General Contractors: what it costs and what to ask
The questions below are the ones homeowners ask right before they hand over money — and the ones the internet answers worst. Most of what comes back is a lead form or a sales page. These are plain answers with nothing to sell.
What things cost
Real price ranges for the work homeowners ask about most, with every figure traced back to a named source.
- How much does it cost to build an ADU?
HomeGuide publishes $100 to $300 per square foot to build an ADU — $60,000 to $180,000 for a 600-square-foot unit. The by-size table, the six construction types, and what planning and site prep run before anyone frames a wall.
- How much does an ADU cost in California?
HomeGuide publishes $100 to $300 per square foot to build an ADU. In California, state law bars impact fees on an ADU of 750 square feet or less — the size threshold that moves the budget.
- How much does a home addition cost?
HomeGuide publishes $125 to $250 per square foot for a home addition, or $50,000 to $100,000 for a 20x20. The footprint table, the eight addition types, the by-room totals and what you spend before the build starts.
- How much does a second story addition cost?
HomeGuide publishes $200 to $500 per square foot to add a second story; HomeAdvisor publishes $100 to $300 for the same job. Both bands, the by-size tables, and the cheaper shapes of the same idea.
- How much does it cost to finish a basement?
HomeGuide publishes $30 to $50 per square foot to finish a basement, or $15,000 to $75,000 total. The by-size table for an open plan and a three-room layout, the room-by-room costs, and what a remodel costs instead.
- How much does a tub to shower conversion cost?
HomeGuide publishes $1,000 to $8,000 to replace a tub with a prefab shower stall and $3,500 to $15,000 for a tiled walk-in. The two routes, the line items, and what a tub cut costs instead.
- How much does a walk-in shower cost?
HomeGuide publishes $1,000 to $8,000 installed for a prefab walk-in shower and $3,500 to $15,000 for a custom tiled one. The material tables, the accessibility features and what the labor is.
- How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
HomeGuide publishes $100 to $500 per square foot for a bathroom remodel, or $3,500 to $25,000 for an average-sized bathroom. The size table, the three scopes and the cost of every fixture.
- How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
HomeGuide publishes $150 to $250 per square foot for a full kitchen remodel, or $15,000 to $50,000. The by-size table, the three scopes, the budget breakdown by trade and what cabinets alone cost.
- How much does a garage conversion cost?
HomeGuide publishes $5,000 to $50,000 or more to convert a garage to living space and $10 to $30 per square foot to finish one. The two jobs, the by-size table and every line a quote should show.
- How much does countertop installation cost?
HomeGuide publishes $50 to $150 per square foot installed for countertops, or $1,500 to $6,000 for an average kitchen. The material table, the labor share and how the square footage is actually counted.
Common questions
Straight answers, written for the person paying — not a lead form and not a sales page.
- How much does it cost to hire a contractor to finish a basement?
HomeGuide puts basement finishing labor at $6 to $20 per square foot, or 20% to 40% of the total, with a general contractor charging 10% to 20% of construction costs on top. What you are paying the contractor for, separately from the materials.
- How much does a 1,000 sq ft ADU cost to build?
HomeGuide publishes $100,000 to $300,000 for a 1,000-square-foot ADU. What decides where inside that band you land, and how the same footprint prices as a conversion instead of a new build.
- What is the average cost of a double garage conversion?
HomeGuide publishes $10,000 to $50,000 or more to convert a two-car garage to living space, and $4,000 to $17,300 to fully finish one. What separates the two numbers, and what a loft conversion adds.
Free tools
Work out a number before you call anyone, or check a quote you already have.
- Home addition cost calculator
Price an addition by square feet, room type and finish level.