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When it comes to general contractors, licensing laws vary from state to state. Even if your state doesn’t require your home remodeling contractor to have a license, your municipality or city might, so it’s a good idea to check with your town before getting started. Be sure to check our state licensing tool to review the local general contractor guidelines. 

If your state or city doesn’t require a home remodeling contractor to be licensed, hiring an expert is still worth it. The costs of hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor are high, as you might need to pay out of pocket for employee injuries or even the cost of redoing the project. 

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Certified” badge. Angi Certified businesses meet our standards for certification which include:

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

The cost of home remodeling is $50,000 for the average homeowner. However, this cost can range anywhere from $3,000 for a small project to $170,000 for a whole home remodel. Factors like project size, location, and room type all affect your overall cost. For example, bedroom remodeling costs are one of the least expensive projects, costing about $1,500 to $5,500 per bedroom. However, a kitchen remodel has a significant cost range, totaling anywhere from $14,500 to over $70,000.

Generally, general contractors charge between $50 and $150 hourly, though not every contractor charges by the hour. If charging based on the project, you can expect a markup of 10% to 20% of the construction cost. You can expect to pay between $300 and $500 daily if charged by the day.

While city and state laws vary on general contractor licensing requirements, hiring an unlicensed general contractor could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. Be sure to check our state licensing tool to review the local general contractor guidelines for your area.

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include:

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.

The best time of year to remodel your home is late winter and early spring when fewer homeowners are thinking about projects and pros are more available. Also consider the type of remodel you want and plan ahead as much as possible. For example, the summer is a great time of year to update your fireplace, but winter is a better option for fixing foundations and building room additions.