1.Production Painting & Remodeling LLC
19 Cat Boat Pl, Savannah, GA 31410, USA
5.0(153 reviews)
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Best General-contractor in Savannah, GA — 6 Vetted Contractors
Editorial by Andre Caçador, Founder of Hero365 · Sources: Google Places · Last updated Jul 21, 2026
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2.Russell Home Renewal
7805 Waters Ave #7A, Savannah, GA 31406, USA
5.0(15 reviews)
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3.Your Exterior Pros
5 Carolan St, Savannah, GA 31415, USA
4.9(504 reviews)
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4.Coastal Contractors & Installers, LLC
5507 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
4.8(52 reviews)
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5.Eco Friendly Construction and Design, Inc
1600 Staley Ave unit a, Savannah, GA 31405, USA
4.7(20 reviews)
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6.American Craftsman Renovations
102 Hopecrest Ave, Savannah, GA 31406, USA
4.0(17 reviews)
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Hiring a General-contractor in Savannah: What to Know
How much does general contractor work cost in Savannah?
Pricing splits sharply by neighborhood and housing age. For hourly or small-scope work, expect $65-$125/hr depending on the contractor's overhead and whether they carry historic-restoration expertise. Most mid-to-large projects are quoted as a flat bid or a GC fee of 10-20% on top of subcontractor and materials cost. In the Landmark Historic District, Victorian District, or Ardsley Park, whole-home renovations commonly run $150-$300 per square foot because of custom millwork replication, plaster repair, lead paint handling, and Certificate of Appropriateness compliance that adds time and specialty labor. New construction or additions in Pooler, Richmond Hill, or Southside Savannah typically run $130-$220 per square foot — closer to national averages since there's no historic overlay to satisfy. Kitchen remodels generally land between $30,000 and $80,000 depending on layout changes and cabinetry grade; bathroom remodels run $12,000-$35,000. These figures track with regional averages reported by Angi and HomeAdvisor's 2025 cost surveys, adjusted upward for Savannah's historic-district labor premium. Always get itemized bids from at least three contractors — the spread between bids on historic properties here is wider than in most cities because fewer contractors have the restoration experience to bid confidently, so quotes can vary by 40% or more for the same scope.
What to look for when vetting a contractor here
Start with the Georgia license lookup at elicense.georgia.gov and confirm the contractor holds either a Residential Contractor or General Contractor license — the two tiers matter because Residential is capped at structures three stories or under, which covers most Savannah housing but not all downtown mixed-use buildings. Ask directly whether they've pulled Certificates of Appropriateness through Savannah's Metropolitan Planning Commission before; if they hesitate or don't know the term, that's a red flag for any historic-district project. Request references from jobs within the same zip code — a contractor who's renovated three ranch homes in Pooler isn't automatically equipped for a pier-and-beam townhouse on Jones Street. Confirm general liability insurance and workers' comp coverage, and ask for proof, not just a verbal assurance. For anything touching plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, verify the GC is either licensed in those trades or is subcontracting to someone who is — Georgia requires separate licensure for those specialty trades even under a GC's umbrella. Finally, insist on a written contract specifying payment schedule, lien waiver process, and who's responsible for permit and Historic Review Board filings — this last point trips up more Savannah homeowners than any other single item.
Licensing and permits: who actually regulates this in Georgia
Georgia contractor licensing is handled statewide by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, part of the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division, under authority granted by O.C.G.A. § 43-41. Since 2008, anyone acting as a general contractor on projects over $2,500 must hold a state license — there's no separate Savannah or Chatham County contractor license layered on top. Permits themselves are a local matter: within Savannah's city limits, you'll pull permits through the City of Savannah's Department of Development Services; in unincorporated Chatham County (Wilmington Island, Skidaway, most of the Southside outskirts), it runs through Chatham County's Building Safety & Regulatory Services instead. The wrinkle unique to Savannah is the Historic District overlay — the Landmark Historic District is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the country, and any exterior work visible from a public street or square (roofing, windows, paint colors, additions, fencing) requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Board of Review or, for minor changes, staff-level approval through the Metropolitan Planning Commission before the city will even issue a building permit. Skipping this step is the single most common reason Savannah renovation projects get stopped mid-construction.
