Get Quotes from Top General Contractor in El Paso, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a General Contractor in El Paso?

General contractors that wish to operate in El Paso are not required to hold local or state-issued licenses before bidding for contracts or providing any building and construction-related to interested parties. However, per Section 18.02.104 of the El Paso Code of Ordinances, these contractors must complete an annual registration process with the city's Planning and Inspections Department before applying for and obtaining city-mandated permits. These permits are typically required for new construction work as well as remodeling and renovation activities that will alter an existing building's structure, means of egress, use, or its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Performing this type of work without properly registering with the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department and subsequently obtaining all required permits is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by fines of up to $2,000 per offense.

General contractors that wish to undergo the city's contractor registration process will be required to complete and submit a Contractor Registration Application Form to the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department's One Stop Shop at:

Registrants are typically expected to meet other additional requirements, such as:

• Providing proof of proper business registration in the form of a locally issued Assumed Name Certificate and other necessary corporate documents
• Paying a stipulated registration fee
• Providing proof of adequate liability insurance coverage
• Posting a mandatory blanket building construction bond and submitting proof of this
• Providing any additional documentation that the department may ask for at the time of the registration

Additional information on the El Paso general contractor registration requirements and procedure can be directed to the city's Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104, via email, or in person at its One Stop Shop location mentioned above. You can also utilize any of these channels to confirm that your intended general contractor has been properly registered by the department and can pull all necessary permits for your project. Doing this before finalizing any hiring arrangements with the contractor is always a good idea.

Also, because El Paso general contractors are not required to carry occupational licenses to work in the city, you should consider looking for additional qualifications when searching for a suitable general contractor for your building or home remodeling projects. These qualifications may include trade association membership or certifications obtained from these associations and other recognized and reputable organizations. Benefits of belonging to or receiving certifications from these associations and organizations include access to resources like advanced training opportunities and insurance options, all of which result in better service delivery for clients when compared with the services of non-member contractors.

Furthermore, these associations typically hold their members to high professional standards, which not only gives you a measure of assurance that your project will be handled competently but also provides you an avenue for mediation if your contractor does not perform satisfactorily.

Some reputable trade associations that general contractors in the El Paso area either belong to or are certified by include:

• The El Paso Association of Contractors
• The El Paso Association of Builders
• The Texas Construction Association
• The Texas Association of Builders
• The Associated General Contractors of America
• The TEXO Association
• The National Association of Home Builders

Note that you should always ask for proof from any general contractor claiming to either belong to or hold certifications from a trade association and contact the association in question to verify any provided proof.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other General Contractors in the City?

When searching for general contractors for your building and home remodeling projects in El Paso, knowing how much you will be required to pay for your preferred general contractor's services before finalizing any hiring agreements with them is important. Several factors influence the cost of hiring general contractors in the city, and these include:

• The specific nature and scope of the project in question
• The location of the project
• Accessibility to the project location and project site conditions
• The type and cost of materials and supplies required for the project
• Labor costs
• The urgency of the project
• The quality of building and construction drawings, plans, and specifications that are provided
• Permits and inspection costs, as well as the cost of complying with other pertinent regulatory requirements

It is always in your best interest to request and compare quotations and estimates for your building and home remodeling project from at least three different general contractors before choosing a general contractor who is most suited for the work. This is an effective way to avoid being scammed by contractors who fraudulently overcharge clients for their services. Note that no two quotations can be the same. Nevertheless, many professional general contractors in the city typically utilize one of the following methods when preparing quotations and calculating their charges:

