Construction Company in Asheville, NC

Same buyer, different names: general contractor, construction company, remodeling contractor, design-build firm and residential builder

These five names come up for the same kind of hire, but they are not always the same company. How to ask each one:

• General contractor. Ask whether it signs the contract for the whole job and holds the license a job of your size needs (see below).
• Construction company. Ask whether it takes residential remodels and a job of your size.
• Remodeling contractor. Ask for the scope in writing and whether it takes jobs smaller than a full room.
• Design-build firm. Ask whether design is billed separately before you get a build price.
• Residential builder. Ask whether it takes remodels and additions or only new construction.

These names overlap, but they are not always the same hire. Ask each company what it actually signs for and what it subcontracts. Judge each one by the same four things. What scope will it put in writing? Does it hold the license the job needs? What insurance can it prove? How does it handle permits?

Why hire a general contractor instead of managing the job yourself

Ask each company who orders the trades and books inspections on your job. Ask what happens when one trade runs late.

General contractor, separate trades, or a handyman

A general contractor is the option to weigh when the job has several trades. It also fits jobs that need a permit, move walls or plumbing, or cost enough that a mistake hurts. Ask if you would sign one contract and pay one company. Ask if you would have one party to call if something fails.

Hiring each trade yourself means you take on the management. You schedule the trades and approve materials. You line up inspections. You also settle who pays when two trades blame each other. In Asheville an owner can act as the contractor on their own home, with limits explained in the permit section below. Ask yourself if you have the hours for it.

A handyman: before you hire one, check whether the work needs a permit. The City of Asheville requires a permit, whatever the cost, for these jobs: changing load-bearing walls, adding or changing plumbing, adding or changing electrical or AC/heating systems, or installing a new type of roof (City of Asheville, reviewed October 12, 2026). If your list has any of those, ask the City who may do and permit the work.

General contractor vs design-build firm

AIA Contracts describes the two routes this way.

Design-build: you hire only one entity, the design-builder. You do not hire a separate architect and contractor. Design and construction usually have separate payment terms. If you reject the design proposal, you pay only for the design and pre-construction work already agreed. AIA says this may suit owners who want one contract and a faster, simpler process.

Design-bid-build (a general contractor plus an architect): you sign separate agreements with an architect and a contractor. The architect is usually hired first. The architect often helps you find a contractor and reviews bids and payment requests. The architect also approves change orders. At the end, the architect decides when the work is substantially complete and what goes on the punch list. AIA says this may suit owners who want to choose the architect and contractor separately.

Ask each general contractor you interview whether your job needs a designer (see the question list near the end).

Typical residential jobs a general contractor manages: whole-home remodel, kitchen, bathroom, addition, basement finish, garage conversion, interior repair

Pages for the main jobs are linked here. Ask each company which of these jobs it takes.

Basement finishing, garage conversion and ADU work as add-on jobs; no separate page at launch

Basement finishing, garage conversion and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) work are add-on jobs. The City of Asheville says each ADU must have its own kitchen, bathroom and living area. It can be a stand-alone building or space within or attached to the main house. On residential land with a single-family house, you can usually build one. You need a Development Services permit before any work starts. A property in a historic district also needs a Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness (City of Asheville ADU page, reviewed October 1, 2026).

The ADU rules are changing. A Missing Middle Housing amendment (Case 26-02460PZ) took effect August 25, 2026. It permits duplexes citywide and gives accessory dwelling units more flexibility. It also removes minimum off-street parking requirements. At its August 25 meeting Council also approved a larger maximum ADU size. The City pages we read do not give the new figure. Size, setback and parking details sit in the Unified Development Ordinance. Check the current text before you sign a plan.

New home construction vs remodeling: where a general contractor stops and a home builder starts

Ask each company whether it takes new construction, remodels of existing homes, or both.