Local conditions that shape the work
Savannah sits low and flat with a high water table, so drainage and foundation moisture are recurring issues — many historic homes rest on tabby or brick pier foundations that need specialized masonry repair, not standard concrete patching. Subterranean termites are a year-round concern in coastal Georgia; the Georgia Department of Agriculture requires wood-destroying-organism inspections and often a termite bond disclosure during renovation or sale, and remediation can add $1,500-$10,000+ to a project depending on severity. Salt air accelerates corrosion on metal fasteners, HVAC condensers, and railings, particularly closer to the river and the Wilmington/Skidaway corridors. A meaningful share of pre-1960s housing stock still has knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized and cast-iron plumbing, which insurers increasingly flag — expect a full electrical or plumbing system replacement to surface as a line item once a contractor opens up walls in an older home. Flood risk is real in parts of the city near the river and tidal marshes; check FEMA flood zone maps before committing to a major addition, since anything in Zone AE may require elevation certificates and raised mechanical systems, both of which change your budget meaningfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small exterior update in Savannah's historic district?+
Usually yes. If the change is visible from a public street or square — new paint color, a fence, window replacement, roofing material — it generally requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Board of Review or staff-level sign-off through Savannah's Metropolitan Planning Commission before the city issues a building permit. Interior-only work typically doesn't trigger this review, but confirm with MPC directly since interpretations vary by scope.
How do I check if a contractor's license is legitimate?+
Use the Georgia Secretary of State's license lookup at elicense.georgia.gov and search by the contractor's name or license number. Confirm whether they hold a Residential Contractor license (capped at three-story structures) or a General Contractor license (unlimited scope), and check the license status is active, not expired or disciplined.
What does a kitchen remodel cost in Savannah right now?+
Most full kitchen remodels run $30,000-$80,000 depending on whether you're moving plumbing/electrical, the cabinetry grade, and whether the home is in a historic overlay requiring approved materials. Cosmetic-only refreshes (countertops, cabinet fronts, appliances) can come in under $20,000 — get itemized bids since the spread is wide.
My home is near the marsh or river — does that change anything?+
Yes. Check FEMA flood zone maps before planning an addition or major renovation; properties in Zone AE near the Savannah River or tidal marshes may need elevation certificates, raised mechanical equipment, and flood-resistant materials, all of which add cost and require additional permitting steps through the city or Chatham County.
How long does the Certificate of Appropriateness process take?+
Straightforward requests (matching-material window replacement, approved paint colors) can be handled at staff level in a couple weeks. Anything requiring full Historic District Board of Review — additions, new construction, significant facade changes — typically takes 4-6 weeks from application to hearing, sometimes longer if revisions are requested. Build this into your project timeline before signing a start date with your contractor.
Are Georgia contractors required to carry insurance?+
Georgia's state licensing requirements for General and Residential Contractors include proof of general liability insurance as part of licensure. Bonding isn't mandated statewide, but many lenders, HOAs, and historic district projects require it anyway — ask your contractor directly and request a certificate of insurance naming you as an additional insured for the project duration.
What should I budget for termite or moisture damage discovered mid-renovation?+
In coastal Georgia, plan for the possibility. Minor treatment and spot repair runs $1,500-$4,000; significant structural repair to joists, sills, or subfloor from long-term termite or moisture damage can run $5,000-$10,000 or more. Older Savannah homes with crawlspaces are especially prone to this, so a pre-renovation wood-destroying-organism inspection is worth the few hundred dollars it costs upfront.
When's the best time of year to schedule a major renovation in Savannah?+
Late fall through early spring is generally easiest for exterior work — you avoid peak Atlantic hurricane season (roughly August through October) and the worst of the summer humidity, which slows paint curing, concrete work, and roofing. Contractor schedules also get backed up after any storm event, so booking outside that window often means shorter lead times.
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