The 10 Best Charlotte, NC General Contractors

You must hire a licensed general contractor in Charlotte for all construction and home improvement projects that costs $30,000 or more total, labor and materials combined.

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors requires applicants to pass an exam administered by PSI licensure certification which tests general contractor and construction knowledge; proficiency with building plans and specifications; state and city building code and laws; cost estimating; and business ethics. Applicants must demonstrate that he/she is of good character and integrity. Contractors must furnish proof of financial responsibility to obtain a limited, intermediate, or unlimited license according to a company's working capital (current assets minus current liabilities).

Licenses are 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 it is not required by state law, it is highly recommended that you only hire contractors who carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance. You should ask for a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any construction work begins.

Unless exempted, all new construction, additions, alterations, repair, movement or removal of a structure, reconstruction, or demolition requires a permit in Charlotte. Common projects requiring a permit include decks, the renovation of an attic or basement into habitable space and the building of a storage shed or accessory building greater than 12 feet in any dimension. If you are unsure about the permit requirements for your project, contact Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement at 980-314-2633.

Charlotte Development Services and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement are responsible for issuing residential building permits and protecting public safety by ensuring construction complies with all applicable codes and ordinances. At the start of your project you should decide with your contractor who will be responsible for acquiring permits. Development Services offers many services to assist with the permitting process. These include free pre-submittal meetings with department staff to determine specific project requirements and highlight any special considerations. The County’s Residential Technical Assistance Center provides further assistance. Depending on project specifics, a variety of methods are available to obtain a permit, including electronic submission. More details are available on the City of Charlotte Development Services website and the website for Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement.

Anyone doing construction work in Charlotte is required to post a cash/surety bond. Homeowners who have suffered financial loss caused by dishonest or incompetent conduct of a licensed general contractor may have access to the State Homeowners Recovery Fund. Payments from the Fund shall not exceed 10% of the total amount in the Fund at the time the application is approved.

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 Charlotte Development Services and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement; 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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.