Types of Home Contractors
What each contractor does, average costs, red flags, and what to ask.
General Contractor
Manages entire construction or renovation projects. Hires and coordinates subcontractors, pulls permits, and is responsible for the overall project timeline and quality.
- •Won't pull permits
- •Asks for more than 30% upfront
- •No written contract
- •Won't provide references
- →What percentage of work do you self-perform vs. subcontract?
- →Who pulls the permits?
- →What's your payment schedule?
Roofing Contractor
Installs, repairs, and replaces residential and commercial roofing systems. Top specialties include asphalt shingles, metal roofing, tile, and flat/commercial roofing.
- •Door-to-door solicitation after storms
- •Requests you sign insurance paperwork upfront
- •No local address or permanent business
- •Cash only
- →Are you a manufacturer-certified installer?
- →What warranty do you offer on labor vs. materials?
- →Do you use in-house crews or subcontractors?
HVAC Contractor
Installs and services heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. HVAC technicians must be EPA 608 certified to handle refrigerants.
- •Won't diagnose before quoting replacement
- •No EPA certification
- •Recommends undersized equipment to reduce upfront cost
- •No energy efficiency guidance
- →What SEER rating do you recommend for my climate?
- →Do you offer a maintenance plan?
- →Are you NATE certified?
Plumber
Installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, water heaters, and drain systems. Must be licensed in almost every state. Master plumbers can pull permits; journeymen work under supervision.
- •Won't provide written estimate
- •No state license
- •Recommends full repipe without camera inspection
- •No flat-rate pricing
- →Are you a licensed master plumber or journeyman?
- →Is this a flat fee or hourly?
- →Will you camera-scope the drain before recommending repairs?
Electrician
Installs and repairs electrical systems in homes and commercial buildings. Must be licensed (master or journeyman) and pull permits for all significant work.
- •Won't pull permit for panel or service work
- •Not licensed
- •Aluminum wiring work without COPALUM/AlumiConn connectors
- •Wants to skip inspection
- →Are you a master electrician or licensed journeyman?
- →Will this work require a permit and inspection?
- →Are you familiar with local code requirements?
Kitchen & Bath Remodeler
Specializes in designing and renovating kitchens and bathrooms. May coordinate all subcontractors (plumbing, electrical, tile, cabinetry) or work alongside a GC.
- •Expects you to coordinate subcontractors
- •Won't provide a detailed scope of work
- •No allowances spelled out in contract
- •No design phase included
- →Do you have an in-house designer or do I need to hire one?
- →What are the allowances for cabinets, countertops, and fixtures?
- →How do you handle change orders?
Foundation / Structural Contractor
Diagnoses and repairs foundation issues including cracks, settlement, bowing walls, and waterproofing. Work should always be evaluated by a structural engineer first.
- •Diagnoses without a structural engineer
- •Recommends mudjacking/piering without evidence of settlement
- •Guarantees a specific outcome without soil analysis
- •High-pressure in-home sales
- →Do you recommend I get an independent structural engineer opinion?
- →What warranty do you provide on the repair?
- →How many piers/supports do you recommend and why?
ADU / Addition Builder
Specializes in accessory dwelling units (in-law suites, garage conversions, backyard cottages) and home additions. Requires deep knowledge of local zoning and permitting.
- •Guarantees permits without checking local zoning
- •No experience with ADU-specific setback/height rules
- •Won't give itemized cost breakdown
- •Won't share permit application details
- →How many ADUs have you built in this city/county?
- →Will you handle the permit application or do I need an architect?
- →What are the likely timeline risks for permitting?