What to Know About: General Contractors »
Whether your home needs a complete renovation, or a room needs to be repaired, there are some things to know before you hire.
YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. “Preferred” listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.
2612 S El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94403
From Business: Kitchen and Bathroom showroom with design and sales of kitchen or bathroom remodeling. We can provide full service design build or sell you products that you or y…
Serving the San Mateo Area
From Business: North American Dismantling is a leading nationwide demolition contractor specializing in heavy industrial demolition, commercial building strip outs, specialty bu…
3008 Page StRedwood City, CA 94063
From Business: We are ready to work for you when you need us. Weather its a new roof or repair we do it all. We work with woodshakes, wood shingles, asphalt shingles, built up s…
424 Dumbarton AveRedwood City, CA 94063
From Business: Rodi Construction was founded in 1992 by Achilles and Mario Rodighiero (father and son). Achilles earned his way in the engineering world while working for Bechte…
579 El Camino RealAtherton, CA 94027
From Business: United Chimney is a second and third family owned and operated business general and masonry contractor full service. From chimney cleaning to complete chimney bui…
6756 Central AveNewark, CA 94560
From Business: Complete Bathroom Remodeling Manufacturing Site On Premises Residential Experts Large Color Selection Quality Work Competitive Prices Factory Direct Visit Our Sho…
Redding, CA 96003
From Business: We install all types of fencing - from wooden privacy fences to ranch fencing. We are also a general contractor and offer residential painting, drywall, doors, wi…
Worked with AAFM and found staff to be professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend!
Serving the San Mateo Area
1201 Old County Rd Ste 1Belmont, CA 94002
From Business: SAVIANO BUILDERS. (Thomas A. Saviano, Contractor), is a licensed construction company. We are both Green builders and an EPA certified contractors. We are working…
200 Industrial RdSan Carlos, CA 94070
From Business: We specialize in Shotcrete/Gunite, Shoring and Underpinning, Drilled Piers/Caissons, Retaining Walls. Serving Northern California Since 1985.
Hired this company to repair damaged deck awning. Crew arrived without enough material because "measurements were wrong", delaying job so they fini…
991 Harrison StSan Francisco, CA 94107
From Business: Design Resources Magazine Spotlight On Marble Don Jacobson founded Venetian Natural Marble Company in 1964. Don worked for many years at Vermont Marble and Musto-…
228 Bay Shore BlvdSan Francisco, CA 94124
From Business: Gilmans Kitchens and Baths is a design build company offering semi-custom to full custom cabinetry services to homeowners, contractors, and independent designers.…
i used bragato paving last year for my drive way and i came out better than i expected i never thought my drive way could look so good ! they were c…
4026 3rd StSan Francisco, CA 94124
From Business: John H. Chung founded Associated Builders as a sole proprietorship in 1981, and by 1997 his venture had grown into a California corporation. Today, John employs a…
1330 Valota RdRedwood City, CA 94061
From Business: Please Contact Us For More Information
1350 El Camino RealSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
From Business: Broadmoor Landscape Supply is a family owned business operated since 1955. We carry a complete line of landscape supplies. We have the largest pond showroom in th…
2249 Old Middlefield WayMountain View, CA 94043
From Business: Founded in 1988, Schiller Construction Inc. is a provider of custom residential remodeling, home building and design services in the mid-peninsula region. Based i…
159 Mason CirConcord, CA 94520
From Business: Founded in 1981, Ned Clyde Construction Inc. serves as an engineering contractor. Based in Concord, Calif., the firm specializes in soil-related problems, such as…
Serving the San Mateo Area
From Business: * Top Quality Craftsmanship * Free Estimates
I had a great experience with this company. I went to the store to get the foam in my seat cushions replaced. The staff was very kind, helpful and v…
Serving the San Mateo Area
From Business: We are a family run business with a highly experienced crew and have almost no turnover of employees. We have high safety and work standards which our crew follow…
Serving the San Mateo Area
From Business: B & B Excavation & Drilling offers excavation and pier drilling services for residential and commercial projects throughout the entire Bay Area & Mendocino County…
Great company-expert advice, knowledge and know how. They were clean, fast, and wonderful. I'd recommend Shaughnessy to anyone!
