What does a general contractor do?

<div>General contractors are the ones that coordinate home construction projects. They are in charge of the day-to-day oversight of the subcontractors to ensure that the project is completed on time and to resolve problems as they arise. General contractors:<ul><li>Complete pre-construction planning, both with the customer and crew</li><li>Provide realistic cost estimates</li><li>Develop construction timelines</li><li>Ensure deadlines are met</li><li>Acquire permits as needed</li><li>Purchase supplies and materials</li></ul></div>

What questions should I ask a general contractor?

<div>Before hiring a general contractor for your home project, it’s a great idea to write down a list of questions to discuss with each prospect. Some example questions to get you started include:<ul><li>Which types of insurance do you carry?</li><li>Can you provide a list of references?</li><li>What is the expected timeline for this project?</li><li>How will my project be supervised?</li><li>Will you hire subcontractors for the job?</li><li>What is the best way to communicate changes?</li><li>Will you obtain all of the required building permits?</li></ul></div>

Should general contractors be certified or licensed?

<div>While city and state laws vary on general contractor licensing requirements, hiring an unlicensed general contractor could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. Be sure to check our <a href="https://www.angi.com/angi-license-check.htm">state licensing tool</a> to review the local general contractor guidelines for your area.As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include: <ul><li>The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check</li><li>Required to have applicable state and local licenses</li><li>Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review</li><li>Paying to advertise their services</li><li>Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi</li></ul>Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.</div>

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Q: How much do general contractors typically charge?

<div>Generally, general contractors charge between $50 and $150 hourly, though not every contractor charges by the hour. If charging based on the project, you can expect a markup of 10% to 20% of the construction cost. You can expect to pay between $300 and $500 daily if charged by the day. </div>

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*The Angi rating for Contractor Service companies in Balsam Lake, WI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Contractor Service needs.

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Last update on June 11, 2025

Reviewed in November 2023
Jon made sure that we never had to worry about anything. He managed subcontractors for us and kept us updated. Always picks up his phone for calls and texts. He made our vision and dream a reality.
Northwoods Custom Builders
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Reviewed in March 2021
I wanted a screen room to be built on my open deck - it was hard to even find people who would look at the project, at where I live in rural Sauk County. Frey came and talked to me, took a rough idea of what I wanted, and came back with a comprehensive design that was wonderful. They generated...
Frey Construction & Home Improvement, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2007
Frankly, I was very pleased. The handyman arrived a few minutes early, quickly sized up the situation, and completed the work in a reasonable time frame. He gave the impression of competence, and the finished product was excellent.
Mr. Handyman of Lincoln Park
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Reviewed in December 2012
It was a great experience top notch job very nice people. I would give there name out as a referral anytime. They always showed up on time and stayed as long as they could to get the job done as good and as quick as they could. Always kept in contact with us making sure we were happy with the...
Casablanca Painting
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Reviewed in September 2020
Exceptional quality of work! Hard working, detail oriented, reasonably priced, and personable. Great communicator! Highly recommend!
Jay's Quality Painting Inc
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Reviewed in June 2014
The job went quickly. He knew what he was doing and was able to come in on budget and things looked pretty good. He didn't push high quality materials for the job because of our budget and so the quality of the work was pretty good for the money.
Larson Construction
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Reviewed in March 2017
Kris has done several jobs for me with great satisfaction. His attention to detail and craftsmanship are impeccable. He is always punctual , asks all the right questions, finds solutions to issues and delivers a fantastic finished product. Everyone will be impressed with his work!
KC Home Improvement LLC
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