General contractor in Houston.
Design, permitting, and construction under one fixed-price contract — so one company is accountable from the first sketch to the final walkthrough.
A general contractor in Houston manages permits, trades, materials, inspections, and schedule for a construction project. Texas does not license general contractors at the state level, so vetting means checking general liability and workers' comp insurance, municipal registration, references, and a written fixed-price contract. On a Houston remodel, general contractor overhead and profit typically runs 15–25% of construction cost. Novara Construction is a design-build general contractor at 2825 Wilcrest Dr, Suite 621, Houston, TX 77042 — (281) 889-1068 — serving Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Waller counties.
How to check a Houston contractor
Texas issues no general contractor license, so these six documents are your real protection. Ask any bidder for all of them.
- Certificate of general liability insurance naming you, issued directly by the carrier
- Texas workers' compensation coverage or a written subcontractor insurance policy
- Registration with the jurisdiction that will issue your permit
- Three references on projects of similar scope in the last two years
- A written fixed-price contract with a defined scope, schedule, and change-order process
- A lien waiver process — conditional on progress payments, unconditional at closeout
Six steps, one accountable team.
Consultation
We walk the property, listen to the scope, and give you an honest budget range before anyone signs anything.
Design & documents
In-house architecture and interior design produce plans, elevations, and selections complete enough to price accurately.
Fixed-price proposal
One number, itemized. Allowances are named. Change orders are written and priced before work starts.
Permits & approvals
We pull the permit, manage plan review, and handle HOA or historic-district submittals where they apply.
Construction
One project manager, one schedule, weekly reporting, and a clean site at the end of every day.
Closeout
Punch list, final inspection, warranty documentation, and lien waivers from every trade.
What projects actually cost here.
| Project | Typical range | On-site time |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | $55,000 – $220,000 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Primary bathroom | $35,000 – $150,000 | 5 – 8 weeks |
| Home addition | $325 – $525 / sq ft | 4 – 7 months |
| Whole-home renovation | $150 – $275 / sq ft | 6 – 12 months |
| Outdoor living | $45,000 – $200,000 | 8 – 16 weeks |
| Custom home | $325 – $600+ / sq ft | 10 – 16 months |
| Commercial / flex build | $110 – $225 / sq ft | 3 – 9 months |
Greater Houston market ranges for 2026. Not a quote — your number depends on scope, finish level, and existing conditions.
Common questions
Do general contractors need a license in Texas?
Texas has no statewide general contractor license. Individual trades — electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians — are licensed by the state, and some cities require contractor registration to pull permits. Because there is no state license to check, insurance certificates, permit history, references, and contract terms are how you verify a Houston contractor.
What does a general contractor charge in Houston?
On a managed remodel, general contractor overhead and profit typically runs 15–25% of construction cost. Cost-plus contracts state that fee openly; fixed-price contracts fold it into a single number. Design-build firms include design, permitting, and construction management in one contract rather than billing them as separate engagements.
What's the difference between a general contractor and a design-build firm?
A general contractor builds what someone else drew. A design-build firm draws and builds, so one company is responsible when the plan and the field disagree. Design-build usually shortens schedules and eliminates the finger-pointing that happens when a design cannot be built for the budget.
Who pulls the permit — me or the contractor?
Your contractor should. A homeowner permit shifts code liability to you. We pull the permit and manage inspections in every jurisdiction we work in, including the City of Houston Permitting Center, Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria counties, and independent cities such as West University Place, Bellaire, Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland, and Missouri City.
How long does a Houston remodel take?
A kitchen is roughly 8–12 weeks on site after 4–6 weeks of design and permitting. A primary bathroom is 5–8 weeks. A home addition is 4–7 months on site. A whole-home renovation is 6–12 months. Permitting adds time in jurisdictions with plan review.
Does a general contractor handle HOA approval?
We do. In master-planned communities like Cinco Ranch, Riverstone, Bridgeland, and The Woodlands, exterior work needs architectural committee or Development Standards approval before a permit is worth applying for. We prepare and submit those packages.