The Best Home Renovation Contractors of 2022 (2023)

With the per square foot cost of houses on the upswing, being able to afford a new house is beyond the financial scope of many current homeowners who would like to move up. The next best thing is often remodeling an existing home to update it and make it more attractive and comfortable. Renovating a home consists of a wide array of projects, from remodeling a nursery to create a preteen bedroom to repurposing an adjacent bedroom to create an upscale en suite.

Often, the homeowner has a general idea of the look and design they’re going for but cannot visualize the finished project, usually due to a lack of construction knowledge. That’s where the best home renovation contractors come in—they have the ability to turn a homeowner’s ideas into reality while staying within the scope of local building codes and budget. Ahead, learn what to look for when selecting a renovation contractor, and find out why the following companies earned a spot on this lineup.

1. BEST OVERALL: Mr. Handyman
2. RUNNER-UP: Contractors Inc
3. BEST FOR RESTORATION: Belfor Property Restoration
4. BEST FOR KITCHENS: Granite and TREND Transformations
5. BEST FOR BATHROOMS: Re-Bath
6. BEST FOR EXTERIORS: Power Home Remodeling Group
7. ALSO CONSIDER: The Home Depot

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Renovation Contractors

Home updates are exciting, but they can also be anxiety inducing when homeowners have to choose a renovation contractor they can trust to do a quality job. This is one area where it pays to do some research and reference checking. The general rule of thumb is to get estimates from three licensed contractors and compare them side by side. Still, there are other important considerations, such as where the contractor is located, the type of warranty the company offers, and whether the contractor can keep the project within budget. Choosing a contractor with a stellar reputation can help avoid a lot of construction nightmares.

Contractor’s Coverage Area

In general, it’s best to hire a contractor that is based nearby. A local contractor will know the local building codes and have no problem pulling the necessary permits. Unfortunately, for those living in small communities or rural areas, it’s not always possible to find a local contractor, particularly if specialized services such as bathtub membrane recoating are desired.

General home remodeling contractors typically have a coverage area that allows them to reach their clients within an hour or so of their home base. Specialty contractors will often have a more comprehensive coverage area because they serve a niche that general contractors don’t.

Searching online for “remodeling companies near me” will turn up a plethora of options from which to choose. When hiring a contractor that’s more than an hour’s drive away, the main consideration to be aware of is the addition of a travel charge, which can add substantially to the cost of the project if the contractor and crew need several days, or weeks, to complete the project.

Budget and Extent of Renovation

Before talking to any contractor, decide on a budget for the project. A small project, such as having a room repainted or having old wallpaper stripped and installing new wallpaper, will be less expensive than adding an addition to a house or gutting the kitchen and then installing a brand-new one, complete with new cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances, and quartz countertops.

Homeowners can find many online renovation and remodeling calculators that will give them a good ballpark idea of the cost of their desired project. Still, in the end, the final cost will depend on what a contractor is willing to do the job for, the going rate of labor in a community, and the quality of the materials chosen. By establishing a firm budget in advance, it’s less likely to be tempted to exceed it.

Warranties

Warranties vary by location and by the individual contractor, but most of the time, a company will offer a minimum 1-year guarantee on their workmanship. This means if there’s a problem, such as a leaking sink drain due to faulty installation, the contractor will come back and fix it within a year of the project’s completion.

Additionally, contractors linked to manufacturers, such as contractors who install a specific brand of fiber-cement siding, will often warranty the workmanship for 1 year as well as the material itself against factory defects.

When the contractor has no link to the material, the homeowner will likely have to pursue a warranty for a factory defect from a product’s manufacturer. An example would be a case where the homeowner purchases a jetted bathtub and then hires a contractor to install it. If the tub’s motor conks out a month after installation, the contractor who installed it is not on the hook for repairing it. Instead, the homeowner needs to contact the tub’s manufacturer to see what type of product warranty is involved.

Subcontractors

The work and quality of a general contractor is only as good as the subcontractors who work for the company. For some homeowners, it’s concerning if a general remodeling contractor subs out various aspects of the project, such as plumbing, wiring, and insulating, to subcontractors. Subcontractors often work with many general contractors, so the project may slow down if a subcontractor has to complete another job before starting a new project.

For this reason, on a project where a large general contractor personally employs framers, electricians, and plumbers, the project timeline will often go smoother, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a bad idea to hire a contractor who uses subs. Many subcontractors perform high-quality work. If subs will be on the job, the homeowner should check the references of the general contractor and the references of the subs who will be involved.

Licensure and Credentials

Licensing laws vary by state and individual community, so the homeowner should first consult the local building authority to determine which credentials are required in the community. If the contractor is licensed with a state or local board, the homeowner can often check to see if the contractor has any outstanding complaints and if the company is insured and bonded.

Training and certification may be required to install specific materials, such as spray foam insulation, which requires a certified expert trained to use the equipment necessary to install the foam. The homeowner can often check with the company to see if the installer is in good standing.

Financing

Small, local contractors will often require payment for the project upon completion, but national renovation companies and service providers that operate out of franchises may offer financing. Alternatively, homeowners can often secure a home equity loan through a local lender for home renovations if the lender determines the updates will increase the home’s value and sales appeal. This will depend not only on the type of project but also on the homeowner’s credit rating, how long they’ve lived in the community, and whether they already have a high debt-to-income ratio.

