Planning a kitchen remodel or a home addition? Either one takes many trades working in the right order. Managing them yourself is a lot of work. A general contractor takes that on for you. Here is what they do and why the license matters.
What a licensed general contractor does
A general contractor is the person or company responsible for the whole construction project. They hire and schedule the trades, obtain the permits, coordinate inspections, and manage the work from start to finish.
In North Carolina, general contractors are licensed by the state. A licensed contractor has met state requirements and knows the building codes and safety rules. Permits for an addition must be pulled by a licensed general contractor. And if you hire a licensed contractor in North Carolina, you are covered by the state’s Homeowners Recovery Fund.
Oak City Homes holds North Carolina General Contractor License #88045, unlimited, and is insured through Builders Mutual.
What that looks like on a real project
On our garage addition in Apex, the old roof came off a one-story garage and a finished second story went up in its place. That meant engineering, framing, trades, and inspections at several stages, all coordinated by one team.
Why use a general contractor
- Experience. A good contractor has solved the common problems before and builds to local code.
- Trusted trades and suppliers. Established relationships mean reliable subcontractors and materials.
- One point of contact. You talk to one team instead of keeping track of a dozen trades.
- Time. Experience and planning keep the schedule on track.
- Less stress. Someone is responsible for every step, so you are not left managing it alone.
What to check before you hire
- The license number and classification, which you can look up with the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
- Proof of insurance
- Who will pull the permits
- A written scope, timeline, and payment schedule
- Reviews from past clients
Then look at the process. Reviews and a license are no longer enough on their own. Ask how they communicate, when your price is fixed, and who you will talk to at each stage. Our process is built to answer all three.