• Cost Plus Pricing: with this pricing method, the general contractor provides a quote for the project that includes an estimate of the cost for materials, supplies, labor, and other necessary support required for the project, plus a predetermined percentage of this cost as their fee. This percentage typically falls between 10 to 20 percent but can go as high as 25 percent or more, depending on the nature and scope of the project in question, as well as the local reputation of the general contractor. The cost-plus pricing method is advantageous for clients who wish to undertake projects with an uncertain scope and no established timeline. This is because it enables them to save money if the project is completed ahead of schedule or if its actual cost turns out to be lower than the estimate provided in the quotation or bid. However, clients can also end up spending more if the project goes on for a long time or if its actual cost exceeds the estimated cost.
• Lump Sum Pricing: with this pricing method, the general contractor provides a fixed price for all services they intend to provide concerning the building or home remodeling project, including their rates or fees for these services. However, the general contractor also often adds a large markup when estimating the costs of these services to cover unanticipated events and additional expenses that may arise during the project's execution. The lump sum pricing method is advantageous for building and remodeling projects with a clearly defined scope and timeline, as it lets the client know how much they will be spending upfront.

It is important to note that you should not automatically hire the general contractor that offers the lowest quote for your project and always ask contractors to provide explanations for quotations or bids that are noticeably higher or cheaper than the rest. Be suspicious of general contractors who cannot offer justifiable explanations. Also, always consider other factors like the general contractor's level of expertise, local reputation, and insurance status before selecting a particular contractor to manage and oversee your building or home remodeling projects in the city.

General Contractors in El Paso earn an estimated annual average wage of $54,750. The list below compares the average hourly wage of these contractors with those of general contractors in other parts of Texas and other locations across the United States:

What Kind of General Contractor Services Do You Offer?

It is important to determine the types of services a general contractor offers before signing any contracts with them. General contractors in El Paso typically provide a variety of services to clients in the city, ranging from making arrangements for material suppliers, laborers, and subcontractors to performing physical construction and renovation work. Nevertheless, it is common to expect a professional general contractor in the city to assume the following responsibilities when you hire them for your project:

• Prepare cost estimates for the project.
• Create a workable schedule and timeline for the project
• Coordinate with material suppliers and vendors
• Make arrangements for necessary labor and construction supplies
• Hire qualified subcontractors where necessary
• Ensure that all necessary permits are obtained and that the work being done conforms to pertinent building regulations and safety standards.
• Monitor the quality of work being done by laborers and subcontractors
• Manage administrative elements of the project, including payments and cash flow, work schedules, and other related tasks
• Ensure that accurate project-related records are kept
• Carry out actual building and remodeling work where necessary
• Make sure that the project is concluded on time and within the pre-agreed timeline

Note that the specific nature and scope of general contractors' services often varies by project, client, and contractor. Therefore, you should always get confirmation on the exact services that your general contractor intends to provide for your project before concluding any hiring agreements with them. Bear in mind that it may be necessary for the general contractor to hire subcontractors outside their in-house team to complete specific tasks for your building or home remodeling project. These tasks usually include:

• Carpentry
• Electrical work
• HVAC installation
• Painting
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• Welding

While it is common for project owners in the city to consider handling the hiring of these subcontractors themselves, it is always a good idea to leave this responsibility to your general contractor. This not only gives you access to a larger pool of qualified, experienced, and reliable subcontractors but also ensures that a single point of contact for the administrative aspects of your project is maintained. In addition, delegating the task of hiring subcontractors to your general contractor reduces your liability in situations where the subcontractors deliver inferior work or get injured on the job.

The following table outlines some crucial distinctions between general contractors and subcontractors that engage in building and home remodeling projects in El Paso:

Will You Get the Necessary Permits as Required per the City Code?