How hiring works, step by step

1. First call and consultation. Describe the job, the budget range and the timeline. Ask before any visit whether it is free or whether a design or planning fee applies.
2. Scope and design. The scope is the list of what will and will not be done. Ask the company to put it in writing, with drawings if the job needs them.
3. Written estimate. The NC Attorney General's office tells homeowners to get at least three written estimates. It says to be careful with contractors who come to the door or leave flyers. It also says to check complaint history with the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's office. Give every company the same scope.
4. Contract. The contract is covered in its own section below.
5. Permits. In Asheville permits go through Development Services. The permit sections below cover when and how.
6. Schedule and ordering. Order cabinets and other long-lead items early. Typical lead times are in the timeline section below.
7. Build. City inspections come between stages. The turnaround times are in the inspections section below.
8. Final walkthrough and punch list. The punch list is the written list of anything unfinished. Tie the final payment to it in the contract (see the payment section below).

What a general contractor costs: fee or markup of 10 to 20 percent, fixed price vs cost-plus, national project ranges by job type

What does hiring a general contractor cost? Keep two numbers apart. One is the contractor's fee, which is the money for managing the job. The other is the project cost, which is the whole job. It covers labor, materials, subcontractors and the fee together.

We found no sourced Asheville per-job price, so this page does not invent one. The ranges below are national figures from Bob Vila cost guides, with the date of each. Use them to sanity-check a bid. Do not use them to predict one.

How much does a general contractor charge?

The commonly quoted general contractor fee is 10 to 20 percent of the construction cost (Bob Vila, "Hiring a contractor", updated September 12, 2022). On a $30,000 job that is $3,000 to $6,000. Ask whether the fee shows as a visible line or is built into the prices.

These are national figures, not Asheville prices. We have no sourced Asheville price. If a bid is far outside the range, ask what it includes. Details for each room are on the pages for kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and home additions.

Fee, markup, fixed price or cost-plus

Ask each company how it charges for management. The cost to hire a general contractor can be set up in different ways.

• Fixed price (lump sum). Ask if the bid is one price for a written scope. Ask if it includes a contingency. Ask how anything you add later is priced.
• Cost-plus. Ask if a bid is fixed price or cost-plus, and where the fee sits. If it is cost-plus, ask for a cap or a target on the total. Ask for copies of invoices.
• Markup. Ask if the bid is "cost plus a fee" or "marked-up prices". Ask where the fee is shown in the line items.

When you compare general contractor prices, ask each company to show if its fee is inside the numbers or on top. Then you compare like with like.

What moves a remodel price: scope, size, finishes, structural change, moving plumbing or walls, age of the home, permits, material lead times

• Scope and size. Ask each company how square feet, number of rooms and number of trades affect its price. Ask if moving plumbing, gas or a wall is a separate line.
• Finishes. Cabinets, counters, tile and fixtures: ask for a finish allowance line by line.
• Structure. Changing a load-bearing wall needs a permit at any cost (City of Asheville).
• Age of the house. About 56.1 percent of housing in the Asheville City Schools area was built before 1970 (ACS 2019-23, NCES). Ask how each company prices what may be found behind the walls of an older house. This figure is school-district geography, not the city boundary.
• Mountain sites. On a hillside lot, check if the steep-slope rules below apply. Ask each company to price access, drainage and slope work as separate lines. We have no sourced local dollar figure.
• Permits and inspections. The City of Asheville page we read does not list fee amounts. Ask the Permit Application Center for current fees.
• Cabinet tier. This Old House (updated June 8, 2026) gives prices per linear foot. Stock cabinets run $35 to $81. Semi-custom run $90 to $650. Custom run $150 to $1,200. It cites 2024 Angi and CabinetSelect reports. Custom also means the longest wait (see the timeline section).

Deposit and payment schedule: normal deposit range, milestone payments, red flag deposits

We found no North Carolina rule that sets a deposit percentage, so this page prints none. The NC Department of Justice says a deposit is reasonable. It says to avoid paying most or all of the work before it is finished. It also says to avoid paying in cash and to pay by credit card if possible. Get a written contract. It should detail all the work, the price, the payment schedule, the materials and the completion deadline (NC DOJ, Safe to Rebuild, written for western North Carolina after Helene).

The NC DOJ's home-improvement page adds why. A contractor who needs a lot of money upfront may have money problems. If you go ahead anyway, it says you could buy the materials yourself. You would then pay for labor once the project is finished.

