Bertram Builders LLC is a locally owned, Santa Cruz county based general building contractor that specializes in residential construction and framing.We are a team of hardworkers who take pride in quality and integrity. From remodels to decks, ADUs and additions, we strive to do the right thing and make your home dreams a reality!
Bertram Builders LLC is a locally owned, Santa Cruz county based general building contractor that specializes in residential construction and framing.We are a team of hardworkers who take pride in quality and integrity. From remodels to decks, ADUs and additions, we strive to do the right thing and make your home dreams a reality!
We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
"Benny's crew was amazing. They remodeled my Kitchen, Bathroom, Painted, and removed a 15 year old rug and put in new floor.They are very easy to work with. They explain to work done for the day and get the job done quick and with great quality. Would recommend them to anyone."
Michael D on March 2025
We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
"Benny's crew was amazing. They remodeled my Kitchen, Bathroom, Painted, and removed a 15 year old rug and put in new floor.They are very easy to work with. They explain to work done for the day and get the job done quick and with great quality. Would recommend them to anyone."
Michael D on March 2025
Our company is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests and make their concerns the basis of our business. Please give us a call today!
"Ken and his crew built me 2 beautiful bamboo decks. One large and one small. They also replaced all the plywood and siding on the back of my house. Our upper deck, which is the larger one has a water drainage system so we can have a living space underneath. The lower deck, which is the smaller one is flanked by concrete planter boxes and looks awesome! Despite last winters heavy storms, they got the job done quickly and efficiently."
jeremy h on December 2024
Our company is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests and make their concerns the basis of our business. Please give us a call today!
"Ken and his crew built me 2 beautiful bamboo decks. One large and one small. They also replaced all the plywood and siding on the back of my house. Our upper deck, which is the larger one has a water drainage system so we can have a living space underneath. The lower deck, which is the smaller one is flanked by concrete planter boxes and looks awesome! Despite last winters heavy storms, they got the job done quickly and efficiently."
jeremy h on December 2024
We focus and try to pay complete attention to detail. Our biggest priority is helping homeowners focus on what they want. We are pretty local, and our expertise is what makes people choose us. Give us a call directly, we would love to work with you!
"He is very responsible."
Veronica L on August 2018
We focus and try to pay complete attention to detail. Our biggest priority is helping homeowners focus on what they want. We are pretty local, and our expertise is what makes people choose us. Give us a call directly, we would love to work with you!
"He is very responsible."
Veronica L on August 2018
We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity, and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Fast response and clear communication throughout the process."
Marco T on April 2025
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity, and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Fast response and clear communication throughout the process."
Marco T on April 2025
Family owned business with over 22 years of experience -Remodeling - General - Remodeling - Kitchen & Bathroom - full home remodels - room additions - ADU's - Full Roof replacement -
"Would not recommend them to anyone. We had the worst experience with these guys. Scope of project: kitchen complete remodel, replacing carpet flooring with vinyl tile flooring , redo electrical for kitchen area only cost: 100K+ what went to plan: - kitchen demo - made one nice dry wall - setting up and framing of the kitchen area what went wrong: - communication/scheduling : we would never be told ahead of time when work was being done. Sometimes there would be days stretches where no one showed up and then guys would show up randomly on a Sunday morning. At the start of the project we told them we were going to move into the back half of the house, so just have that clean. We moved into trash and debris everywhere. They also saw a vinyl strap , strapped to our tree, tied to our neighbor's fence (it was there keeping the fence up as the tree was leaning into the neighbors fence). In their brilliance, they decided to cut the strap and use it for themselves. How did we know? we found it on our roof, used to tie some electrical conduit. Who the heck does that?! We should've cut ties at that point, it was just the start...if we only knew. But we gave them the benefit of the doubt...but things kept going wrong. - Kitchen cabinet install was not leveled, we end up telling them to not bother coming back and we installed the whole kitchen ourselves (re-leveling the base cabinets, putting on the hardware, installing the cabinet doors. - broke several custom panels (to their credit, they did pay for the reorder) but we ended up installing it ourselves , which we were never offered refund the labor. - the kitchen counter was not leveled, we also had to redo it ourselves in order for the independent countertop guys to install it. - cut hole for electrical switch too big, huge gap now in our org Eichler panel that is not repairable unless we replace the whole wall. - cut hole in wood beam ceiling too big for ceiling vent even though they had the manufacturer's specifications. tried to fix it, but it looks terrible. - lied and said they had experience installing lux vinyl tile. They didn't. The flooring , which is supposed to be new, looks like flooring that has been there for years and hadn't been replaced. It was discolored, uneven, not leveled, and not even lined up. How can you mess up lining up squares? Our sales person Joe ,came and made excuses after excuses , telling us " no one can install it better than them" , that this is the "best" we'll get. I cannot believe he could look us in the face and say that. We ended up requesting 1500 back, though for us to reorder redo the tiles for the kitchen will be 3K+. - as a last F you to us, they gave us the bill for the permit fees which includes a 3% of project cost recycling deposit that is 100% refundable if they just do the paperwork and let the city know where they recycled the demolition material. Our kitchen project was 80K and so it was $2400. Guess what, they "never heard of this" and have no proof of where they recycled the material and so cannot get the refund. I have no idea where they dumped the material.....and we're out 2400. The best thing about this project is finishing and NEVER having to deal with them again."