Per the provisions of Section 18.02.105 of the El Paso Code of Ordinances, a permit is required for the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, demolition, or change of occupancy of buildings and structures in the city. These permits are also required to install, enlarge, convert, alter, remove, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, or fire protection systems in these buildings and structures. However, permit exemptions are made for specific building and home remodeling activities, including, but not limited to:

• Constructing masonry landscape walls and fences that are no more than 42 inches high
• Painting, papering, siding, and other similar finish work and ordinary minor nonstructural repair work
• Constructing or installing movable cases, counters, cabinets, and partitions that are not more than five feet nine inches high and do not establish a corridor
• Constructing in-ground swimming pools, wading pools, or ponds that are less than 24 inches deep or similar structures that are entirely above ground and contain less than 5,000 gallons of water
• Constructing accessory storage buildings or structures less than 200 square feet in floor area and not within five feet of another structure, eave to eave. However, this exemption is only allowed for one accessory building or structure within a site.
• Replacing less than 25 percent of an existing roof covering. Note that this exemption applies to residential structures only.
• Constructing or installing chain link fences that are not more than six feet high. Note that these fences must meet relevant zoning requirements.
• Work involving portable electrical and HVAC appliances or equipment provided that this work complies with relevant provisions of the city's technical codes.

Failing to obtain all relevant permits for your building or home remodeling project before commencing work is considered a misdemeanor offense and carries a statutory penalty of up to $2,000 in fines. Also, each day, the unpermitted work carries on, or each unpermitted portion of the project can be charged as a separate offense. As such, it is always in your best interest to make sure that all necessary permits for your project are pulled before the work commences, as this not only helps you avoid this fine but also:

• Helps you avoid additional sanctions like stop-work orders and teardowns of already completed work
• Ensures that the work to be done complies with all applicable building and construction codes, standards, and regulations
• Protects your property value
• Makes it easier to sell your property
• Saves you money on insurance

The El Paso Planning and Inspections Department oversees the city's permit issuance process. Parties wishing to obtain permits from this department may apply to the department online via its Citizen Access Portal. Note that first-time applicants will be required to register a user account on this portal before they can create and submit their permit applications. Alternatively, applications for building permits can be made by completing and submitting a Building Permit Application Form to the department in person through its One Stop Shop located at:

Applicants are typically required to pay a stipulated fee and may also have to submit additional documentation for review, such as site plans, designs, and building drawings, depending on the nature and scope of the project in question. Likewise, once the submitted application and relevant additional documents are reviewed, approved, and the permits are issued, the permitted work will be subject to inspections to ensure compliance with the relevant local codes and regulations. The specific inspections that will be required for the projects are typically communicated to the applicant when the requested permits are issued, and these inspections generally have to be scheduled and conducted before any work being done in the project is covered or concealed.

You can reach out to the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104 or via email to direct queries or get additional information on its permit issuance requirements and procedure for building and home remodeling projects in the city.

Do You Work with Subcontractors?

When undertaking building and home remodeling projects in El Paso, it is crucial to find out if your intended general contractor will be utilizing the services of subcontractors for any part of the work. General contractors in the city typically work with subcontractors on projects that they oversee and manage for several reasons, such as:

• To get support for large, complex, difficult, or diverse projects
• To increase the project's cost-effectiveness
• To increase job productivity and flexibility
• To handle aspects of the project that call for state-mandated occupational licensing or a specialized skillset and experience

Some common subcontractors that general contractors in El Paso typically work with include:

• Plumbers
• Electricians
• HVAC installers and technicians
• Roofers
• Painters
• Carpenters
• Welders
• Door and window installers
• Insulation installers
• Siding and gutter installers
• Demolition experts

Finding out the parts of your project that will be handled by subcontractors and staying informed on the activities of these subcontractors as the project progresses helps limit your liability in situations where disagreements between the general contractor and subcontractors occur. The most common causes of these disagreements are:

• Unsatisfactory work
• Failure to meet client expectations
• Late or incomplete payments

Note that, per the provisions of the Texas Prompt Payment Act, individuals who hire general contractors to oversee and manage their building and home remodeling projects in El Paso must pay these contractors for their services within 35 days of receiving a payment invoice. Similarly, general contractors that hire subcontractors to work on these projects must pay them for their services no later than seven days after receiving the necessary payment from the project owner.