Paying for a remodel: home equity loans, HELOCs and renovation loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says a home equity loan pays out as a lump sum. Its rate is fixed or adjustable. A HELOC works like a credit line. You can draw on it more than once, up to a maximum. Its rate is usually adjustable. Either one is a second mortgage payment on top of your first mortgage, if you have one.

The FTC adds that both use your home as collateral. The lender can foreclose if you do not repay. Lenders often prefer that you borrow no more than 80 percent of your home equity. A HELOC has a variable APR. Its draw period may require only interest payments. Afterwards you cannot borrow more, and you must repay the balance. The lender may freeze or reduce the line, for example after a big drop in home value. You can cancel a loan secured by your main residence within three business days, for any reason, in writing. The lender then has 20 days to refund your money.

If you are buying or refinancing, HUD's FHA 203(k) program insures one long-term loan. It covers the purchase or refinance and the rehabilitation. The home must be at least a year old. Money beyond the purchase or payoff goes into an escrow account. It is released as the work is completed. The Standard 203(k) is for major rehabilitation. The Limited 203(k) is for less costly repairs. Structural alterations and additions are eligible. For rehab without buying or refinancing, HUD points to its Title I Property Improvement Loan Program.

Licensing and registration: whether the state licenses general contractors, city and county licences, trade licences for electrical, plumbing and HVAC, how to verify

North Carolina requires a general contractor license for projects of $40,000 or more under G.S. 87-1. The limit was $30,000 before a 2023 change (S.L. 2023-108), so older articles may show the lower number (UNC School of Government, blog up to date as of May 1, 2025). The City of Asheville says it in plain words: over $40,000, you must hire a licensed General Contractor; under $40,000, you do not (City of Asheville, reviewed October 12, 2026). The NC Department of Justice agrees that the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors must license the contractor at that size. The UNC source notes exceptions, such as a smaller contract or an owner building on their own land for their own or family use. It also notes that an unlicensed person who bids on a covered project commits a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days and up to a $1,000 fine (G.S. 87-13).

City and county licences, and trade licences for electrical, plumbing and HVAC

The City of Asheville page we read describes only the $40,000 state line. It does not describe a separate city or county contractor licence. Trade work has its own state boards:

• Electrical. The NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors says no person, firm or corporation may do electrical contracting in North Carolina without the required license. It lists three classes. Limited covers a single project up to a value the Board sets. Intermediate is the middle class. Unlimited covers any electrical project, whatever the value. The statute text gives $100,000 for Limited and $200,000 for Intermediate. A note says the Board's rule limits are $60,000 and $150,000. The law does not apply to a person doing electric work on their own property. That holds only if the property is not meant for rent, lease or sale at the time.
• Plumbing, heating and air conditioning. The NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses anyone who contracts to install, alter or restore plumbing, heating or fire sprinkler systems. Heating includes air conditioning. Minor repairs and service work on plumbing and heating systems do not need a state license.

Ask the company which trades it hands to licensed subcontractors. Ask for the license names of those trades too.

What being under the license line does not mean

Being under the license line does not remove other rules. A permit can still be required at any price. That holds for load-bearing walls, new or changed plumbing, new or changed electrical, AC or heating, and a new type of roof. The lead-safe rule below depends on the age of the home, not the price. Under the line the City does not require a licensed contractor, so check what you are getting.

How to check a contractor

The NC Department of Justice tells homeowners to search the Licensing Board's website to confirm a license. Match the exact name on the license to the name on the bid and the contract. We could not read the Licensing Board's own pages for this guide. So we do not print its license-class limits. The NC Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Board adds that working under another contractor's license is illegal.

The owner-contractor exemption

An owner who intends to solely occupy the building can act as their own general contractor. This applies to a project that would otherwise need a licensed one. The owner cannot hand supervision to an unlicensed person (UNC School of Government). The owner must give a verified affidavit to the building inspector before a permit issues. If the building is not solely occupied by the owner for at least 12 months after completion, the owner is presumed not to have intended sole occupancy. If the Licensing Board finds an owner ineligible, the building permit must be revoked. Construction must stop. Swearing falsely on the affidavit is a Class F felony.

