Every year home owners find themselves needing to complete home improvements, whether it is something as small as installing a new faucet or undergoing roof repair. It may be for boosting a home’s resale value or for quality of living. Below is a quick reference list and cost guide to the most common home improvement classifications. The cost is average prices per hour and notates any considerations taken for flat rate charging methods. There are three different methods to estimating costs: time plus materials, flat rate for the project, and per square foot. This is intended as a guide only; actual costs may vary in regions and by contractors. A PDF version is also available for download at the bottom of this post.

For your convenience we have linked each contractor type to our directory. If you are looking for a particular job related to any of the ones mentioned below, simply click on the title to see if there are any available in your area. You can then submit a request to get estimates from contractors in your area.

A

Arborist : Arborists primarily work with trees. They may certify and identify species, health, and assist home owners with tree permits. $58.00/hr

Architect : Architects may design residential and commercial structures without the need of structural engineers. $150.00 - $200.00/hr

Asbestos Removers : Certified removers of asbestos (hazardous material). $150.00/hr

B

Boiler Hot Water Heating & Steam Fitting Contractor : Installs, repairs, maintains boiler, hot-water heating systems and steam fitting. Includes radiators, convectors, and fuel oil tanks. Typically charges flat rate. Expect around 50.00 - 80.00/hr

Building Moving/ Demolition Contractor : Removes structures either by demolition or by deconstruction. Also relocates structures including foundations. Charges flat rate by the project or sq. ft. $6.00 - $12.00/sq.ft.

C

Ceramic & Mosaic Tile Contractor : Installs tiles, glass mosaic, ceramic, natural or synthetic stone. $75.00/hr or based on sq.ft.

Concrete Contractor : Concrete pouring and form work for flat areas such as patios and sidewalks. $65.00 - $80.00/hr or based on sq.ft.

D

Dry Wall Contractor : Installs and repairs dry wall. Also does taping and creates the textures. Charges by the sheet or sq. ft. $30.00 - $60.00/sheet

E

Earthwork and Paving Contractor : Excavation or earth, grading, trenching, cuts, and fills usually accompanying paving or surfacing services. Cost per project or by the ton.

Electrician : Certified professional that installs or repairs electrical systems and components. Includes appliances, fixtures and wiring. $75.00/hr

F

Fencing Contractor : Installs and repairs all kinds of fences including commercial and residential. $45.00/hr

Finish Carpentry : Design and installs cabinetry, trims, baseboards, doors, and any non-load bearing partitions. $60.00/hr

Flooring Contractor : Installs and repairs carpets, tile, and wood flooring. In some states ceramic tile is excluded from this classification. Cost by the sq. ft or project. $3.00 - $5.00/sq. ft.

Foundation Engineer : Analyzes the integrity of the foundation, works closely with soils engineer to determine changing soil conditions. Makes recommendations on foundation repairs. $80.00 - $125.00/hr

Framing Contractor : Construction of sub-floors, siding, exterior staircases, railings, overhead doors, truss members, sheathing. May also repair individual components of framing systems. Priced by the project.

G

Gardner : Maintains landscape and simple irrigation repairs. $25.00 - 40.00/hr

General Contractor : General Contractor may perform all services listed with the exception of Architect and Structural Engineering. In some states they may not perform asbestos removal. They may provide these services through subcontracting. General Contractors often assist the home owner with obtaining permits. Alternative pricing method is done by the job, not necessarily by the hour. $90.00/hr

Glazier : Installs, sets, repairs all kinds of glass. This can be windows, sashes, doors, or mirrors. $55.00 - $65.00/hr

H

HVAC : Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning. Maintains, installs and repairs air conditioning, heat pumps, warm air appliances and ventilating systems. $50.00/hr

I

Insulation and Acoustical Contractor : Installs insulation for not only temperature control but for audio as well. Understands the special needs of structures with acoustic problems. Priced by the sq. ft. or project. Expect $60.00 - $75.00/hr

Interior / Exterior Painting Contractor : Performs painting services. Includes preparing surfaces. Priced by the project. Expect $30.00 - 60.00/hr

Interior Designer : Most states restrict this to designing interior traffic patterns and selecting finishes. May not work with load bearing walls. 50.00 - 75.00/hr

L

Landscape Architect : Designs and gives specifications for hardscape and landscape areas. $50 - $150.00/hr

Landscaper : Designs, plants and installs irrigation and drainage. Thorough understanding of horticulture. Expect $50.00 per hour for special work. Price by the project.

Lathing & Plastering Contractor : Specializes in plaster surfaces. Typically understands the special needs of historic homes. Typically priced by the project or sq. ft. Expect 40.00 - 60.00/hr for custom work.

Locksmith : Installs and repairs door assemblies, gates, safes and vaults. Interior or exterior locking devices. $60.00 - 100.00/hr. Extra site visit fees may apply.

Low Voltage Systems Contractor : Limited to working with 91 volt systems. Includes audio, video, cable television, satellite dish, landscape lighting and alarm systems. Priced by the project. $65.00 - $90.00/hr

M

Masonry Contractor : Installs concrete, brick, and other manufactured stone. This does include load bearing walls. $65.00 - $75.00/hr

O

Ornamental Metal Contractor : Performs wrought iron, brass, bronze, copper, cast iron and steel work. Decorative object d’art for either interior or exterior. Also performs landscape work. Typically priced by the project. Expect $65.00/hr for specialty tasks.

P

Plumbing : Installs and repairs gas, water, and some heating systems. $96.00/hr

R

Reinforcing Steel Contractor : Specializes in reinforcing concrete structures. This may include retaining walls, and historic brick buildings. Priced by the project.

Residential Designer : Designs residences either single story or partial two story; often assists in obtaining permits. Less expensive than an Architect. $80.00 - $100.00/hr

Roofing Contractor : Installs roofing products and repairs roof surfaces. $65.00/hr

S

Sanitation System Contractor : Fabricates, installs and repairs septic tanks, storm drains, and all other sewage disposal systems. $96.00/hr

Sheet Metal Contractor : Fabricates and installs sheet metal components such as roofing, duct work, chimneys and gutters. Priced by the project.

Soils Engineer : Analyzes soil types, zones and load bearing strengths and weaknesses of the land or lot. $150.00/hr

Solar Contractor : Installs, designs, maintains, repairs solar energy systems. Includes solar hot water heating, radiant systems, collectors, and rock bed cooling systems. $90.00/hr

Structural Engineering : Performs analysis and calculations on structural loads for commercial and residential buildings. This includes exterior retaining walls. Authorities having jurisdiction usually require plans to be wet stamped by this professional. $100.00/hr

Structural Steel Contractor : Installs, fabricates structural steel plates. Includes riveting, welding, rigging and metal roofing systems. Priced by the project.

Surveyor : Performs analysis on property lines, layout of the land, contours, and elevations. $100.00/hr

Swimming Pool Contractor : Constructs swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and installs heating equipment. This may also include solar. Priced by the project.

W

Water Conditioning Contractor : Installs water conditioning equipment. Priced by the project.

Water Well Contractor : Installs and repairs water wells and pumps. They may excavate, drill, and bore. Also performs cleaning services to the well. Priced by the project.

These classifications will cover just about any type of home improvement or even home reconstruction. Many of these classifications will vary from state to state as will their certifications.

Here is the link to the PDF version for download : Home Owner’s Guide To Contractor Pricing