If a contractor offers to finance, the terms will be spelled out in a home renovation contract. They will include the interest rate charged by the contractor, the payment period length and number of payments, and whether the homeowner can pay off the debt early without penalty.

Customer Feedback

A couple of decades ago, homeowners had only one option for finding out how satisfied others were with a specific contractor—they had to request a list of recent clients from the contractor and then contact them. This is often still a good idea in small communities, but today, more and more contractors have a web presence, and many allow past clients to post comments and feedback. Of course, the contractor may choose only to post complimentary feedback, so if no complaints appear, the homeowner may still want to get a list of recent clients and consult them.

Our Top Picks

We researched and vetted dozens of contractors that offer nationwide renovation and remodeling services for this lineup. The following contractors were selected based on service coverage area—some are nationwide, while others service large geographic regions—whether they offer warranties, and whether the companies also offer financing.

Our Verdict

Good contractors can be found in every community. Still, for exceptional nationwide services, the top picks in this lineup are Mr. Handyman, with its extensive coverage area and financing options, and the runner-up, Contractors Inc, a company that takes on whole-house projects, including big-ticket, luxury, and commercial projects.

How We Chose the Best Home Renovation Contractors

To qualify for this lineup of the best renovation contractors, a construction company had to have a broad base of operation and show a history of dedication to quality workmanship and customer service. It also had to demonstrate expertise in its range of services. Homeowners typically ask for help locating “remodelers near me,” so the companies needed to have multiple branches.

We also awarded points for companies that offered project financing. In some cases, homeowners need repairs or renovations in order to make the home salable or livable. However, not everyone has the cash set aside to pay for large renovation projects, so company financing is a perk.

Before You Hire One of the Best Home Renovation Contractors

While these renovation contractors are highly successful and offer services over a large geographic area, they might not be suitable in all situations. If none of these contractors service a specific region, the next best option is to use tried-and-true methods to find a contractor in the general vicinity. Among the best ways to locate contractors is through a local lender. By asking for a list of the best “remodeling companies near me,” the lender can put together a list of the companies with the best reputations.

In addition, if the homeowner will have the project financed by taking out a home equity loan on their house, the lender will be interested in making sure they hire a contractor that will improve the home’s value.

Cost of Hiring One of the Best Home Renovation Contractors

Renovation projects vary widely in cost, but in general, they range from about $18,052 to $76,416, with a national average of about $46,792 for a whole-house project. However, the final cost will depend on many things, such as project size, the going price of labor in the community, whether a company has to travel more than an hour to reach the home, and more. At the low end, small projects can run as little as $3,400, while high-end or luxury renovations can top $150,000.

The quality of materials chosen will also impact the overall price charged by the contractor—quartz countertops are more expensive than preformed laminate, and selecting pricey appliances and fixtures can significantly increase the final tally.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Home Renovation Contractors

By choosing reputable renovation contractors, homeowners have the best shot at getting quality work. A good contractor will stay on top of the project and see it through from the initial design stage to completion. The best home renovation contractors will be fully insured, so the homeowner is covered in the event something is damaged or a worker is injured while on the job.

Acting as one’s own general contractor for a renovation job isn’t for the faint of heart. Sure, homeowners can save a few bucks if they wear the hat of a general contractor, but it might end up being more trouble than it’s worth because finding quality subcontractors, scheduling them, pulling permits (if necessary), and ordering materials can quickly become overwhelming. Reputable contractors come with some distinct advantages.

• A single project manager oversees the whole job.
• The homeowner receives a warranty on workmanship.
• The contractor performs call-back visits if small aspects are missed.

FAQs

Renovating a home or part of a home can be a pricey proposition, and it can disturb a family’s way of life for days or weeks. Still, it’s generally the way homeowners update their properties and increase their home’s value. Those who are just starting to think about hiring a renovation contractor will likely have a few questions.

Q. How much do renovation contractors charge?

That varies, depending on project size, the quality of the materials and fixtures, and the going rate of labor. In general, most homeowners pay in the neighborhood of $46,792 for a whole-house renovation. When contacting a company, be sure to ask, “Does the company offer home remodeling near me?” The less time the contractor and crew have to spend traveling to the location, the lower the final cost.

Q: How long does it take for a home renovation contractor to renovate a house?

It could take a few days if the renovations are minimal or it could take weeks or even months to complete complex renovations.

Q. Do home renovation contractors offer free estimates?

Most home renovation contractors will provide homeowners with free estimates. Be aware, however, that an estimate is just a ballpark figure. The final cost may vary.

Q. Do home renovation contractors prepare multiple renovation plans?

It depends on the size of the company and the scope of its services. Some renovation contractors only offer plans for specific home areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom, while others will prepare plans for whole-house remodeling.

Q. Do home renovation contractors sign a contract before work begins?

Almost always. A contract protects both the client and the contractor if problems happen down the line, such as desired materials going out of stock, a need for change orders, or personality conflicts.

Q. What’s the best way to find home remodeling contractors near me?

Consider one of the contractors in the above lineup, or ask for referrals from friends, real estate agents, and lenders. Do some due diligence, research the company, ask for a firm bid, and make sure everyone is on the same page before signing on the dotted line.