Permits and inspections: when a permit is needed, who pulls it, how long it takes, why unpermitted work is a problem when selling

Most larger residential projects need a permit. Certain work needs one at any cost (City of Asheville Development Services). Two practical questions follow. Who applies? What is the process?

When a permit is needed

• Most residential projects above the City's cost line (the same line as in the licensing section).
• Changing load-bearing walls, at any cost.
• Adding or changing plumbing, at any cost.
• Adding or changing electrical or AC/heating systems, at any cost.
• Installing a new type of roof, at any cost.
• Any development or (re)construction in the floodplain.

Who pulls the permit

Ask who applies. The NC Attorney General advises caution with a builder who asks you to pull the permits yourself. It could mean the contractor is not licensed. For an addition or remodel, the City lists these required forms:

• The Residential Permit Application.
• A Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Sewer Service Application.
• An NC Lien Agent Designation.
• A Water Availability and Meter Application.

Depending on the property, the City may also want other forms. These are a Residential Floodplain Checklist, a Design Professional Acceptance Form, an Owner's Affidavit, a Site Sketch Plan or a Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness.

Applications go in through the City's Development Portal or in person at the Permit Application Center. Trade permits and re-roof permits go through the Citizen Access website. It needs an account login. The Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Board also says to be wary if you are asked to pull a permit in your name.

Plan review and the waiver

City plan review can be skipped in three cases. The work is interior or roof only. Or you hired a licensed General Contractor. Or a licensed architect or engineer signed the plans. Even then, the city must get a copy of the plans (Residential Plan Review Waiver). This is one real benefit of hiring a licensed contractor in the city. The page does not give review times. Ask the Permit Application Center. The city lists it as open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Inspections

City building safety inspections run Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For next-day service, book online before 6:00 p.m. or by phone before 4:30 p.m. Building and trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, heating/HVAC) have next-business-day turnaround. Grading, soil erosion and stormwater work takes 2 business days. Zoning and landscaping take 3 business days. The city also allows video inspections for some small items. Examples are shower pans or sewer and water trenches up to 100 feet. Video is not allowed for life-safety items, most electrical work, gas lines or flood-zone checks. Ask your contractor which inspections apply to your job and who books them.

These next-day turnarounds are for inspections. They are not for plan review or permit issuance. Do not assume your permit will be quick.

Can I be my own contractor?

Yes, with conditions. In Asheville an owner may act as their own contractor on their own home. You or your family must live there at least 12 months after the work. You cannot rent or sell it during that year. Owner-done plumbing, heating or electrical work needs a permit and a passed inspection. Owner-wired electrical work also requires passing a homeowner's electrical test.

Why unpermitted work is a problem when selling

The North Carolina sources we read do not state a rule on telling a buyer about unpermitted work. So we print none. Ask a real estate attorney. What the sources do say is about the work itself. The Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Board says the contractor should get the permits. It says to ask to see the permit before work begins. It also says inspections check code compliance, not work quality. A furnace or heating unit replacement needs a permit and inspection. Separate plumbing, heating and electrical permits may apply on top of a building permit. That is true for structural work or changes to a home's basic living area. In the owner-contractor case, a permit can be revoked and construction stopped if the owner turns out to be ineligible. Keep the permit and passed inspection results with your house papers.

Which office issues the permit outside the city

The City of Asheville handles properties inside the city. Ask your contractor which permit office applies to your address. Do this before a permit date is promised.

The state building code in effect was the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code as of April 2025. The State Fire Marshal said the 2024 code was delayed. We could not confirm its status after that date. Ask your contractor which code applies to your permit.

Asheville conditions that change the job

Floodplain: the 50 percent rule

All development and (re)construction in the Asheville floodplain needs a permit from Development Services. A remodel or addition counts as a "substantial improvement" when its cost equals or tops 50 percent of the structure's market value. The cost is added up over one continuous year. At that line the building must meet new-construction flood standards. On January 28, 2025, City Council adopted text amendments. The amendments call for rebuilt structures to be elevated 2 feet above base flood elevation. The one-year lookback stays. Historic-designated properties may ask for a variance. The City article gives no effective date, so ask which version applies to your permit. Cleanup and temporary emergency repairs can go ahead without a permit. They must be meant to prevent further damage.

