General Contracting contractors in
Savannah, Georgia.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Savannah. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
General Contracting jobs in Savannah
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Georgia requires General Contractor (GC) licensure through the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (GCILB). License classification: Residential Contractor (residential work under $50k) or General Contractor (all work, no limit). Requirements: High school diploma/GED, 4 years documented construction experience (or 2 years with 2-year construction degree), pass NASCLA exam covering GA construction laws and business practices, obtain $25k-$50k surety bond depending on license class, maintain errors & omissions insurance. Renewal every 2 years with continuing education (4 hours annually). Exam fee approximately $300-$400. License application fee $200-$600 depending on classification.
Permit Requirements
Chatham County and City of Savannah require permits for nearly all structural work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical systems. Residential projects over $1,000, all commercial projects, roof replacements, additions, and renovations require building permits. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits required separately. Permit applications submit through Savannah/Chatham Development Authority. Estimated processing: 5-10 business days for standard residential; 10-20 days for complex projects. Permit costs range 0.5%-2% of project value depending on scope.
Inspection Schedule
Savannah building inspections typically required at: (1) Foundation/footings, (2) Framing rough-in, (3) Electrical/plumbing/HVAC rough-in, (4) Insulation/drywall before covering, (5) Final inspection upon project completion. Each trade (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) may require separate inspections. Schedule inspections minimum 24 hours in advance through Savannah/Chatham Development Authority. Failed inspections require corrections and re-inspection (additional 3-7 days).
Insurance Minimums
Georgia does not mandate specific insurance minimums by statute, but standard market requirements: General Liability minimum $300,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate; Workers' Compensation required if any employees (statutory minimum per GA Department of Labor); Builder's Risk/Course of Construction minimum $500,000 for projects over $100k. Surety bond $25,000-$50,000 required for GCILB licensure. Umbrella coverage $1,000,000 recommended for established firms.
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Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 9/6/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Document Construction Experience
Accumulate minimum 4 years (8,000 hours) documented construction experience in general contracting, or 2 years with a 2-year construction-related degree. Keep detailed records: dates of employment, employer name, project descriptions, supervisor contact info. Use GA Form 60 (Construction Experience Log) or equivalent. Have supervisors sign off on experience. GCILB requires verifiable proof; sloppy documentation delays approval 4-8 weeks.
Complete NASCLA Exam Application
Submit application to Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (GCILB) at least 4 weeks before desired exam date. Application requires: completed GA Application for Construction License, high school diploma/GED copy, construction experience documentation (Form 60 or signed letters), passport photo, and application fee ($200-$600 depending on license class). Process time: 2-4 weeks. Once approved, you receive exam eligibility notice.
Schedule and Pass NASCLA Exam
Register for NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) exam through Pearson VUE. Exam covers GA construction law, OSHA basics, business practices, project management, and building code fundamentals. Study materials available through NASCLA or Georgia-specific prep providers. Exam fee: $300-$400. Test takes 3.5 hours, 100 questions. Passing score: typically 70%. Results posted within 1-2 weeks of exam date. Retake available if failed (additional fee).
Obtain Surety Bond
Once you pass the NASCLA exam, secure a surety bond from a licensed bonding company. Bond amount: $25,000 for Residential Contractor, $50,000 for General Contractor (or higher if voluntarily bonded). Surety company underwrites based on credit score, business history, and financial statements. Processing: 5-10 business days. Annual renewal required. Bond cost: 1-3% of bond amount annually ($250-$1,500 for standard GC bond). Keep bond active throughout license period.
Submit Final License Application
Return to GCILB with proof of passed NASCLA exam, active surety bond certificate, and any additional documentation requested. Final application fee (if not already paid). GCILB reviews for completeness and issues license within 1-2 weeks if all materials in order. License is valid for 2 years; renewal requires continuing education (4 hours annually) and re-application 30 days before expiration. License number and confirmation arrive by mail; download digital copy from GCILB portal.
