The 10 Best Atlanta, GA General Contractors

You must hire a licensed contractor for all construction and home improvement work in Atlanta that costs $2,500 or more.

The Georgia Licensing Board sets a high standard for licensing contractors. There are 2 types of relevant contractors: general contractors and residential contractors. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, provide their social security number, consent to a background check, including criminal history and pay a $200 licensing fee. All contractors must pass an examination on general knowledge, building codes and state laws, and business matters. Applicants must have general liability insurance and workers´ compensation, prove they are of good character and are financially responsible. Contractor must take 3 hours of continuing education each year.

Additionally, general contractors must have a relevant 4-year university degree and at least 1 year of work experience, or at least 4 combined years of academic credits and practical experience. Alternatively, general contractors can prove eligibility with 4 years in the construction industry, at least 2 of which were as, or in the employment of, a general contractor and at least 1 in administration, marketing, accounting, estimating, drafting, engineering, supervision, or project management. Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $150,000 and provide a line of credit form in an amount not less than $50,000.

Residential contractors must have 2 years of relevant residential work experience and have had significant responsibility for the successful performance and completion of at least 2 relevant projects in the past 2 years.

All licensed contractors in Georgia are required to hold workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance. General contractors must have general liability insurance of at least $500,000. Residential contractors are required to hold general liability insurance of at least $300,000 or $500,000, depending on classification. Request a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

Most home improvement and construction projects in Atlanta will require a permit. Generally, all new construction, demolition, structural additions and floor plan changes will need a permit. Also, all residential repair work that is $2,500 or more, labor and materials, requires a permit. Common projects that need a permit include changing unheated space into heated space, particularly attics and basements, new concrete and pavement work, conversion of the use of a building, such as changing a duplex into a single family home, and the replacement of steps, floorboards and railings. If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, you should check with the Office of Buildings at 404.330.6150.

The Atlanta Office of Buildings is responsible for issuing permits and enforcing building codes and regulations. You and your contractor should determine at the start of project planning who will acquire the permits. Note that in Georgia, if the homeowner files for building permits, it could make them responsible for all liability and insurances, and ineligible for help from the state in case something goes wrong. The Office of Building offers a number of processes to acquire a permit and assist you with the permitting process. Almost all projects will require the submission of construction plans. The Office does issue Express Permits over-the-counter, same-day for small projects, and some permits are now available electronically. More details are available on the Atlanta Office of Building’s website.

Georgia does not require contractors to obtain a surety bond in order to work on residential properties. Homeowners can file a complaint with the Georgia Governor's office of consumer protection.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the Georgia Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors; building permit data, gathered from the Atlanta Office of Buildings; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Atlanta, Georgia. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Atlanta. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.