Find a general contractor near Alamo Heights, TX

Top 10 General Contractors near Alamo Heights, TX

Avatar for DreamHomes RG
Avatar for DreamHomes RG
6.
DreamHomes RG
6.
DreamHomes RG

Great 4.8

(13)

Great 4.8

(13)

General Contracting, Home Remodeling

  • 40 hires on Thumbtack
  • Serves Alamo Heights, TX
Chris C. says, "This is my 100% honest review of my experience working with DreamHomes RG. I had a total loss of power in my 3rd bedroom (outlets, switches, ceiling fan all not working) and an additional two outlets in the adjoining room. I had been led to believe my a handyman who claimed to have a working knowledge of house wiring and schematic circuitry that this could be a big, expensive fix as he could not find any obvious origin of the problem. I let a lot of time go by (3; years) before I finally determined to get a professional in to diagnose this problem and get some estimates. I reached out several electricians on Thumbtack, preparing for a perhaps challenging road of meeting with a number of pros and see who ultimately is the best bet based on both reasonable pricing and overall knowledge/ability. DreamHomes RG turned out to be the third of at least 5 pros that were scheduled to come for a service call this far . All those scheduled were offering to come for free and give me an estimate and some sort of answer on what the problem is. First guy came and was able to provide with a starting point as far as a range of possible things it could be and kind of a best/worst scenario cost to repair. But he said he couldn't give me a definitive answer unless I paid him to come back and do an actual service call. Next! Second guy was very established/experienced. He was honest in telling me I probably couldn't afford him, but he did do some preliminary checks with me and gave me some very solid and expert tips on how to troubleshoot myself, what steps to take to ultimately identify the source of the loss of current on that circuit and his advice on how to repair it myself. He answered any question I had based on this information. And he did all the for free, which was very kind and extremely helpful, because everything he told me was spot on. Third one to arrive is DreamHomes RG. This is a father and son team. The dad does not speak English, but he does the work. And the son translates for us in a way that is clear and concise. With the information I gave them, they were able to identify the source very quickly (within minutes) and repair it right there and then just as quickly. They were extremely knowledgeable and professional and clearly knew what they were doing. They were able to communicate to me exactly what the issue was. And they did the repair, restoring power to that circuit, in record time. Obviously they got the job. And it would be 5 stars across the board except for a couple little things which they would certainly benefit from by modifying their presentation and the son's social skills. So what they could do much better (which will definitely insure them more jobs and repeat business) is: 1) The son was not 100% upfront when he messaged and offered to come assess the problem for free. As after they got here and had already started troubleshooting, that's when he brought up a $59 service call fee. I told him I was not informed of this and was still in the process of meeting with electricians and had yet to identify the problem or a quote, so it was up to him whether they want to stay and continue or leave but that I can't pay them for this "free" assessment but will be grateful for anything can do to help me get to the bottom of this. 2) The son was actually very off-putting from the moment he arrived. He had a big attitude problem. He was very dismissive of me and seemed to be passing judgement. He was even insulting to a degree, basically saying that he didn't think I had any money and wasn't serious about this repair. Which is a lot to conclude based on what I don't know. But it was disrespectful and absolutely poor customer service and it wouldn't be tolerated by many I imagine. He could have easily lost them the job right then. But the poor Dad was hard at work trying to find the problem and has no idea what his son is saying to me, so I just let him continue. 3) The son continued to be abrupt with me, very dismissive, blatantly passing judgments on me in my own home and did not seem to want to be there at all. But he did tell me what the dad was doing and answered any questions I had, although begrudgingly. But that dad was so invested in what he was doing, I couldn't make him pay for his son's nearly outrageous behavior. 3) Fortunately for everybody, the dad found the problem real quick. And that dad, completely unaware of his son's horrible social skills and marketing strategy, is just going about making the repair. So the son literally asks me if I'm going to pay them for doing the job? And I'm like, "of course I'm gonna pay you. You're fixing the problem. Like why would I not pay you? But we haven't settled on even the service fee. So what do you think is fair for your time and labor?" They identified the problem within minutes, so the repair was completed in under 30 minutes tops. But they sure did restore well and show me exactly what the source was and what the fix was. So... before I even started coming up with an offer I thought would be fair, the son asked me if I could afford $100. Which at this point is like, "Oh yes. Absolutely. On top of the service call or what?" He says $100 flat