This act offers project owners some protection from liability in situations where their general contractors fail to pay subcontractors who work on their projects adequately, provided that the appropriate payment has already been remitted to the general contractor. However, you may still be held liable for incomplete or non-payments to subcontractors, material suppliers, and vendors if these parties have placed a lien on your property. Per the Texas Liens Law, subcontractors and material suppliers in El Paso that place a lien on a property can legally claim this property if they are not paid for any services they provide concerning the property in question.

It is always in your best interest to totally avoid dealing with lien-related matters, as they can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly. To this end, always take the following precautions during your building or home remodeling project to avoid situations that could result in a lien being placed on your property:

• Do your due diligence: ensure you properly research any general contractor you plan to hire. Look them up online and pay attention to areas like their local reputation and whether or not they are known for paying subcontractors, materials suppliers, and laborers for their services on time.
• Insist on written contracts: always insist on getting a written contract for your project and make sure that this contract includes all agreements or promises made by the general contractor. Make sure that you read and review this contract properly before signing it
• Utilize preliminary notices: ensure that your general contractor informs you of aspects of the project that will be handled by subcontractors before they commence any work and also provide you with regular updates on the work being done by these subcontractors.
• Make timely payments: ensure that you make timely payments to your general contractor for all provided services.
• Get lien waivers: request a lien waiver for every payment made to your general contractor as well as any subcontractors and material suppliers involved in the project. This is an effective way to protect yourself from having a lien placed on your property and also keep your general contractor accountable.
• Utilize contractor bonds: find out if your general contractor has a payment bond that may be used as collateral if they fail to promptly pay material suppliers and subcontractors.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for General Contractors in the City?

At least 469 fatal and 178,600 nonfatal work-related injuries were reported across Texas in 2020, with building and construction-related injuries accounting for approximately 27 percent of the work-related fatalities in the state. Given these figures, the insurance status of your intended general contractor is a crucial aspect to consider when undertaking building and home remodeling projects in El Paso. Construction workers face several work hazards and safety risks, such as:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Electrocution
• Cuts, tears, and lacerations
• Exposure to harmful airborne materials and toxic substances like silica dust and asbestos
• Awkward working positions
• Injuries from falling, flying, rolling, and swinging objects
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions

Working with a general contractor who is not adequately insured makes you liable financially and legally for any injuries at your project site. Hiring an uninsured contractor also means that you will have to cover the costs of any damages to your property that directly result from your project. To this end, the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department requires all general contractors that wish to register with it to meet the following insurance and bond obligations:

• They must have general liability insurance coverage of at least $250,000 for bodily injury per person or $500,000 in aggregate and $100,000 for property damage per occurrence or in aggregate.
• They must post and maintain a Blanket Building Construction Bond of $25,000

In addition, you should consider ensuring that your intended general contractor carries professional liability insurance to cover any damages or defects brought on by their negligence.

Always verify your intended general contractor's insurance and bonding status before entering any hiring agreements with them by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and authenticating these documents with the relevant issuing body. It is also a good idea to find out if the contractor's minimum limits will be sufficient for the scope of your project when verifying their insurance status.

You can get more information on El Paso general contractors' insurance and bond requirements by contacting the city's Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104.

Do You Provide a Warranty for Works Completed?

Warranties are assurances, promises, or guarantees that a service you pay for, or a product you buy will function as intended. General contractors in El Paso typically provide two types of warranties, which are:

• Explicit warranties
• Implied warranties

Explicit warranties are written guarantees or assurances that are typically included in the project quote or contract that the general contractor offers. On the other hand, implied warranties are non-written guarantees accepted by law and present in all types of building and home remodeling projects, whether or not an explicit warranty is ultimately issued.

