The 10 Best Raleigh, NC General Contractors

Under North Carolina state law, you must hire a licensed general contractor for all construction and home improvement projects in Raleigh that exceed $30,000 in total costs (including both labor and materials).

Licensing for general contractors in Raleigh, is regulated by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Applicants are required to pass an exam that tests general contractor and construction knowledge; proficiency with building plans and specifications; state and city building code and laws; cost estimating; and business ethics. General contractors must also proof of financial responsibility to obtain a license classification according to a company's working capital (current assets minus current liabilities). Classifications determine the price range of projects a contractor can work on and range from limited, to intermediate, and unlimited.

Licenses must be renewed annually for a fee of $75-$125 depending on the classification. The Board has the power to refuse, revoke or suspend a license for incompetence, negligence or misconduct of a contractor.

Although state law does not require contractors to carry general liability or workers' compensation insurance, hiring contractors who do have an active policy of each insurance is highly recommended. Request a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

In general, all new construction, demolition, additions, major renovations and repairs in Raleigh require a building permit. Additionally, common projects that require permits include decks, balconies, screened-in porches, all commercial retaining walls or those that are more than 5 feet, pools and most spas. If you build without a permit when one is required, you are subject to a citation, increased permit fees, the removal of such work, problems selling your home in the future and the risk that homeowners insurance won’t cover issues that occur as a result of non-permitted construction. If you are unsure whether your project requires a building permit, you should contact the Development Services Department at 919.996.2495.

The Development Services Department in Raleigh is responsible for issuing permits and ensuring project compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. At the outset of your project, you and your contractor should determine whom will be responsible for the permitting process. The Development Services Department, provides a variety of methods and services to guide you through the permitting process. These include meeting with plan review staff before the start of project planning in addition to a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit. More details are available on the Raleigh Development Services Department Website.

Contractors in North Carolina do not have to obtain a surety bond to perform work on residential properties. Homeowners have financial recourse in North Carolina through The Homeowners Recovery Fund, which provides assistance to eligible North Carolina homeowners who have suffered a financial loss caused by the dishonest or incompetent conduct of a licensed general contractor.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors; building permit data, gathered from the Raleigh Development Services Department; 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 Raleigh, North Carolina. 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 Raleigh. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.