We bought a 1920's spanish revival with antique tile roof. Michael's team did an amazing job of sealing up the leaks, rebuilding portions of the ro…
I have been searching for replacement roof tiles for a while. Al's doesn't sell loose pieces but the gentleman who answered the phone provided detai…
205 Utah AveSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
From Business: Tom Hargens
I saw a neigabor use this company and saw the work they done, I had a area that I needed done that was not easy to do, but they did the work and the…
Whether your home needs a complete renovation, or a room needs to be repaired, there are some things to know before you hire.
There has perhaps never been a better tool for do-it-yourself home handymen than the internet. With detailed instructions and videos explaining how to perform a number of common maintenance and renovation tasks around a house, an untrained homeowner might be surprised at how much he or she can accomplish with a quick search online. But even with all of this information, there are still many jobs that lie far outside the scope of most DIY enthusiasts. General contractors are there to fill in this gap.
A general contractor specializes in seeing a home remodel or repair project through from start to finish. To do this, the contractor works with the client - whether they are a homeowner or business - to nail down the scope of the work. Then he or she will turn to one or more subcontractors for specific tasks, like equipment operation, design, electrical work or whatever else is needed.
In essence, general contractors could be thought of as middlemen between a homeowner or business owner and any number of specialists. To get their money's worth, many assume they should just "cut out the middleman" and hire specialists directly, but this often proves more difficult in practice. General contractors won't be completing an entire project by themselves, but should have a long list of dependable experts who can work together and accomplish any task. They might also serve as the manager on the site of a construction project, overseeing workers and providing guidance and assistance when needed. For larger projects, though, the contractor might only handle administrative matters and employ a foreman or other professional for on-site supervision.
There are many general contractors who also specialize in certain tasks themselves. There is usually at least one general contractor on hand to organize the construction of an entire home, for example. But general contractors could also help a homeowner add an additional bedroom, build an in-ground pool or complete a major landscaping project. They could also work with a business to add or improve office space, whether that means making more room or converting a commercial building from a nail salon to a restaurant. Basically, if it's a job that involves building or repairing, a general contractor probably knows how to get it done.
No matter what the exact job may be, a contractor will probably need to accomplish several other essential tasks in pursuit of the ultimate goal, which may include:
Every general contractor performing any kind of work on a project must be licensed to do so in their state. The guidelines for the specifics on licensing vary from state to state. Some states might only require registration of contractors, which is different from licensing. Registration typically means that there must be a written record of what work is being performed and by whom, but it does not guarantee professional knowledge. Licensing, on the other hand, involves an examination process to assess professional competence.
Whether your state requires licensing or registration of contractors, there should be a record of most professionals willing to complete certain projects in your area. Check your state or county website for more information. In states that require licensing, every licensed contractor's contact information is available online or from another public source.
Not every project needs to be completed by a licensed or registered contractor. If it's just a minor job that won't take more than a day or two, and will cost less than a few hundred dollars, it's likely not necessary to find a licensed or registered contractor. However, anything bigger or more expensive, or a project involving plumbing or electrical work, needs to be completed by a licensed or registered professional.
General contractors also must be covered by an insurance policy. This should include liability coverage for any property damage that could be inflicted in the course of a job. It should also include a worker's compensation policy in case anyone is injured on the job. Before hiring a contractor for anything, ask for written proof of this insurance to see exactly what is covered.
A number of trade associations for contractors in the U.S. exist. Some of the biggest include:
Most trade associations for general contractors will provide references for anyone looking to hire a contractor for a specific project. They may also provide a number of benefits for their members, including assistance with licensing, training, insurance and business development.
No matter what you need accomplished, you want to choose a contractor who can get the job done right at a reasonable price. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure you find a trustworthy general contractor.
