General Contracting contractors in
Tempe, Arizona.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Tempe. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
General Contracting jobs in Tempe
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
To work Tempe, you need both state ROC licensing and Tempe city contractor licensing. Arizona's ROC exam is open-book but thorough—covers construction law, safety, bonding, and trade standards. Don't skip continuing education; ROC audits aggressively. Tempe city license requires proof of insurance, a clean background check, and renewal every two years. Local inspectors know contractors by name—reputation matters. Peak season means inspectors are booked solid May-September; schedule inspections early or you'll lose 10-14 days waiting. Know the Title 34 Arizona Revised Statutes cold; inspectors cite contractors who aren't locked in on code. One final point: bonding requirements kick in hard if you're bidding municipal or school projects. ROC is strict about bond lapses—a lapsed bond can trigger license suspension within 30 days.
Permit Requirements
Tempe requires permits for all structural work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and any project exceeding $5,000 in cost. General contractor must obtain City of Tempe building permits through the Development Services Department. Permit fees scale with project value (typically 1.5-2.5% of job cost). Plan review turnaround 5-10 business days. Contractor must carry valid Tempe City Contractor License in addition to state ROC license.
Inspection Schedule
Tempe Building & Fire Code inspections required at framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, final mechanical, and final certificate of occupancy. Timeline: initial inspection within 5 days of request; re-inspections within 3 days if failed. Final sign-off can take 2-3 weeks depending on punch list. All inspections must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
Insurance Minimums
Arizona requires minimum $10,000 workers compensation bond and $12,500 performance bond for public projects. Liability insurance minimum $100,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate recommended by industry standards. Surety bond requirements increase for bonded projects and contracts over $50,000.
Compliance research unavailable
Source status: unavailable · 7/17/2026
Detailed instructions are withheld because the source is not available for verification.
Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Document 4 Years Field Experience
You must prove 4 years of verifiable work in the general contracting trade (or 3 years if you hold an associate's degree in construction management; 2 years if you hold a bachelor's). Arizona ROC requires detailed work history with project descriptions, employer letters, and dates. Use IRS Form 1040 Schedule C (self-employment) or W-2s as proof. Gather affidavits from past employers. This step alone takes 2–3 weeks to compile correctly. ROC audits these documents—vague or inconsistent timelines trigger denials.
Pass the Arizona Trade Exam (Open-Book)
Register with Prometric Testing Centers to sit for the Arizona ROC exam, administered nationwide. The exam covers Title 34 Arizona Revised Statutes, construction safety, contract law, bonding, and trade standards. It's open-book but timed (3 hours). Passing score is typically 70%. Cost: ~$200 exam fee plus study materials ($50–$150). Study Kaplan or PSI prep courses—don't wing it. The exam can be scheduled within 2–4 weeks at most testing centers.
Pass General Business and Law Exam
After passing the trade exam, you must pass a second examination on business practices and Arizona law. This covers licensing rules, contractor responsibilities, insurance requirements, and administrative compliance. Same testing centers, another ~$200 fee. Both exams must be passed within one calendar year to proceed. Passing both typically takes candidates 3–4 months from initial registration to final exam completion.
Obtain Bonding and Insurance
Before applying for your license, secure a $10,000 workers compensation bond and $12,500 performance bond through a bonding company (Zurich, Travelers, or regional brokers—costs run $300–$800/year for the package). Also secure general liability insurance minimum $100,000/$300,000 aggregate (annual premium $500–$1,500 depending on claims history). Submit proof of all bonds and insurance with your ROC application. Lapsed bonds trigger automatic license suspension; keep renewals current.
Submit ROC License Application
Complete the Arizona ROC Application for Registration as a Contractor (Form C-14). Include: fingerprint clearance (Arizona Department of Public Safety background check, ~$75), exam results, work history documentation, proof of bonding/insurance, and the non-refundable application fee ($250–$300). Mail to Arizona Registrar of Contractors or submit online via their portal. Processing time: 10–20 business days if complete; 30–45 days if ROC requests additional documentation. Your license is valid for 2 years from issuance.
Obtain Tempe City Contractor License
Once your Arizona ROC license is active, apply for a Tempe City Contractor License through the Development Services Department. Provide: proof of Arizona ROC license, current insurance certificates, workers compensation verification, and Tempe application fee (~$150–$250). Tempe processes applications within 5–10 business days. This license is also renewed every 2 years. Schedule an in-person appointment; Tempe requires face-to-face verification. Without this local license, you cannot legally pull permits in Tempe.