total. I'm like YES!!! Now if the son could learn how to get out of his own way and get his presentation down and his priorities straight, they would be the team to beat, I'm sure. He needs to maybe take some classes in business and public speaking, Public relations, communication and basic common sense. Because if the son could tailor his presentation to match the quality and efficiency of the work and sharpen up his customer service skills, I'm sure most anybody would value the work they did. I imagine most people might think that repair for the time it took etc. was probably worth at least $100 for the result. Probably most would not have any problem with paying somewhere between $200-$300 for what they did. If the dad spoke English, I probably would have paid him at least another $100 directly plus tip. And if they had not been unclear with the service charge but just quoted me $300 to make the repair once it had been identified. I would have definitely accepted that quote and officially hired them. But as it turned out the son got what he asked for. And I still very much value and appreciate everything they did. I am very grateful for the service they provided. Would I hire them again, all things considered? Probably. At the very least, I would give them an opportunity to come for a service call and opportunity to put in first bid and the chance to put in a final bid if someone else came in with a better one. And I would probably even pay them the service fee in addition, now that I know I'll get what I'm paying for. At the end of the day, yeah they did an exceptional job. But almost never had the chance to demonstrate their ability and skill level. You have to earn people business and loyalty, trust and respect. And that comes from the work. The work starts with the first communication and ends after the job is done or the service promised has been fulfilled. In this case, the series of events was so all over the place that ultimately they won my respect and my loyalty but lost their service fee and didn't get paid as much as they should have because the son was too abrasive and arrogant and smug for his own good. But I guarantee if he gets his shit together and learns how to approach each project/client on a case by case basis, he could tailor his quotes based on some sort of a sliding scale, and they would rack up a lot of business and probably, in time, leave the competition in the dust. They can easily prove their worth in the work they do. So if the one who speaks English and basically finds all the jobs got a strategically targeted pitch down and just perfects his delivery, they will be very successful. If he doesn't, he's still gonna get hired and rehired by some but he is going to limit their options severely. They have the potential to really establish themselves as tops of the trade. I will call them for future jobs. Yes. Time will tell the rest."See more
Chris C. says, "This is my 100% honest review of my experience working with DreamHomes RG. I had a total loss of power in my 3rd bedroom (outlets, switches, ceiling fan all not working) and an additional two outlets in the adjoining room. I had been led to believe my a handyman who claimed to have a working knowledge of house wiring and schematic circuitry that this could be a big, expensive fix as he could not find any obvious origin of the problem. I let a lot of time go by (3; years) before I finally determined to get a professional in to diagnose this problem and get some estimates. I reached out several electricians on Thumbtack, preparing for a perhaps challenging road of meeting with a number of pros and see who ultimately is the best bet based on both reasonable pricing and overall knowledge/ability. DreamHomes RG turned out to be the third of at least 5 pros that were scheduled to come for a service call this far . All those scheduled were offering to come for free and give me an estimate and some sort of answer on what the problem is. First guy came and was able to provide with a starting point as far as a range of possible things it could be and kind of a best/worst scenario cost to repair. But he said he couldn't give me a definitive answer unless I paid him to come back and do an actual service call. Next! Second guy was very established/experienced. He was honest in telling me I probably couldn't afford him, but he did do some preliminary checks with me and gave me some very solid and expert tips on how to troubleshoot myself, what steps to take to ultimately identify the source of the loss of current on that circuit and his advice on how to repair it myself. He answered any question I had based on this information. And he did all the for free, which was very kind and extremely helpful, because everything he told me was spot on. Third one to arrive is DreamHomes RG. This is a father and son team. The dad does not speak English, but he does the work. And the son translates for us in a way that is clear and concise. With the information I gave them, they were able to identify the source very quickly (within minutes) and repair it right there and then just as quickly. They were extremely knowledgeable and professional and clearly knew what they were doing. They were able to communicate to me exactly what the issue was. And they did the repair, restoring power to that circuit, in record time. Obviously they got the job. And it would be 5 stars across the board except for a couple little things which they would certainly benefit from by modifying