No matter what kind of project you are tackling, your general contractor should have a good track record of completed work and satisfied customers. Search for the best general contractors in Washington, D.C., and look for positive customer reviews and project photos that are similar to your project. 

Make sure your general contractor has the proper license, insurance and registration. You can ask pros to send you this information, or you can search for it online. 

Hire a D.C. contractor after you receive cost estimates from at least three or five general contractors.

Demolition services cost $800, on average, with a cost range between $644 and $1,000. Demolishing your kitchen or bathroom may cost around $1,000 or more, depending on its size and the amount of work involved. However, demolishing a house can cost up to $30,000 (or more).

Contacting contractors is the best way to find out how much demolitions services cost in your area. That's because there are several factors that play into the total cost. The first is the size of your house, property or structure. Smaller homes that can be demolished with a single excavator will cost less than larger homes that may require more equipment and personnel, as well as more waste disposal fees. Also, labor rates will vary depending on your region. 

Construction project managers help in all stages of your construction project, starting from the very first step. Typically paid a percentage of a total project cost, they are part of the design and planning process and help ensure seamless communication between the design parties and the construction team. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, their scope of work includes preparing cost estimates, budgets and work timetables; interpreting and explaining contracts and technical information to other professionals; reporting work progress and budget to clients; collaborating with architects, engineers and other construction pros; selecting subcontractors and scheduling and coordinating their tasks; responding to work delays, emergencies and other problems; and ensuring compliance with legal requirements, building and safety codes, and other regulations.

The work of construction project managers may seem very similar to that of general contractors, but there are some critical differences. One difference is that, unlike most general contractors, project managers are not engaged in the actual construction — they are onsite overseeing the work of subcontractors. Another key difference is that project managers are hired during the design phase, while general contractors are hired after plans have been made. The project manager is generally paid a percentage of the total project cost, while the general contractor is more typically paid according to the bid they gave to build your project.  

On average, it costs between $3,000 and $35,000 to demolish an entire house. Demolition also involves a number of factors that will influence the cost. House demolition pros will factor in the location of the demolition site, as well as whether they’re partially or completely tearing down the structure. They will also charge for outbuildings that need to be demolished, as well as dump fees for disposing of the waste.

You may choose to hire a construction project manager for your residential or commercial project. For the hands-on homeowner who wants to be involved in home construction but isn’t comfortable hiring subcontractors, a construction project manager can oversee these relationships and supervise labor. Typically, construction project managers charge a fee that is a flat percentage of the total construction project cost. This may range from 10 percent to 15 percent, depending on the company and the services they provide. This means a $30,000 home remodel project would have a construction project management fee of $3,000-$4,500. Hiring a construction project manager generally precludes the markup on subcontractor labor charged by a general contractor. The drawback to this choice is that, unlike a general contractor, the construction project manager won’t be financially responsible for the work of the subcontractors. For larger projects, you may hire a construction project manager who will also hire a general contractor. This provides the benefits of the general contractor along with the management services of the project manager, who will be on board from the beginning. The construction project manager will be involved in the design phase and work with the architects and the building crew, facilitating a smoother overall process.

For more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

It’s important to know if your project requires work by a licensed professional, as licensing laws can vary by state, locality, and job details. You can find general licensing information online at the government websites that handle occupational licensing for a given profession in your state or location. Some states designate a project cost over which you have to hire a licensed contractor. To find qualified licensed contractors, search your state’s licensing board. For example, in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs operates a searchable database through the Contractors State License Board. In some states, contracting licenses are provided at a regional level. You can find links to specific databases on BRB Publications’ Occupational Licensing page. Red flags that a contractor may not be licensed or may be providing an expired or false license number are unreasonably low bids or a request for complete payment upfront. For more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

A contractor license number is proof that your contractor is operating their business legally, that they have the proper documentation required by your state or region, and that they are competent in their area of work (electrical, plumbing, construction, etc.). Licensed contractors should freely advertise their contractor license number. If not, you can request it before considering them for hire. You can also research your contractor using their license number. The database for your state will indicate the field they are licensed to work in; whether they are up to date on insurance, workers’ compensation and bonds; and whether they have any consumer complaints issued against them. If the licensed contractor you are hiring does not have employees, they are not required to carry workers’ compensation. Each state or region will have their own database for licenses, such as the State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board. For more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.  

If you’re not a professional, demolition work can be difficult, taxing and strenuous — not to mention dangerous, particularly when extensive precautions aren’t taken. 

Demolition involves an understanding of structures and how buildings are built. This allows workers to understand the potential consequences of tampering with or removing things like walls, beams and other structures. Demolition also involves the use of heavy equipment like excavators. Dangers include falling debris, explosions, dust and other risks like collapsing ceilings and floors.

If you choose to have your house torn down by machinery, you will need to hire a demolition contractor or company. These jobs require the use of heavy machinery like excavators, wrecking balls, bulldozers and more. The waste will then be scooped up and placed in dumpsters, which are hauled away by trucks. Another type of demolition is done by hand, and this service can leave you with salvageable parts to reuse in another home. 

Search for demolition professionals on Thumbtack, and make your decision based on their customer ratings, reviews, project photos and cost estimates.

This depends mostly on the size of the house and the complexity of operating on the worksite. Generally, you can expect a house teardown to take between one and several days. When you’re discussing your demolition project with potential local contractors, also ask them how long the project will take.