How much do general contractors charge per hour to do work?

Answer 1

I don't think most general contractors work on hourly rates. A general contractor working on a cost-plus basis typically charges between 10% and 15% over the total project cost as her profit. A general contractor working on a fixed-bid will probably have a significantly higher margin to account for unexpected expenses. This year (2008), the general contractor building our home in Los Angeles, CA is on a fixed fee of 10% of the estimated project cost, plus $75 per hour for any additional work due to major change requests. That hourly rate is probably high for non-costal cities.