About This Market
Savannah's general contracting market runs steady year-round but peaks hard spring through fall. You've got decent demand: residential remodels, historic district renovations, new infill development, and commercial tenant improvements keep crews moving. Competition is moderate—you're not fighting Atlanta-level saturation, but you're not the only outfit in town either. Costs run middle-of-the-road for coastal Georgia: labor tracks BLS at roughly $59/hr median, materials inflate 8-12% above national average due to shipping to the coast, and historic district work commands premiums (20-40% markup) because of strict design review and specialized trades. Moisture and humidity accelerate material degradation, so maintenance-driven work stays consistent. The Savannah market rewards contractors who understand coastal building science and historic preservation guidelines.
To work this market, you need a Georgia General Contractor license—non-negotiable. Get your 4 years documented experience logged, pass the NASCLA exam, and secure your surety bond before you bid a single job. Savannah/Chatham permit process is professional but deliberate—budget 2-3 weeks into every schedule for approvals. The historic district (roughly 2.2 square miles) operates under stricter review; expect 4-6 week permitting for anything visible from the street. Know your inspectors by name; they're fair but detail-oriented. Peak season (April-October) means your crews are booked solid if you're competent—plan labor 8-10 weeks out. Off-season (November-March) is when you service your existing clients and bid next year's work. Moisture control and foundation issues are endemic to the area; positioning yourself as the contractor who understands water management builds reputation fast.
- Median hourly wage for general contractorsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Number of licensed general contracting establishments in GeorgiaU.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (CBP), NAICS 236210 (General Contracting)
- Georgia licensing requirements and exam proceduresGeorgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (GCILB) official statutes and administrative rules
- Savannah permit and inspection proceduresSavannah/Chatham Development Authority Building Permit Division
- Historic district design review requirementsCity of Savannah Planning Department and Architectural Review Board guidelines
- NASCLA exam content and proceduresNational Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA)
- Georgia workers compensation and insurance minimumsGeorgia Department of Labor and Georgia Insurance Commissioner regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Residential Contractor and General Contractor license in Georgia?
Georgia's Residential Contractor license limits you to residential work projects under $50,000 and requires 4 years experience or 2 years with a 2-year construction degree. General Contractor license covers residential and commercial work with no dollar cap but requires same experience path. Both require NASCLA exam passage, surety bond ($25k-$50k), and GCILB licensure. If you plan any commercial work or residential projects exceeding $50k, pursue General Contractor. Source: Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (GCILB).
How long does it take to get a general contractor license in Georgia?
Timeline: 4 years documented construction experience (minimum; 2 years acceptable with 2-year degree), then application processing 2-4 weeks, then exam scheduling 1-3 weeks after approval. Exam results posted within 1-2 weeks. Total: minimum 6-8 weeks if you already have experience logged; 4+ years if starting from scratch. Many contractors apply while still accumulating hours; expect 4-6 months realistically once you're ready to submit. Source: GCILB application process documentation.
What permits do I need for a kitchen remodel in Savannah?
Kitchen remodels over $1,000 require: (1) Building Permit from Savannah/Chatham Development Authority, (2) Electrical Permit if rewiring/adding circuits, (3) Plumbing Permit if moving fixtures or drain lines, (4) Mechanical Permit if HVAC ductwork changes. All permits submit together via the development authority; expect 5-10 days processing for standard scope. Inspection sequence: rough electrical/plumbing/HVAC, then final building inspection. Budget $400-$800 total permit costs for typical remodel. Source: Savannah/Chatham Development Authority Building Permit Division.
Are there extra requirements for work in Savannah's historic district?
Yes. Any visible exterior work or structural changes in the historic district (roughly 2.2 square miles, bounded by East Broad, Forsyth Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, and River Street) requires Design Review approval from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) or City Design Review Board before building permit issuance. This adds 4-6 weeks to permitting. Interior-only work not visible from street may bypass review. Materials must match existing (often requiring specialty millwork), and contractors benefit from understanding 18th-19th century construction methods. Permit costs inflate 15-25% for historic work. Source: City of Savannah Historic District & Design Guidelines.
What's the median wage for general contractors in Georgia, and how does Savannah compare?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median hourly wage for construction managers/general contractors at $59.05/hr ($122,824/yr). Savannah market typically tracks 5-10% below this due to lower cost-of-living and regional wage scales, placing local GCs at approximately $52-$56/hr for field management roles. Established contractors pricing projects (rather than hourly wage) generate higher effective rates. Labor costs comprise 35-45% of residential project budgets; material and overhead split the remainder. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
General Contracting contractors in Savannah
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