their presentation and the son's social skills. So what they could do much better (which will definitely insure them more jobs and repeat business) is: 1) The son was not 100% upfront when he messaged and offered to come assess the problem for free. As after they got here and had already started troubleshooting, that's when he brought up a $59 service call fee. I told him I was not informed of this and was still in the process of meeting with electricians and had yet to identify the problem or a quote, so it was up to him whether they want to stay and continue or leave but that I can't pay them for this "free" assessment but will be grateful for anything can do to help me get to the bottom of this. 2) The son was actually very off-putting from the moment he arrived. He had a big attitude problem. He was very dismissive of me and seemed to be passing judgement. He was even insulting to a degree, basically saying that he didn't think I had any money and wasn't serious about this repair. Which is a lot to conclude based on what I don't know. But it was disrespectful and absolutely poor customer service and it wouldn't be tolerated by many I imagine. He could have easily lost them the job right then. But the poor Dad was hard at work trying to find the problem and has no idea what his son is saying to me, so I just let him continue. 3) The son continued to be abrupt with me, very dismissive, blatantly passing judgments on me in my own home and did not seem to want to be there at all. But he did tell me what the dad was doing and answered any questions I had, although begrudgingly. But that dad was so invested in what he was doing, I couldn't make him pay for his son's nearly outrageous behavior. 3) Fortunately for everybody, the dad found the problem real quick. And that dad, completely unaware of his son's horrible social skills and marketing strategy, is just going about making the repair. So the son literally asks me if I'm going to pay them for doing the job? And I'm like, "of course I'm gonna pay you. You're fixing the problem. Like why would I not pay you? But we haven't settled on even the service fee. So what do you think is fair for your time and labor?" They identified the problem within minutes, so the repair was completed in under 30 minutes tops. But they sure did restore well and show me exactly what the source was and what the fix was. So... before I even started coming up with an offer I thought would be fair, the son asked me if I could afford $100. Which at this point is like, "Oh yes. Absolutely. On top of the service call or what?" He says $100 flat total. I'm like YES!!! Now if the son could learn how to get out of his own way and get his presentation down and his priorities straight, they would be the team to beat, I'm sure. He needs to maybe take some classes in business and public speaking, Public relations, communication and basic common sense. Because if the son could tailor his presentation to match the quality and efficiency of the work and sharpen up his customer service skills, I'm sure most anybody would value the work they did. I imagine most people might think that repair for the time it took etc. was probably worth at least $100 for the result. Probably most would not have any problem with paying somewhere between $200-$300 for what they did. If the dad spoke English, I probably would have paid him at least another $100 directly plus tip. And if they had not been unclear with the service charge but just quoted me $300 to make the repair once it had been identified. I would have definitely accepted that quote and officially hired them. But as it turned out the son got what he asked for. And I still very much value and appreciate everything they did. I am very grateful for the service they provided. Would I hire them again, all things considered? Probably. At the very least, I would give them an opportunity to come for a service call and opportunity to put in first bid and the chance to put in a final bid if someone else came in with a better one. And I would probably even pay them the service fee in addition, now that I know I'll get what I'm paying for. At the end of the day, yeah they did an exceptional job. But almost never had the chance to demonstrate their ability and skill level. You have to earn people business and loyalty, trust and respect. And that comes from the work. The work starts with the first communication and ends after the job is done or the service promised has been fulfilled. In this case, the series of events was so all over the place that ultimately they won my respect and my loyalty but lost their service fee and didn't get paid as much as they should have because the son was too abrasive and arrogant and smug for his own good. But I guarantee if he gets his shit together and learns how to approach each project/client on a case by case basis, he could tailor his quotes based on some sort of a sliding scale, and they would rack up a lot of business and probably, in time, leave the competition in the dust. They can easily prove their worth in the work they do. So if the one who speaks English and basically finds all the jobs got a strategically targeted pitch down and just perfects his delivery, they will be very successful. If he doesn't, he's still gonna get hired and rehired by some but he is going to limit their options severely. They have the potential to really establish themselves as tops of the trade. I will call them for future jobs. Yes. Time will tell the rest."

Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What is a general contractor?

When starting a home remodel or new construction project, you will probably hire a general contractor. A general contractor is a professional who is qualified to take a set of building plans and construct them as outlined. The general contractor may help perform the day-to-day building, or they may just hire workers and oversee all the work activities. In either case, the job of the general contractor is to see that your project gets built.

When you have a building project, ask for bids from various contractors. The bids tell you how much each will charge and what their scope of work will be. Once you have selected a bid, you sign a contract with that general contractor outlining the specifics of the project and the milestones during the project when they will receive payment installments. Once the contract is official, the general contractor will bring in their crew to begin construction. The contractor will manage the workers and subcontractors (anyone who doesn’t work directly for their company but that they need to outsource, like a marble installation pro), order all the materials, obtain work permits, and confirm that all the workers and subcontractors are completing their projects as planned. They typically handle all the payments to the workers and subcontractors, and send you invoice. For all these reasons, it’s also especially important to follow a few smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor.  If you are organized and competent to oversee construction projects, and are able to make sure everything is being built properly and meeting code, it’s possible you can be your own general contractor.  

How much do general contractors charge per hour?

On average, a general contractor will charge around $50 per hour for their services. However, the range of their fees varies between $30 and $85 per hour, depending on your geographical location and the type of project they’re undertaking. 

You can get a better idea of how much it will cost to hire a general contractor by requesting free estimates from contractors near you.

What do general contractors charge?

If you’re doing a home remodel, building a new home or embarking on a commercial building project, you’ll hire a general contractor. A general contractor is a professional who is qualified to oversee and execute construction projects. Each construction project is unique; even two duplicate homes built on lots next door to each other could have different construction costs due to factors like different excavation costs when building the foundation. Since each project is unique, many general contractors make bids on potential construction projects. These bids can then break down to a per square foot cost that encompasses the labor of all the workers needed for the job, materials, the scope of work, and any equipment needed. Materials and finishes make a major difference in your cost per square foot. For example, choosing standard kitchen tiles at $3 per square foot will result in a lower total project cost than imported marble tiles that cost $63 per square foot. Where you live will also affect how much general contractors charge, as labor and the cost to do business can cost less in many regions than in high-cost areas like New York or San Francisco. Here are some examples of average costs general contractors typically charge in various regions:

  • Home addition in San Francisco: $250-$270 per square foot.
  • New home construction in Knoxville, Tennessee: $100-$200 per square foot.
  • Kitchen remodel in Tennessee: $40-$80 per square foot, depending on finishes.
  • Bathroom remodel in Vancouver, Washington: $110-$170 per square foot.

Be sure to check out our smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor.

How do you hire a general contractor?

You can use Thumbtack to find local general contractors, read their customer ratings and get cost estimates. First, read the written reviews to learn about their professionalism, paying attention to photos for evidence of their workmanship. You should also verify their license, insurance and other credentials.

For more tips, read our guide on how to hire a contractor.

How do you choose a commercial general contractor?

A commercial contractor provides similar services as a residential general contractor but specializes in working with large-scale projects for businesses, schools, nonprofits, governments and development firms. When researching commercial general contractors, review their portfolio of work and confirm they have ample experience working in the area you need. For example, if you are building a small strip mall, ask if the contractors have experience successfully incorporating all the needed elements such as a parking lot, meeting ADA requirements, accessing the proper permits, and completing work on time.

Once you’ve identified several qualified candidates, request bids for your project and then compare the scope of work with your needs and budget. Your commercial general contractor should oversee design, permitting, construction, materials purchase, and adherence to building code and zoning regulations, as well as sticking to an agreed-upon budget and schedule. It’s important to establish clear communication with your future commercial general contractor, as this will mean a smoother process for everyone. For all these reasons, it’s also especially important to follow a few smart hiring practices when it comes to finding a general contractor.

What does general liability insurance cover for contractors?