You can check flood maps at msc.fema.gov or fris.nc.gov. If your house is in or near a flood zone, tell every company you call. Then the quote can include the floodplain checklist and any elevation work.

Steep slopes and landslide risk

Asheville's steep slope rules are in UDO Section 7-12-4. Zone A is property between the 2,220 and 2,349 foot elevation contours. Zone B is all property at or above 2,350 feet with an average natural slope of 15 percent or more. In Zone B, tree removal needs a permit. The city's landslide guidance names 13 neighborhoods with higher risk. They include Beaucatcher, Haw Creek, Kenilworth, Town Mountain and Biltmore Village. It advises you to always hire a qualified, licensed geologist or engineer to judge slope stability before construction. If your lot is on a hillside, start an addition or a new retaining wall with that question.

Historic districts

The four local historic districts are Albemarle Park, Biltmore Village, Montford and St. Dunstan's. All properties in them are subject to design review by the Historic Resources Commission. Properties only in a National Register district are not. The City's accessory dwelling unit page says a historic-district property also needs a Major Work Certificate of Appropriateness. The City describes the Historic Resources Commission as a joint city-county board. It decides certificates of appropriateness in local historic overlay districts and on local landmarks. The page we read does not give review times. Ask before you set a start date.

Digging, utilities and covenants

• NC811. NC811 is the state's call-before-you-dig service. Contact it at least three working days before digging. Utilities mark public lines at no cost. Private lines, such as one to a detached garage or well, are not marked by 811. They need separate locating.
• Sewer and water. A remodel that adds fixtures needs the MSD Sewer Service Application. The Metropolitan Sewerage District serves City of Asheville residents and other Buncombe County subdivisions.
• Deed restrictions. The City's accessory dwelling unit page says a city permit does not override private deed restrictions or covenants. If your neighborhood has an association, ask it if it has rules for your job.

Weather and scheduling

The Asheville Chamber's climate fact sheet (NOAA source) lists annual normals of 45.47 inches of precipitation and 9.9 inches of snowfall. Monthly precipitation normals run from 3.37 inches in October up to 5.04 inches in August. So every month has at least 3.37 inches. Ask your contractor how weather days are handled in the schedule.

Written estimate and contract: scope, allowances, change orders, schedule, warranty terms, lien waivers

The NC Department of Justice says a written home-improvement contract should cover these points: the quality of materials, the total price for labor and materials, any warranties or guarantees, start and finish dates, and who is in charge of cleanup and trash removal. For work in western North Carolina it adds the payment schedule and the completion deadline. It also says the buyer can generally cancel within three business days for contracts signed at home. The contract should state this. The seller should give you a signed copy at signing.

• Scope of work. What is included, what is excluded, and who removes debris.
• Allowances. An allowance is a set budget for something you have not picked yet, such as tile or a faucet. Get in writing how overages and credits are handled.
• Change orders. A change order is a written change to scope, price or schedule. Have both sides sign every change. State the price and time effect. The architect's role in approving change orders appears in the design-bid-build route above.
• Schedule. Sebring Design Build advises a written schedule. It should list start dates, phase completion dates and working hours before demolition.
• Warranty terms. See the warranty section below.
• Liens. The city lists an NC Lien Agent Designation form for remodels (City of Asheville). We found no stored source on NC lien-waiver practice. Ask a lawyer for legal advice.

Insurance and what to ask for: certificate of insurance, workers' compensation, subcontractor coverage

The NC Attorney General advises asking to see the contractor's insurance policy or bond. It says to confirm coverage directly with the insurer, especially for roofing, painting or tree removal. The NC Industrial Commission says a business covered by the Workers' Compensation Act must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify as a self-insured employer. Businesses that regularly employ three or more employees are generally covered. Corporate officers count toward the three. Sole proprietors, partners and LLC members are not counted automatically. They may choose coverage for themselves. Ask if the company and its subcontractors are covered.

Subcontractors, project manager and how updates are given

Ask which trades are subcontracted on your job, who schedules and pays them, who your day-to-day lead is, and how and how often you get updates.