bobby p on April 2020
Family owned business with over 22 years of experience -Remodeling - General - Remodeling - Kitchen & Bathroom - full home remodels - room additions - ADU's - Full Roof replacement -
"Would not recommend them to anyone. We had the worst experience with these guys. Scope of project: kitchen complete remodel, replacing carpet flooring with vinyl tile flooring , redo electrical for kitchen area only cost: 100K+ what went to plan: - kitchen demo - made one nice dry wall - setting up and framing of the kitchen area what went wrong: - communication/scheduling : we would never be told ahead of time when work was being done. Sometimes there would be days stretches where no one showed up and then guys would show up randomly on a Sunday morning. At the start of the project we told them we were going to move into the back half of the house, so just have that clean. We moved into trash and debris everywhere. They also saw a vinyl strap , strapped to our tree, tied to our neighbor's fence (it was there keeping the fence up as the tree was leaning into the neighbors fence). In their brilliance, they decided to cut the strap and use it for themselves. How did we know? we found it on our roof, used to tie some electrical conduit. Who the heck does that?! We should've cut ties at that point, it was just the start...if we only knew. But we gave them the benefit of the doubt...but things kept going wrong. - Kitchen cabinet install was not leveled, we end up telling them to not bother coming back and we installed the whole kitchen ourselves (re-leveling the base cabinets, putting on the hardware, installing the cabinet doors. - broke several custom panels (to their credit, they did pay for the reorder) but we ended up installing it ourselves , which we were never offered refund the labor. - the kitchen counter was not leveled, we also had to redo it ourselves in order for the independent countertop guys to install it. - cut hole for electrical switch too big, huge gap now in our org Eichler panel that is not repairable unless we replace the whole wall. - cut hole in wood beam ceiling too big for ceiling vent even though they had the manufacturer's specifications. tried to fix it, but it looks terrible. - lied and said they had experience installing lux vinyl tile. They didn't. The flooring , which is supposed to be new, looks like flooring that has been there for years and hadn't been replaced. It was discolored, uneven, not leveled, and not even lined up. How can you mess up lining up squares? Our sales person Joe ,came and made excuses after excuses , telling us " no one can install it better than them" , that this is the "best" we'll get. I cannot believe he could look us in the face and say that. We ended up requesting 1500 back, though for us to reorder redo the tiles for the kitchen will be 3K+. - as a last F you to us, they gave us the bill for the permit fees which includes a 3% of project cost recycling deposit that is 100% refundable if they just do the paperwork and let the city know where they recycled the demolition material. Our kitchen project was 80K and so it was $2400. Guess what, they "never heard of this" and have no proof of where they recycled the material and so cannot get the refund. I have no idea where they dumped the material.....and we're out 2400. The best thing about this project is finishing and NEVER having to deal with them again."
bobby p on April 2020
Hi, my name is Larry Murphy, and I'm the owner of Lakota Design Group. We've been designing and installing custom landscape projects in the Bay Area for the past 50 years. During those years we've designed and built everything you can imagine and completed over 5,000 projects. We've also worked for some of the most influential people in Silicon Valley, including executives from Apple, Yahoo & the San Francisco 49ers. From both design & construction viewpoints, we know what works and what doesn't, what looks good & what doesn't. We'll work with you using our custom 3d design process to create your dream landscape design. Then, using your new landscape design, we'll get bids for you from our list of vetted contractors. If you then choose to use one of our contractors for your installation, your design is free since our contractors pay us for it. They also pay us to manage your project, so you don't have to. You can check us out at https://www.lakotadesigngroup.com. We'd love to work with you!
"Punctual. Informative. Friendly. Good work, excellent completion. Pleasing sight."
jan f on September 2024
Hi, my name is Larry Murphy, and I'm the owner of Lakota Design Group. We've been designing and installing custom landscape projects in the Bay Area for the past 50 years. During those years we've designed and built everything you can imagine and completed over 5,000 projects. We've also worked for some of the most influential people in Silicon Valley, including executives from Apple, Yahoo & the San Francisco 49ers. From both design & construction viewpoints, we know what works and what doesn't, what looks good & what doesn't. We'll work with you using our custom 3d design process to create your dream landscape design. Then, using your new landscape design, we'll get bids for you from our list of vetted contractors. If you then choose to use one of our contractors for your installation, your design is free since our contractors pay us for it. They also pay us to manage your project, so you don't have to. You can check us out at https://www.lakotadesigngroup.com. We'd love to work with you!
"Punctual. Informative. Friendly. Good work, excellent completion. Pleasing sight."
jan f on September 2024
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
C M BUILDERS GENERAL CONSTRUCTION INC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!
"I had some ideas in mind for a remodeling and C M Builders was able to accomplish everything I needed, and then some."
Barbara E on July 2024
C M BUILDERS GENERAL CONSTRUCTION INC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!
"I had some ideas in mind for a remodeling and C M Builders was able to accomplish everything I needed, and then some."
Barbara E on July 2024
A general contractor oversees a project from start to completion. They create the project’s timeline and schedule, hire, manage, and pay subcontractors and workers, and purchase and deliver building materials and supplies. They’ll also acquire necessary permits and HOA approvals, plan and execute necessary project changes, and make sure work meets quality standards.
Hiring an independent general contractor costs between 10% and 20% of your overall project cost, with larger projects incurring fees up to 25%. This fee covers complete project oversight, scheduling, and subcontractor management. The fee ranges from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, reflecting the full scope of the planned work and ensuring seamless coordination throughout the construction process.
General contractors typically provide estimates at no charge, but some may charge a small fee, especially for more complex projects. It's important to secure a written estimate, as it establishes a transparent agreement on project scope, labor, materials, and any additional fees. This helps protect you against unforeseen expenses and ensures clarity before the work begins.
When hiring a general contractor, you must provide an upfront deposit that ranges from 10% to 20% of your overall project cost. This deposit secures material orders, labor scheduling, and initial project preparations. An upfront deposit exceeding 50% is a clear warning sign and should prompt thorough contract verification before proceeding.