General Contractors in Bergen County, NJ
Every general contractor listed here is a registered New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor with insurance we've seen. Compare pros for additions, basements and renovations and get quotes.
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Pros serving Bergen County, NJ
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What general contractors cost in Bergen County
| Job | Typical cost | Data from |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-home renovation | $15–$150 per sq ft | National |
| Home renovation (typical project total) | $19,500–$88,400 per project | National |
| Basement remodel (average job) | about $61,417 per project | NY metro |
| Wood deck addition (average job) | about $22,867 per project | NY metro |
| Bathroom addition, midrange (average job) | about $70,419 per project | NY metro |
| Primary suite addition, midrange (average job) | about $198,696 per project | NY metro |
"National" figures are US averages, not local prices. Last updated November 4, 2026. Sources: This Old House, 2026; JLC Cost vs. Value, 2025. Full cost guide
How to choose a general contractor in Bergen County
For renovations and additions, your contractor must be registered as a New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor. Builders of new one- or two-family homes register under a separate state builder program instead. Ask for their New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration number and look it up on the state's license lookup (Business Search, license type "Home Improvement Business Contr"). The number must appear on their ads, contracts and work vehicles. Ask for a certificate of insurance too: registered contractors must carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in general liability coverage.
Additions and major renovations need permits and, usually, drawings. State rules bar a contractor from starting before required permits are issued, and a newer law makes the contractor liable for fines if a needed permit is skipped. Ask who prepares the plans and who pulls the permits.
On a big job, the payment schedule matters as much as the price. Tie payments to finished stages of work rather than dates, and never pay the final amount before the job is done. Any job over $500 needs a written, signed contract that lists the work, the main materials, start and finish dates and the total price. You can cancel for any reason until midnight of the third business day after you get your copy.
Questions to ask
- What is your HIC registration number?
- Who draws the plans and pulls the permits?
- Which licensed plumber and electrician do you use?
- How is the payment schedule tied to finished work?
Red flags
- No HIC registration number on the contract, estimate, ads or truck. N.J.S.A. 56:8-144 requires it on all of them (source).
- No written contract for a job over $500, or a contract missing the bold “NOTICE TO CONSUMER” three-day cancellation box (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151, source).
- Won’t attach a copy of its $500,000 general liability insurance certificate and the insurer’s phone number to the contract, which state law requires (source).
- Asks for final payment, or a signed certificate of completion, before the work is finished. State consumer rules prohibit this (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2).
- Won’t list the licensed plumbing, electrical and HVACR subcontractors. Their names and license numbers belong on the permit application (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15).
- Starts work before the permit is issued (outside minor or emergency work). NJ rules bar sellers from starting work before required permits are issued (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2).
New Jersey licensing
What to check: New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number (format not confirmed). For new one- or two-family homes, the builder’s State builder registration number.
New Jersey has no separate state license for general contractors. Instead, under the Contractors’ Registration Act the business must register every year with the Division of Consumer Affairs as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). It must also carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance, plus workers’ compensation unless exempt. The registration number has to appear on its contracts, ads, business documents and commercial vehicles. A 2024 licensing law will add individual licenses once its new board adopts rules. That law adds a “principal” license for overseeing contracts of $120,000 or more that need plans in more than one subcode. New-home builders register separately under the New Home Warranty and Builders’ Registration Act; the number goes on the permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15). To verify, use the Consumer Affairs license lookup (Business Search, license type “Home Improvement Business Contr”).
Permits
Additions, structural alterations, changes of use and most renovations need a construction permit from the local construction office before work starts (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14). The application must state that all required state, county and local prior approvals (such as zoning) have been given, and it must list each contractor and the licensed plumbing, electrical and HVACR subcontractors (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15). The office must act within 20 business days (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.16). Renovations to one- or two-family homes that don’t alter primary structural members can be minor work (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A). Zoning and fees vary by town.
General Contractors by town
Common questions
Do general contractors need a license in New Jersey?
Contractors doing home improvements must register every year with the Division of Consumer Affairs as Home Improvement Contractors and carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance. A 2024 law creates individual licenses, including a “principal” license for large multi-trade jobs, but its licensing sections start only after the new board adopts rules. Builders of new homes register separately with the Department of Community Affairs. (Source)
Do I need a permit for a home addition or major renovation in NJ?
Yes. The Uniform Construction Code requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering or renovating a structure, unless the work is ordinary maintenance. The application must state that required zoning and other local, county and state approvals have been given. Renovations to one- or two-family homes that don’t alter primary structural members may qualify as minor work. (Source)
What happens if my contractor starts work without a permit?
New Jersey consumer rules prohibit a home improvement seller from starting work before the required permits are issued. Where inspections are required, the seller must give you copies of the inspection certificates. The 2024 contractor licensing law also makes the contractor liable for fines or penalties from failing to get a needed permit. Keep copies of permits and approvals. (Source)
How long does a construction permit take in New Jersey?
Under the Uniform Construction Code, the local construction official must approve or deny a complete permit application within 20 business days, unless you agree to an extension. Once work is ready, inspections must be done within three business days of the request, or another time within 30 days that you agree on. For minor work, the contractor can start after notifying the office and file the application within five business days. (Source)
What does New Jersey require in a written home improvement contract?
Any home improvement contract over $500, and every change to it, must be in writing and signed by all parties. It must list the contractor’s legal name, address and registration number. It must include a copy of the liability insurance certificate and the insurer’s phone number, and the total price including finance charges. Consumer Affairs rules also require a description of the work and main materials, start and completion dates, and any warranty terms. (Source)
Can I cancel a home improvement contract after I sign it in New Jersey?
Yes. You can cancel a home improvement contract for any reason before midnight of the third business day after you receive a copy. The cancellation must be in writing, sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered in person to the address in the contract. The contractor must refund everything you paid within 30 days of receiving your notice. Contracts must print this right in a bold notice. (Source)
How do I check whether a general contractor is registered in New Jersey?
Use the Division of Consumer Affairs license verification site. Choose Business Search and the license type “Home Improvement Business Contr”, then search by business name or city. Make sure the name matches the contract and the registration is current. Registered contractors must also print their registration number on contracts, ads and commercial vehicles, so compare that number with the lookup result. (Source)
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