Contractor Hiring Guides
Expert resources to help you hire the right contractor, understand costs, and get the best results from your project.
Hiring Guides
What Is a Specialty Contractor?
Learn the difference between general contractors and specialty contractors, and when you need each.
How to Hire a Contractor
Step-by-step guide to finding, vetting, and hiring the right contractor for your project.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Essential questions to ask any contractor before signing a contract.
How to Check a Contractor's License
State-by-state guide to verifying contractor licenses and insurance.
General vs Specialty Contractor
When to hire a GC versus going directly to a specialty contractor.
Red Flags When Hiring a Contractor
Warning signs to watch for that indicate an unreliable or unlicensed contractor.
Contractor vs Handyman
When you need a licensed contractor versus when a handyman will do.
What Contractor Do I Need?
Trade matcher guide -- figure out which type of specialty contractor handles your project.
Cost Guides by Trade
Electrician Cost Guide$150 - $500 per jobPlumber Cost Guide$175 - $600 per jobHVAC Contractor Cost Guide$150 - $800 per jobRoofing Contractor Cost Guide$300 - $12,000 per jobPainting Contractor Cost Guide$300 - $5,000 per jobWater Damage Restoration Cost Guide$1,000 - $8,000 per jobFoundation Repair Cost Guide$2,000 - $15,000 per jobConcrete Contractor Cost Guide$1,500 - $10,000 per jobFence Contractor Cost Guide$1,500 - $8,000 per jobFlooring Contractor Cost Guide$1,000 - $8,000 per jobLandscaping Contractor Cost Guide$500 - $10,000 per jobSolar Installer Cost Guide$15,000 - $35,000 per systemSiding Contractor Cost Guide$5,000 - $15,000 per jobWindow Contractor Cost Guide$300 - $1,200 per windowMold Remediation Cost Guide$1,500 - $6,000 per jobGarage Door Contractor Cost Guide$150 - $2,500 per jobMasonry Contractor Cost Guide$500 - $5,000 per jobDrywall Contractor Cost Guide$300 - $3,000 per jobInsulation Contractor Cost Guide$1,000 - $5,000 per jobWaterproofing Contractor Cost Guide$2,000 - $10,000 per jobTree Service Cost Guide$200 - $3,000 per jobPest Control Cost Guide$100 - $1,500 per treatmentPool Contractor Cost Guide$20,000 - $80,000 per poolExcavation Contractor Cost Guide$1,500 - $10,000 per jobDemolition Contractor Cost Guide$3,000 - $25,000 per jobPaving Contractor Cost Guide$2,500 - $10,000 per jobGutter Contractor Cost Guide$600 - $3,000 per jobCabinet Contractor Cost Guide$3,000 - $15,000 per jobCountertop Installer Cost Guide$2,000 - $8,000 per jobStucco Contractor Cost Guide$2,000 - $10,000 per jobEV Charger Installer Cost Guide$500 - $2,500 per installationFire Sprinkler Contractor Cost Guide$1,000 - $5,000 per jobElevator Contractor Cost Guide$20,000 - $60,000 per installationGlass & Glazing Contractor Cost Guide$200 - $3,000 per jobSeptic Contractor Cost Guide$1,500 - $10,000 per jobWell Drilling Contractor Cost Guide$3,000 - $15,000 per wellAsbestos Removal Cost Guide$1,500 - $10,000 per jobFire Damage Restoration Cost Guide$2,000 - $50,000 per jobFraming Contractor Cost Guide$7 - $16 per sq ftDoor Installer Cost Guide$200 - $2,000 per doorScaffolding Contractor Cost Guide$500 - $5,000 per jobCarpet Installer Cost Guide$700 - $4,000 per job