About This Market
Tempe's general contracting market runs hot. You've got residential density—nearly 200,000 people in metro—and steady Phoenix-area growth fueling remodels, additions, and new builds. Competition is tight; approximately 905 licensed establishments across Arizona, with Tempe drawing contractors from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding towns. Costs track high due to desert-specific material sourcing, labor scarcity in skilled trades, and the added complexity of working near Arizona State University campus restrictions. Typical projects are kitchen/bath remodels, roofing, siding, and room additions. Extreme heat (May-September hitting 110°F+) inflates labor costs and extends timelines—crews work early morning and evening, slowing output. Material costs 15-20% higher than national average for specialty items.
- Median hourly wage for general contractors in ArizonaU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment & Wages, 2023. Series ID: OES470061 (Construction Managers & General Contractors).
- Number of licensed general contracting establishments in ArizonaU.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (CBP), 2021. NAICS 236000 (Construction of Buildings). Approximately 905 establishments.
- Arizona state licensing requirements for general contractorsArizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), Title 34 Arizona Revised Statutes, and R4-36 Arizona Administrative Code (Contractor Licensing Rules).
- Tempe city building permit fees and scheduleCity of Tempe Development Services Department, Building Permit Fee Schedule (updated annually). Available at tempe.gov/planning.
- Tempe building inspection requirements and timelinesCity of Tempe Building & Fire Code (adopted International Building Code 2021), Chapter 1 Administrative. Available through Tempe Development Services.
- Arizona insurance and bonding minimums for contractorsArizona ROC licensing rules (R4-36-105) and Arizona Department of Insurance guidelines for contractor bonding requirements.
- Tempe climate and construction seasonNational Weather Service Phoenix, temperature records and construction industry seasonal reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Class A, B, and C Arizona contractor license?
Class A is unlimited—you can bid any commercial or residential project, any dollar amount. Class B caps you at $250,000 per residential project or light commercial work; most Tempe remodelers use this. Class C is specialty-only (roofing, plumbing, HVAC, etc.). All three require 4 years field experience, but Class B and C exams are slightly less rigorous. For Tempe residential work, Class B is standard and sufficient. Source: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licensing rules, R4-36.
How much does a Tempe building permit cost for a remodel?
Permit fees in Tempe scale with project valuation. Typical remodel ($30,000-$50,000) runs $450–$1,250 in permit fees alone. Tempe's fee schedule is 1.5–2.5% of declared project cost, plus plan review ($150–$300). For example, a $40,000 kitchen remodel costs roughly $750 in base permit fee, plus $200 plan review, total ~$950. Always budget 2-3% of job cost for permits. Source: City of Tempe Development Services Department Fee Schedule (updated annually).
What's the typical timeline for a full bathroom remodel in Tempe?
Plan 4–8 weeks start-to-finish for a single-bath full gut remodel in Tempe. That breaks down: permit acquisition (5–10 days), demolition (3–5 days), rough-in inspections (plumbing/electrical, 7–14 days with inspection scheduling), framing/drywall (7–10 days), finish work (10–14 days), and final inspection/walkthrough (3–5 days). Heat season (June-August) adds 1–2 weeks due to crew availability and early-morning start requirements. Delays from re-inspections can add another week easily.
Do I need both a state ROC license and a Tempe city license to operate?
Yes, both are mandatory. Arizona ROC license is your state credential; Tempe city contractor license is local compliance. You apply for Tempe's license through the Development Services Department after you have your ROC license. Tempe renewal costs roughly $150–$250 every two years. Working without the Tempe license exposes you to $500–$2,500 fines and work stoppage orders. Many contractors skip this step and get caught. Don't.
What's the median hourly wage for general contractors in Arizona, and does Tempe pay more?
Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median hourly wage for general contractors in Arizona at $57.91/hour ($120,453 annually, BLS Occupational Employment & Wages, 2023). Tempe and Phoenix metro generally run 5–10% higher due to cost-of-living and material scarcity. Experienced project managers and foremen in Tempe often bill $65–$85/hour. Labor scarcity in skilled trades (electricians, plumbers) means subcontractor costs are steep—add 15–20% to bid estimates for subs in peak season. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Wages.
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