General contractor cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report general contractor costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor fee on a new build | 10%–20% of projectBob Vila, in a 2022 guide to building a houseBob Vila, updated Aug 2022 | Bob Vilaupdated Aug 2022 |
| Foundation repair | $2,224–$8,134 per jobThis Old House: average $5,179This Old House, updated Mar 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Mar 2026 |
| $2,200–$8,200 per jobFixr: average $5,200Fixr, updated Jan 2026 | Fixrupdated Jan 2026 | |
| House demolition | $7,500–$15,000 per jobFixr: average $10,000; $5–$10 per sq ftFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| $3,000–$25,000 per jobBob Vila: national average $18,000Bob Vila, updated Jul 2022 | Bob Vilaupdated Jul 2022 | |
| New home construction cost | $162 per sq ftNAHB's 2024 survey average — construction cost only, not the lot or the builder's marginNAHB, updated Jan 2025 | NAHBupdated Jan 2025 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by Bob Vila, This Old House, Fixr and NAHB, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
What changes the price
- Size and complexity of the project, and how many trades it involves
- How the contractor charges: a percentage of the job, a fixed fee, or cost-plus
- Design and engineering, if drawings are needed before work starts
- Permits, inspections and site work such as excavation
- Material choices, which can swing a project more than labour
- Changes once work has started — the most common cause of budget overruns
California's contractor board tells homeowners never to pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less, and to get at least three bids. (CSLB)
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions general contractor pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Property type
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Home · Multi-unit building · Office / business · Residential
- Professional services needed
- Commonly offered: Construction administration · Construction documents (blueprints) · Contractor selection assistance · Design drawings · Project consultation
- Project type description
- Commonly offered: Addition to existing structure · Complete remodel · New construction · Remodel of a few rooms
- Project type
- Commonly offered: Addition attached · Addition unattached · Marine structure · New building · Partial demolition · Pool demolition
- Location
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Residential
- Project scope
- Commonly offered: Change the form or function of a portion of a room or structure · Closet · Complete home remodel · Complete room renovation · House · Major replacements and upgrades
- Project area
- Commonly offered: Addition · Basement · Bathroom · Bedroom · Crawl space or attic · Dining or family room
- Work needed
- Commonly offered: Complete renovation of existing structure · New custom building or construction · Repairs to existing structure · Replacement of portions of existing structure
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the general contractor market looks like
Fixerlane lists general contractor pros across 51 states and 4,975 cities. About 16% are one-person businesses and 69% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 7 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- Do I need a general contractor?
- For a project with several trades, permits and a schedule to manage, usually yes. For a single-trade job — just roofing, just flooring — hiring that trade directly is common and avoids the markup.
- Fixed price or cost-plus?
- A fixed price puts the risk of overruns on the contractor, so it is often higher but predictable. Cost-plus is open-book and can be cheaper, but you carry the risk. Either way, get it in writing.
- How do I check a contractor's licence?
- Most states license general contractors. Look the licence up on your state board's website, and ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation.
- How should payments be scheduled?
- A modest deposit, then payments tied to finished stages you can see — not dates on a calendar. Some states cap the deposit by law; California, for example, limits it to 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find general contractor pros near you and ask two or three.
Find general contractor pros