For contractors, general liability insurance is an important part of protecting businesses and contractors. This type of insurance will vary in its details and scope, but it can generally be expected to cover damage to the property and injuries. Here’s how you can verify a pro’s insurance.

What kind of jobs can a general contractor do?

General contractors can complete all types of projects, from small home repairs and new construction, from building a new home to landscaping an entire yard. General contractors may specialize in plumbing, framing, electrical, foundations or roofing projects, and they can work on commercial or residential buildings. 

Before hiring a general contractor, make sure the contractor holds the proper licenses, registration, insurance and certifications required by your city or state. 

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

Nationally, the average cost of bathroom remodeling varies greatly. Bathroom remodels can vary widely, from standard makeovers to luxurious master bathroom revamps.

The factors that affect your bathroom remodeling cost are the finishes you choose (marble tiles can cost 20 times as much as standard subway tiles), the square footage of the project, regional labor rates in your area and the scope of work. Changing the layout or size of the bathroom will also raise costs. Moving electrical wiring and plumbing lines will also dramatically increase costs, as you’ll need to hire plumbers and electricians to handle the work. What’s happening behind your walls and under your floor will also affect bathroom remodeling cost. Rot, damage or mold can lead to additional work and charges. 

Here are some examples of average bathroom remodeling costs:

  • 6-foot by 6-foot bathroom remodel: $3,500, including labor and materials.
  • Standard renovation: $6,500-$10,000. Price includes labor and materials the customer has purchased. Labor may include taking out the shower and shower pan, installing new shower pan and shower, and installing new door, new vanity, new mirror, new bathroom fan, and all new fixtures. Price variation depends on the quality of the finishes.
  • 10-foot by 6-foot bathroom remodel: $7,200, including labor and materials.
  • Mid-range renovation: $12,000-$15,000. Price includes labor and materials the customer has purchased.
  • Upscale renovation: $35,000 and up. Price includes labor and materials. Items might include digital displays for fixtures, multiple shower heads and custom showers.

Do I need a contractor for a kitchen remodel?

A kitchen remodel is one of the most important investments you can make in your home, and it’s critical to get the details right; that’s where a home renovation contractor comes in. A minor remodel usually includes new cabinet faces and hardware, replacement appliances, and paint, while an extensive job may enlarge the kitchen’s square footage, install new cabinets or an island, change the layout, and lay new tile or hardwood floors. Any renovation that includes filing permits, construction, or electrical or plumbing work is best completed by an experienced contractor who knows local codes.

How long should a bathroom remodel take?

With proper planning and a good general contractor, your bathroom remodeling project doesn’t have to take forever. The construction phase of the project will always vary based on your scope of work, the square footage and the condition of your bathroom under the surface layer. Inevitably an 80-square-foot master bathroom with major changes will take longer than a 25-square-foot guest bath undergoing a minor renovation. For a smaller bathroom, a facelift — the industry term for sprucing up the surface layer (such as paint, vanity, tiles or light fixtures) but keeping the existing footprint of the space — may take five to eight working days, as long as there are no surprises like mold waiting when the old vanity comes out. A more complex bathroom remodel that revamps the shower area (customizing the plumbing, installing tile and changing the shower door), updates the flooring and cabinetry, and adds new paint and new lighting could take anywhere from one week to three weeks. A full bathroom remodel that guts the room, changing the footprint and moving the electrical wiring and plumbing lines, could take four to eight weeks or more. To keep your bathroom remodel on schedule, have your materials ordered and waiting, and don’t make any change orders once construction begins. Planning is key to keeping a bathroom remodel on schedule.   

For more on how long a bathroom remodel should take check out The Complete Thumbtack Bathroom Remodel Guide.

Reviews for Alamo Heights general contractors

There are 140 five star General Contractors in Alamo Heights, TX on Thumbtack.

Why hire professionals on Thumbtack?
Free to use

You never pay to use Thumbtack: Get cost estimates, contact pros, and even book the job—all for no cost.

Compare prices side-by-side

You’ll know how much your project costs even before booking a pro.

Hire with confidence

With access to 1M+ customer reviews and the pros’ work history, you’ll have all the info you need to make a hire.