Hidden problems, schedule and living at home

Hidden problems behind walls and floors (rot, old wiring, structural surprises) and how change orders and contingency handle them

Sebring Design Build, a regional contractor writing about Williamson County, Tennessee, advises holding a contingency of 15 to 20 percent above the contracted project cost. The higher end is for older homes (article dated May 31, 2021). That is one firm's rule of thumb. It is not an Asheville or North Carolina standard. About 56.1 percent of housing in the Asheville City Schools area was built before 1970 (ACS 2019-23, school-district geography). So older-house surprises are a real risk. Agree before you sign on who approves spending the contingency. Use the written change order for anything beyond it.

How long a remodel takes

We found no sourced Asheville timeline, so none is printed. Manufacturer and trade sources give these national pieces for a kitchen:

• Phases (KraftMaid, no page date). Planning takes "as long as you need". Ordering and preparation includes cabinets taking "a minimum of 4 weeks to arrive". Demolition and rough-in takes "a few days-2 weeks". Rough-in means plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall and painting. Installation and finishing takes "4-6 weeks". The whole project may last "a few weeks or a few months".
• Cabinet lead times (This Old House, updated June 8, 2026). Stock cabinets from home centers take one to five weeks. Semi-custom take usually five to six weeks. Custom take eight weeks to six months.

Inspection turnaround, once you book, is in the inspections section above. Plan for permit waits separately. The City page gives no review time.

Living at home during the work: dust and debris control, protecting the rest of the house

Sebring Design Build suggests four steps. First, set up a temporary kitchen in another room before demolition. Use a microwave, electric kettle, toaster oven and mini refrigerator on a sturdy table. Second, seal doorways between work and living areas with plastic sheeting. Third, run a HEPA air purifier in main living spaces during demolition or drywall work. Fourth, ask the crew to clean daily with a HEPA vacuum.

Pro Remodeler describes one remodeler's plan. It uses temporary walls of plastic sheeting. It turns off HVAC serving the work area when weather allows and seals the registers. Cabinets and floors are covered. The article calls negative air pressure in the work area "the most effective way to keep dust from escaping". It notes that a box fan sealed in a window is a low-cost way to create it (July 11, 2016).

Homes built before 1978: the lead-safe rule

EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule covers work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes built before 1978. Anyone paid to do this work must be certified, including sole proprietors. Workers must be trained certified renovators or trained on the job by one. The rule generally does not apply to owners working on their own home. In the Asheville City Schools area, 56.1 percent of housing was built before 1970. Ask any company you consider if it is certified under the RRP rule. Ask how it contains dust. The EPA page we read did not say if North Carolina runs its own program. Ask the company to confirm.

Warranties: what a workmanship warranty covers and what to get in writing

The NC Department of Justice lists "any warranties or guarantees" among the terms a written home-improvement contract should cover. We found no North Carolina source for a typical warranty length or a statutory warranty period, so none is printed. Put the length in the contract. Put what it excludes and how to report a problem there too. Keep the maker's warranties on products such as windows and appliances with it. For legal questions about warranty rights, ask a North Carolina attorney.

How to choose a general contractor: comparing bids and red flags

Compare like with like

1. Give every company the same scope, plans and finish list.
2. Ask for line items: demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, finishes, permits, cleanup and the fee.
3. Compare allowances and ask how each was set.
4. Check what is excluded: permit fees, disposal, painting, design fees.
5. Compare the schedule, not only the price.
6. Compare the paperwork: license (when required), insurance certificate and the warranty.

Red flags

• A large deposit up front, or a request to pay in cash (NC DOJ).
• No written contract, or a contract with a vague scope.
• A request that you pull the permits and arrange the inspections yourself. The NC DOJ says this may mean the contractor is not licensed.
• A contractor who comes to your door or leaves flyers (NC DOJ says to be careful).
• A job over the state license line with no license.
• No insurance certificate, or one that cannot be confirmed with the insurer.
• If one price is far below the others, ask what is left out.

