Is It Worth Getting a General Contractor?

Why Beverly Hills Homeowners Are Investing in General Contractors (And Why You Should Too)

Let's cut through the noise: Is hiring a general contractor worth the money?

If you've been thinking about a kitchen remodel, bathroom update, or home addition, you've probably debated this. The upfront cost of hiring a GC feels high. But the real question isn't "Is it worth it?" it's "What am I actually getting for my money?"

The answer might surprise you.

The Investment Numbers (And They're Real)

A kitchen remodel in Beverly Hills or the greater Los Angeles area typically runs between $75,000 and $150,000, depending on scope and finishes. With a general contractor managing the project, you're paying a coordination fee of roughly 20% to 30% on top of materials and subcontractor labor.

That sounds expensive until you understand what happens without it.

According to 2025 home improvement data, homeowners who remodel their kitchens see a return on investment of 54% to 80% upon resale. Bathroom additions return 55% to 87%. Even partial renovations (new windows, roof replacement, siding) return 70% to 99% of your investment.

But here's the catch: Those numbers assume the work is done correctly, meets code, and adds genuine value to your home. A DIY-coordinated project or one handled by unvetted contractors? The ROI drops. Way down.

What You're Actually Paying For

When you hire a licensed general contractor, you're not just paying for management. You're buying:

1. Expertise in Local Code Compliance

Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County have strict building codes. Your contractor understands Title 24 energy standards, seismic requirements, and LADBS inspection procedures. They know what inspectors will look for and how to structure your project to pass the first time, not the fifth.

An unlicensed or inexperienced contractor? They might skip permits entirely, leaving you with an unpermitted renovation that kills your home's resale value and creates liability when the next owner discovers it.

2. Risk Management and Insurance

A general contractor carries liability insurance. If someone gets injured on your property, if a mistake damages your neighbor's home, or if a subcontractor doesn't carry proper insurance your contractor's policy covers it. You're protected.

Without a GC, you're personally liable. One accident could cost you hundreds of thousands.

3. Subcontractor Management

Your kitchen remodel needs plumbers, electricians, cabinet makers, tile installers, and inspectors. A general contractor has relationships with quality subcontractors. They vet them, they know they'll show up, they know the quality of their work, and they can hold them accountable.

You hire separately? You're managing 5+ different vendors, praying they coordinate, and hoping the last person doesn't show up three weeks late (which, by the way, happens constantly in homeowner-coordinated projects).

4. Problem Solving

During most renovations, something unexpected happens. You open a wall and find structural damage. A plumbing line is in a different location than expected. The inspector flags something.

A general contractor has solved these problems hundreds of times. They adjust the plan, they talk to the inspector, they fix it without panic. They take the stress off you.

Without a GC? You're coordinating emergency fixes, rearranging schedules, and hoping solutions don't blow up your budget.

5. Timeline Protection

A properly managed project with a general contractor has built-in contingency planning. Yes, 8-week renovations can stretch to 10 weeks. But they don't turn into 16-week nightmares where you're living in a construction zone indefinitely.

DIY coordination? Projects regularly double in timeline because of poor vendor management, scheduling conflicts, and unforeseen issues.

Living in your home during a 16-week construction project instead of 10 weeks? That's a quality-of-life cost that's hard to quantify but very real to experience.

The Tangible Returns (That Matter)

Let's talk about what you actually get back:

Increased Home Value: A quality kitchen remodel adds tens of thousands to your home's market value. A haphazard one adds... considerably less. The difference often comes down to whether a professional managed the project.

Code Compliance: Future buyers and their inspectors will look for permits. Unpermitted work is a massive red flag that tanks offers. A contractor ensures everything is permitted and documented.

Warranty and Peace of Mind: Reputable contractors warranty their work. If something fails within a set period, they fix it at no cost. That's insurance. DIY projects? You own the problems forever.

Better Craftsmanship: General contractors coordinate quality subcontractors. The tile gets installed correctly. The electrical passes inspection the first time. The cabinets fit perfectly. These things matter, and they show.

Time Back in Your Life: Instead of spending 6 months coordinating contractors, you get your life back. For busy professionals in Beverly Hills, that alone is worth something.

The Honest Reality Check

Here's what a general contractor won't do:

• Save you money compared to hiring the absolute cheapest person you can find

• Speed up the project if you're chasing an unrealistic timeline

• Magically keep the budget static if you keep changing your mind about materials

• Work on a project where the budget is so tight there's no contingency

A general contractor is valuable when you're serious about doing the job right, you have a reasonable budget with some cushion, and you want someone accountable for results.

When NOT to Use a General Contractor

• You're doing a purely cosmetic refresh (painting, new hardware) with a handyman or a single trade

• Your budget is so tight you can't afford the coordination fee

• You're hiring a single subcontractor for one specific task (like a roofer replacing your roof)

For those situations, you don't need a GC. In fact, understanding when a handyman makes more sense than a contractor can save you money on smaller projects.

When You SHOULD Use a General Contractor

• Kitchen remodel (multiple trades, permits, complexity)

• Bathroom remodel (same reasons)

• Home addition (structural, permitting, complex coordination)

• Any project requiring multiple licensed trades

• Any project requiring permits

• Any project over $10,000

• Any project where you're opening walls, moving utilities, or changing the home's layout

For these projects, a GC isn't a luxury—it's actually a financial safeguard.

The Beverly Hills Reality

In our market, homes appreciate quickly. A well-executed renovation adds serious value. That $100,000 kitchen remodel might return $70,000 to $80,000 when you sell assuming it's done correctly. An poorly executed DIY-coordinated project might return $40,000.

That $30,000 to $40,000 difference? That's what the "expensive" general contractor actually saved you by doing the project right.

Making Your Hire Decision

Once you've decided a general contractor is the right choice for your project, the next step is finding the right one. Here's our complete guide to hiring a local contractor, including what to verify, how to compare bids, and red flags to watch for.

Your Move

If you're considering a remodel in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles County, stop asking, "Can I afford a general contractor?" Start asking, "Can I afford NOT to hire one?"

California Construction & Remodeling Experts has managed hundreds of kitchen remodels, bathrooms, and home additions across Beverly Hills and LA County. We're licensed, insured, and our projects speak for themselves.

Related Posts in This Series

• What do most general contractors charge per hour? — Understand the costs and what drives them

• Is it cheaper to hire a handyman or contractor? — Compare for different project sizes

• How do I hire a local contractor? — Complete vetting and hiring guide

Want to see if your project makes sense with a general contractor? Book a free in-home consultation. We'll be honest about what you need and what it'll cost. Call (323) 638-7558 or visit www.calbuildremodel.com to see our kitchen remodeling services and understand how professional management protects your investment. We're located at 9100 Wilshire Blvd. E. Tower STE. 333, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.