Find general contractors in Boston, MA

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.

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

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Find general contractors in Boston, MA

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

Zip code

Top 10 general contractors in Boston, MA

Homeowners agree: these Boston 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 Boston general contractors

Recent success stories from people in the Boston area.

Austin M.

Paradise Remodeling has performed several jobs at both my home and my parents home over the past 6 years. Feliciano and his crew have always been very professional, pleasant and done excellent work. I have had him replace my roof, demo and create a new porch and completely remodel the outside of my 2 story garage. All the work was done in a timely manner and came out really well. Feliciano is also extremely responsive even after the work is done if there are any questions or concerns. He is always a pleasure to deal with. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Paradise Remodeling!

Paradise remodeling inc

Eileen C.

We recently had a new paver patio and front steps installed and the results exceeded our expectations. The attention to detail, level base preparation, and clean finish really show the quality of workmanship. The patio is perfectly graded and the steps are solid and beautifully built. The crew was professional, on time, and kept the job site clean every day. The entire process was smooth from estimate to completion. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for high-quality masonry work.

J&A Masonry & Construction LLC

Lisa M.

I have worked with Susan on several design projects over the last 10 years — decorating a large house, remodeling a kitchen, updating a bathroom, renovating a lower level playroom, and much more. Recently Susan helped me decorate a new home on a much smaller budget. Susan has been great on both the big and small projects. She works with talented contractors (upholsterers, curtain makers, painters, carpenters) and will supervise them to make sure everything is done just right. I highly recommend Susan for your next interior design project.