A general contractor is the person or company that takes responsibility for building a project: hiring and scheduling the trades, buying or ordering materials, getting permits and inspections, and keeping the work on the plan and the budget. This guide explains what a general contractor does, how that differs from a design-build firm or a subcontractor, how licensing works in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and what to look for when you hire one.
- What they do: run the job day to day and answer for the work.
- Who they hire: subcontractors such as framers, plumbers, electricians and tile setters.
- What you get: one point of contact, instead of you coordinating every trade.
- What to check: license or registration, insurance, references and a clear contract.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
Before Construction
The general contractor reviews the plans, prices the work, helps set the budget and schedule, lines up subcontractors and applies for permits. On a design-build project this happens alongside the design.
During Construction
They schedule the trades in the right order, order materials, check the work, keep the site safe and tidy, and tell you what is happening and what decisions you need to make. Dan M., an Andover client, wrote of a large structural project: "Ryan's communication throughout the project kept us informed of what was happening, what was going to happen next, and decisions we needed to make to keep the project on track."
After Construction
A good general contractor walks the finished work with you, makes a punch list of small items, completes them and passes on closing paperwork such as final inspection records.
How a General Contractor Runs Your Project
This is the part homeowners often call "project management." It comes down to five jobs.
- Define the scope. What is being built, in writing, down to materials where you have chosen them.
- Set the budget and allowances. Items you have not chosen yet get an allowance, and the contract says what happens if you pick something costlier. See our renovation budget guide.
- Build the schedule. Trades go in sequence, so one late delivery can move everything behind it. Our whole-house renovation checklist shows the usual order of work.
- Control changes. Any change in scope gets a written change order stating the price and the time it adds, before the work happens.
- Communicate and inspect. Regular updates, a clear point of contact, and a walk-through at the end.
Some homeowners hire a separate project manager or architect to oversee a contractor. A general contractor or design-build firm normally includes this role. Check what your contract says and who on the team will be your day-to-day contact. Software and shared checklists can help you track decisions, but they do not replace a contractor who coordinates the trades.
General Contractors vs. Other Contractors
- Subcontractors do one trade and are hired by the general contractor. You normally do not contract with them directly.
- Specialty contractors sell one kind of work to a homeowner directly, such as roofing or a new furnace.
- Design-build firms are general contractors that also handle the design under the same contract. See our design and build guide and how to choose a design-build firm.
- Remodelers and builders are general contractors who focus on remodeling or on building new homes. For matching a contractor to the size of your job, see contractors for home remodeling.
Licensing for General Contractors in MA and NH
Massachusetts requires home improvement contractors to register with the state, and most structural work also requires a licensed construction supervisor. Massachusetts law also limits the deposit on a home improvement contract to one third of the price. New Hampshire has no state general contractor license, but plumbers and electricians must be licensed and towns set their own permit rules. Our contractors license guide covers the rules, how to check a contractor and what contractors need to get licensed.
How General Contractors Price and Bid
A general contractor usually prices a project from your plans or a scope, with subcontractor quotes and materials inside the price, plus the general contractor's own overhead and profit. Common contract types are a fixed price for a defined scope, and cost-plus, where you pay actual costs plus a fee. Ask which one is being offered and how allowances and change orders work. To compare bids, ask every contractor to price the same written scope. Our design-build contract guide explains pricing models in more detail.
Paying a General Contractor and Lien Waivers
Tie payments to completed work, not to dates. When you pay, ask for lien waivers: signed statements from the contractor and major suppliers that they have been paid up to that point. They protect you if a subcontractor or supplier is not paid and tries to claim against your property. Lien rules differ by state, so ask your contractor or an attorney how they apply to your project.
What to Look for When You Hire a General Contractor
- Completed projects like yours, with town, year and scope, and references you can call.
- Verified registration, license and insurance.
- A clear point of contact and a plan for updates.
- A written scope and contract with a payment schedule and change-order process.
- Trades that stay, since long-standing subcontractors tend to show up. Virginia T., an Andover client, wrote: "Ryan's sub contractors were excellent... Most have worked for him for many years."
From Our Projects
Norman Builders works as a design-build general contractor. Our Andover whole-home renovation (2026, budget band $1,000,000, 2,900 sq ft) and our Amesbury addition and primary suite (2025, $700,000) involved coordinating framing, mechanical and finish trades under one team. Our custom home in Newton, NH (2025, $1,000,000, 3,100 sq ft) shows the same role on new construction.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Contractors
What is the difference between a general contractor and a construction manager?
A general contractor holds the contract to build the project and is responsible for the work and the trades. A construction manager advises on cost, schedule and quality, often for a fee, and may not do the building. On a home project you will almost always want a general contractor.
Do I need a general contractor for my remodeling project?
If the project involves more than one trade, structural change or permits, yes. A single-trade job such as a water heater swap can go directly to that trade. A general contractor or design-build firm coordinates the trades, schedule and inspections on anything larger.
How can I verify a general contractor's license?
In Massachusetts, check the home improvement contractor registration and the construction supervisor license with the state, and ask for proof of insurance. New Hampshire has no state general contractor license, so check insurance, references and the licenses of the plumbers and electricians. Details are in our contractors license guide.
Planning a Project?
Norman Builders was founded in 2007 by Ryan Norman and is based in Newton, NH, serving the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore, the Seacoast and southern New Hampshire. See our design-build construction service, call (978) 833-7337 or request an estimate.