Questions to ask a general contractor before hiring

• Do you hold a license for a job this size, and what is the exact name and number?
• Can you send a certificate of insurance showing workers' compensation and general liability?
• Who applies for the permit, and which inspections will you book?
• Is your price fixed or cost-plus, and where is your fee?
• Which allowances are in the bid, and how are overages handled?
• Who is my day-to-day contact, and how often will I get updates?
• Which parts of the job will subcontractors do?
• How do you handle a change order or a hidden problem?
• What is the workmanship warranty and what does it exclude?
• If my home was built before 1978, are you RRP certified?

If you want to see how our referral works, read about Asheville General Contractor Pros. When you are ready to talk to a company, contact us or call (804) 889-2677.

Areas served

• Asheville
• Hendersonville
• Waynesville
• Black Mountain
• Fletcher
• Woodfin
• Mills River
• Weaverville
• Biltmore Forest

We connect homeowners in Asheville and nearby towns with an independent local general contractor company. Towns include Hendersonville, Waynesville, Black Mountain, Fletcher, Woodfin, Mills River, Weaverville and Biltmore Forest. The company you speak to should tell you at the first call which permit office your address falls under (see the permit section above).

Frequently asked questions

Related services

Planning one room or a bigger change? See kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and home additions.

Sources

1. City of Asheville, Residential permits and development (retrieved 2026-10-30)
2. City of Asheville, Apply for a residential permit (retrieved 2026-10-30)
3. City of Asheville, Inspections (retrieved 2026-10-30)
4. UNC School of Government, general contractor licensing (retrieved 2026-10-30)
5. Bob Vila, Hiring a contractor (retrieved 2026-10-30)
6. Bob Vila, Kitchen remodel cost (published 2025-05-16, retrieved 2026-10-27)
7. Bob Vila, Bathroom remodel cost (published 2024-06-26, retrieved 2026-10-27)
8. Bob Vila, Home addition cost (published 2024-05-21, retrieved 2026-10-27)
9. NC Department of Justice, Home improvement (retrieved 2026-10-30)
10. EPA, Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (retrieved 2026-10-30)
11. City of Asheville, Flood information (retrieved 2026-10-30)
12. City of Asheville, Council flood ordinance amendments (retrieved 2026-10-30)
13. City of Asheville, steep slope and tree rules (retrieved 2026-10-30)
14. City of Asheville, Landslides (retrieved 2026-10-30)
15. City of Asheville, Historic district guidelines (retrieved 2026-10-30)
16. City of Asheville, Accessory dwelling units (retrieved 2026-10-30)
17. City of Asheville, Sewer services (retrieved 2026-10-30)
18. NC811 (retrieved 2026-10-30)
19. NCES, ACS dashboard, Asheville City Schools (retrieved 2026-10-30)
20. Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, climate fact sheet (NOAA data) (retrieved 2026-10-30)
21. NC Office of State Fire Marshal, 2024 building code delay notice (published 2025-04-07, retrieved 2026-10-30)
22. UNC School of Government, contracting without a license (retrieved 2026-10-30)
23. UNC School of Government, owner-contractor building projects (retrieved 2026-10-30)
24. NC Department of Justice, Safe to Rebuild (retrieved 2026-10-30)
25. NC Industrial Commission, workers' compensation insurance requirement (retrieved 2026-10-30)
26. NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, licensing law (retrieved 2026-10-30)
27. NC Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, consumer awareness (retrieved 2026-10-30)
28. CFPB, home equity loan vs HELOC (retrieved 2026-10-30)
29. FTC, home equity loans and lines of credit (retrieved 2026-10-30)
30. HUD, FHA 203(k) program (retrieved 2026-10-30)
31. City of Asheville, Zoning administration (retrieved 2026-10-30)
32. City of Asheville, UDO text amendments (retrieved 2026-10-30)
33. City of Asheville, August 25 City Council meeting (retrieved 2026-10-30)
34. AIA Contracts, design-bid-build and design-build (retrieved 2026-10-30)
35. This Old House, all about cabinets (updated 2026-06-08) (retrieved 2026-10-30)
36. KraftMaid, project timeline (retrieved 2026-10-30)
37. Sebring Design Build, living in your home during a remodel (2021-05-31) (retrieved 2026-10-30)
38. Pro Remodeler, The Dirt on Dust, Part 2 (2016-07-11) (retrieved 2026-10-30)