The most common subcategories of these explicit and implied warranties include:

• Call-back Warranty: this is an explicit warranty that provides a timeframe during which the general contractor may be called back to address defects discovered in the building or home remodeling project
• Material/Equipment Warranty: this guarantees that all warrantied materials used for the building or home remodeling project are new, defect-free, and will perform as required
• Design-build Warranty: a design-build warranty is typically issued by architects, engineers, interior designers, and other design professionals involved in building and home remodeling projects, and it assures the project owner that the services provided by these professionals are up to standard
• Vendor Warranty: these are explicit warranties that are typically issued for products and appliances used in the project by either the manufacturers or vendors of these items
• Warranty of Habitability: this warranty guarantees that the constructed or remodeled building will be safe to live in and suitable for its intended use. Warranties of habitability are usually implied and typically apply mostly to residential buildings and structures.
• Workmanship Warranty: workmanship warranties are issued to assure the project owner that the services rendered by subcontractors and laborers involved in the project are of a high standard and optimal

Always ask your intended general contractors what kinds of warranties they offer when searching for a suitable general contractor for your project, and avoid hiring contractors that do not issue explicit warranties. Note that the terms and conditions of the warranties that general contractors in El Paso offer vary by contractor, so you should always thoroughly examine any warranty being offered to you to avoid voiding it. Also, per the provisions of Chapter 27 of the Texas Property Code, general contractors that handle residential building and home remodeling projects are not required to provide warranties for the following areas:

• Damages resulting from the homeowner's failure to take reasonable steps to maintain the home or mitigate noticed damages, normal shrinkage due to drying out or settlement of construction components, and normal wear and tear or deterioration of the property
• Damages resulting from the direct actions of any party other than the general contractor, their employees, or subcontractors that they hire
• Damages resulting from the general contractor's reliance on documents obtained from official government records provided that the contractor did not know or could not have reasonably understood that the information contained in the material was false.

Per Chapter 16 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, claims against El Paso general contractors for a breach of warranty must be filed no later than 10 years after the substantial completion of the project in question. However, this statute of limitations may be extended by two years if a written claim is made at any time during this period. Also, in situations where an injury caused by the defect occurs during the tenth year, the timeframe for the claimant to file a lawsuit may be extended for up to two years after the day of accrual.

Can You Provide References of Clients Served in El Paso?

When searching for a suitable general contractor in El Paso to manage and supervise your building or home remodeling project, you may likely get referrals from several sources. These usually include friends, relatives, and acquaintances that have undertaken similar projects and local contractor associations like:

• The El Paso Association of Contractors
• The El Paso Association of Builders
• The Associated General Contractors of America
• The Texas Construction Association
• The National Home Builders Association

Regardless of how you come into contact with a general contractor in the city, it is crucial that you ask them for references of at least three former clients who can attest to them. Doing this is an effective way to determine a general contractor's legitimacy, competence, and quality of their services, and reputable contractors will not hesitate to provide this information. It is always in your best interest to look for a different general contractor if the contractor you wish to work with cannot provide you with verifiable references, and also, make sure that you contact all references you are given.

Finally, you can also use online resources like Yelp, Google Review, the Better Business Bureau, and other similar websites to look up reviews, opinions, testimonials, and complaints on your preferred general contractors.

What Is the Expected Timeline for This Project?

A major advantage of hiring an experienced general contractor to manage and supervise your building or home remodeling project is the assurance that the work will be done properly, safely, and on schedule. There are several advantages to having an expected timeline for your projects, and these include:

• Better resource management and task allocation
• Easier project monitoring
• Enhanced work efficiency
• Better preparation for events like new births, retirements, weddings, birthdays, visits from friends and family, and relocations
• Better identification and mitigation of possible project delays
• Reduced misunderstanding with your general contractor

Bear in mind that your general contractor will have to consider several variables before coming up with a practical timeline for your project. These variables include:

• The nature and scope of the project
• The time of the year and prevalent weather conditions
• The availability of resources, including required construction materials, laborers, and skilled subcontractors
• Changes to the project's scope after it has started
• Regulatory requirements