeed LLC

Billy M.

Switch and Outlet Installation Ran two dedicated outlets and added two breakers for me. Worked alone. Took a little longer than I thought but he got it done. Great guy.

Seymour’s Electrical

Rey B.

So far the job is completed satisfactorily . Although I am waiting for his response because I told him about one of the replacement wood that he used have a long horizontal crack and I want that to be replaced . I am even willing to pay for that 1 wood . So far I am still waiting for his response . Plus he have one more job he needed to do . The guy is very professional and completed the job on time . But let’s wait for his response to my issue . He said I have 6 months Warranty on his work .