The first, and perhaps most reliable, way to find a general contractor is to ask friends and family members for a recommendation. If you know anyone who has had major work done on their home, particularly if it's a similar job, ask them who they hired and if they were pleased with the result. You could also ask neighbors about who they've hired if you notice work being done on their house. Many remodeling contractors post signs in front of homes to advertise their services. As a general rule, it's rarely a good idea to hire a contractor who solicits work by going door to door.
If you are considering hiring a contractor without a personal recommendation, ask the contractor for references from past clients, and do as much background research on them as possible. Look for any complaints (or compliments) online to get a better idea of their track record. There are a number of websites specializing in connecting contractors with people or businesses who need work done. These sites may also allow past clients to submit their own reviews of the contractor.
Before hiring a contractor, make sure you are both in agreement on the project's budget. It's normal for most contractors to charge clients a premium not only for the labor expenses and zoning expertise, but for acquiring the materials as well. Be as clear and concise as possible regarding what you'll be purchasing yourself and what you will be paying the contractor to complete. Homeowners may be able to find a better deal on raw materials when they purchase these directly, but they first need to be sure they aren't buying the wrong things.
Don't forget to discuss how the project will be finalized and what will be done about cleanup. Plans for how the work site will be cleaned at the end of each day as well as at the conclusion of work need to be put in writing. An experienced general contractor should make every effort to keep the workspace clean and prevent dirtying or damaging any other area. Even so, talk with the contractor about the daily schedule, the logistics of transporting workers and equipment, and how cleanup will be handled.
As previously mentioned, you need to make sure to follow any state and local regulations regarding construction work, which includes hiring a licensed or registered general contractor. Ask the contractor for proof of their certification before signing anything, as well as their proof of insurance. You should also check your homeowners insurance policy to see if they offer coverage for contracted work. You may want to call your insurance provider and ask for more details on what your plan will and won't cover.
Perhaps the best way to feel safe about a contractor and the work being done is to hire a contractor you trust. This is why relying on personal references from friends and family is so important, and will often provide a great deal of peace of mind. If you aren't able to obtain a reference, work to conduct extensive research on the contractor as well as the work you are hiring them to perform. This should bring everyone's expectations into alignment and result in a safe work environment.
Before any money changes hands, there should be a contract to sign. Make sure the specifics of the work to be done and all costs are listed in the contract, right down to the most precise details. If you forget to have something included in the contract after signing it, there's rarely a chance of recourse.
Once the specifics of the job are nailed down, be sure to discuss the payment schedule with the contractor. This is important because paying too much up front offers the homeowner minimal leverage if the quality of work does not meet expectations or contractual specifications. Try to establish a reasonable pay schedule with the contractor, such as paying 10 percent of the total cost for each 10 percent of the work that is completed. It's a good idea to include this payment plan in the contract as well.
Finally, look into getting a lien release signed before work begins. If there is ever a dispute regarding payment over the course of the project, a contractor or subcontractor could place a payment claim, or lien, on your property. This can trigger a long legal process that may be frustrating. To avoid this, ask the contractor to sign a lien release, which is a legal agreement that states that any payment accepted is final. This can come in handy if a contractor has his or her own payment issues with their subcontractors. Signing a lien release form certifies that any payment made by a client to the contractor is enough to pay for any goods or services rendered. A lien dispute could also be prevented by performing due diligence prior to picking a contractor, as any contractor with good credit and a long track record of satisfied clients should have no trouble paying for materials and labor once all contract conditions have been met.
Once work is underway, it's never a bad idea to check up on the progress of the job, either by staying in touch with the contractor over the phone or visiting the site in person. If you work with a trustworthy professional, it's probably best to keep your distance and allow everyone to stay busy. If you want to keep an eye on things, make sure workers wear the right safety gear and that everything looks to be moving along according to schedule. Finally, once work is finished and you are satisfied, be sure to thank your contractor and tell friends or family members about your experience.