Wilmington General Contractor Pros is a referral service run by R&S. You call the number on this page, and your request goes to one independent local contractor in Wilmington, North Carolina, which prices the project and does the work. Wilmington General Contractor Pros does no building and sends nobody to your house. Not sure what kind of builder you need? Read how to hire a general contractor in Wilmington.
How does the referral work when you call?
This site takes requests by phone only. There is no web form. Scope, price, schedule, contract and warranty are then between you and the contractor, not Wilmington General Contractor Pros.
Call and leave a message with your name, your ZIP code and what you want done, such as "gut a small bathroom in a 1950s house." We call you back within one business day and connect you with a local general contractor.
Who does the work?
The work is done by an independent local contractor, not by Wilmington General Contractor Pros.
Anything a contractor says about its own license, insurance or past jobs is its own claim, not something Wilmington General Contractor Pros has checked. The next sections show what you can check yourself.
When does a Wilmington job need a licensed general contractor?
New Hanover County's permit FAQ says projects valued at $40,000 or more generally require a licensed general contractor. Labor and materials both count toward that value, and splitting purchases into smaller orders does not avoid the requirement. The county also has an owner-builder exemption. It is generally meant for owners who will live in the home as their primary residence for at least 12 consecutive months, and it may not apply to LLC-owned, investment, resale or rental properties. If you rent out the house, ask the county before you plan to act as your own builder.
For any contractor you meet, ask to see its license number and an insurance certificate before you sign.
Who issues the permit inside Wilmington?
It is not the city. Building permits for work inside Wilmington city limits are issued by the New Hanover County Department of Permits & Inspections. You or your contractor apply in the county's COAST online portal or in person at the county government center. The city still handles zoning and historic preservation review, and the structure has to meet the city's Land Development Code before a permit is issued.
If your house sits in one of the local historic or overlay districts, such as Carolina Heights and Winoca Terrace, or the downtown commercial overlay, changes can also need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city, separate from the county permit. The city's page says exterior changes in a local district "may require" one and does not list which work, so ask the city's Historic Preservation team before you sign a contract.
Fees matter to a budget. The county charges $60 for a minor remodel job that needs one inspection. A major remodel with two or more inspections is $0.221 per square foot with a $400 minimum, and trade permits are included. Additions are $0.441 per under-roof square foot, also with a $400 minimum. Starting work without a permit costs a $100 penalty at the least. Your contractor should say who pays the permit fee and put it in writing. The kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and home additions pages work through what a typical job needs.
What is the building code right now?
North Carolina delayed its 2024 State Building Code. The 2018 North Carolina State Building Code stays in effect until the new code takes effect, which is 12 months after the State Fire Marshal certifies two conditions, according to the State Fire Marshal's office. A contractor quoting you should build to the code in force, not one that is only announced.
What should I know before digging, flood and storm work?
Any job that digs, such as an addition or a fence, needs a call to 811 at least 3 full working days ahead. The service is free, and the marks last 28 calendar days. Private lines are not marked through 811, so ask your contractor how it will find them.
Flood rules depend on where you live. The county says new construction and substantial improvements in the mapped 100-year floodplain must meet standards, mainly by raising the lowest floor. Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach run their own floodplain ordinances, so for those towns the town or city office, not the county, applies the flood rules. Ask the contractor to check your flood zone before pricing.
Storms are part of the job here. Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach at 7:15 am on September 14, 2018, and the National Weather Service recorded a 105 mph gust at Wilmington International Airport. A contractor who works here should be able to explain how it handles weather delays and storm-season scheduling.
Which towns do calls come from?
Calls are welcome for homes in Wilmington and in Leland, Belville, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Boiling Spring Lakes, St. James and Oak Island. Ask the contractor which office issues the permit at your address.
The disclosure and how to reach us
Wilmington General Contractor Pros is a referral service operated by wilmingtongeneralcontractorpros.com ("R&S"). We pass your request to an independent local company, which does the work.
See the Contact page for what to have ready when you call.