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Residential General Contractor in Gainesville and Hall County, GA
What a general contractor does on a home project, when Georgia requires one, how permits and payments work, and what custom homes, additions and major remodels cost around Gainesville.
Quick answer: EBD Construction LLC is a licensed and insured residential general contractor in Gainesville, Georgia, owned by Eric Bubniak. EBD builds custom homes and room additions and runs major remodels across Hall County and Lake Lanier, handling the estimate, permits, inspections, trades and cleanup from start to finish. Around Gainesville a single room addition typically costs $15,000 to $90,000, a full whole-home renovation $40,000 to $250,000, and a new custom home $150 to $350+ per square foot. Free consultations: 404-925-7481.
What does a residential general contractor do?
A general contractor (GC) is the one company responsible for your whole project. On a home addition or major remodel that means:
- Estimate and contract. A written, line-by-line price, a scope of work and a payment schedule tied to progress.
- Permits and inspections. Drawing the permit with the City of Gainesville or Hall County and meeting the inspector at footing, framing, rough-in and final.
- Scheduling the trades. Framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, tile, cabinets, paint and flooring in the right order.
- Materials. Ordering long-lead items like windows, cabinets and trusses early so the job doesn't stall.
- Quality and problem solving. Catching rot, bad wiring or out-of-square walls when they're found, and pricing the fix before going further.
- Cleanup and closeout. Keeping the site safe and clean, finishing the punch list, closing the permit and standing behind the work.
EBD's own crew of three full-time builders does the carpentry, framing and finish work, and the same trusted subcontractors handle licensed trades like plumbing, electrical and HVAC.
General contractor vs. handyman vs. hiring trades yourself
| General contractor | Handyman | Hiring trades yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Additions, new homes, kitchens, baths, whole-home remodels, anything structural | Small repairs and single tasks | Single-trade jobs (e.g. just a new water heater) |
| Georgia license | Required for most work over $2,500 | Limited to small jobs | Each trade needs its own license |
| Who pulls permits | The contractor | Often none pulled | You and each trade |
| Who schedules and supervises | The contractor | The handyman | You |
| Who's responsible if it fails inspection | The contractor | Unclear | You, sorting it out between trades |
When does Georgia require a licensed general contractor?
Georgia requires a residential or general contractor license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors for most residential construction work valued over $2,500. A residential license covers one- and two-family homes and townhomes; a general contractor license covers residential and commercial work. Plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors hold their own separate state licenses. Before you hire anyone, look up their license on the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup, ask for a certificate of insurance, and confirm they will pull the permit. More in how to choose a remodeling contractor.
What does EBD build, and what does it cost?
| Project | Typical cost around Gainesville | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| New custom home | $150–$350+ per sq ft | 8–14 months |
| Small home or cottage | $90,000–$300,000 | 8–14 months |
| Single room addition | $15,000–$90,000 | 3–5 months |
| Primary suite addition | $30,000–$160,000 | 4–8 months |
| Second-story addition | $40,000+ | 4–8 months |
| Full whole-home renovation | $40,000–$250,000 | 4–8 months |
| Finished basement | $20,000–$75,000 | 4–10 weeks |
| Garage to in-law suite | $30,000–$100,000+ | 8–12 weeks |
| Sunroom | $8,000–$60,000+ | 6–12 weeks |
For a new home, budget separately for site work on a raw lot: clearing ($5,000–$40,000), a driveway ($3,000–$25,000), a well ($8,000–$20,000) and septic ($8,000–$25,000) where there's no county water or sewer. Not sure which way to go? Compare the options in remodel, add on or build new.
How do payments work with a general contractor?
A sound contract sets a modest deposit to get on the schedule and order materials, then ties the remaining payments to finished milestones, such as foundation, framing and dry-in, rough-ins, drywall, and completion, with the final payment after the walkthrough. Be wary of anyone who asks for most of the money up front or wants cash with no written contract. Changes should be priced and agreed in writing before the work is done.
Permits and inspections in Gainesville and Hall County
Inside the City of Gainesville, permits come from the city; in unincorporated Hall County they come from Hall County's building department; and Flowery Branch, Oakwood and the other towns have their own offices. New homes and additions need plan review and inspections at footing, foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical and mechanical, insulation and final. Homes on septic may also need Health Department approval, and lake lots on Lake Lanier may need Corps of Engineers sign-off for shoreline work. Eric pulls every permit himself. See the building permits guide for typical fees and timing.
Where does EBD work as a general contractor?
EBD is based in Gainesville and builds and remodels across Hall County, including Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Chestnut Mountain, Buford and Braselton, Lake Lanier, and north Georgia towns like Murrayville, Clermont, Lula, Cleveland, Dahlonega, Demorest and Cornelia. For smaller projects like kitchens, baths and decks, see home remodeling in Gainesville.
Frequently asked questions
Who is a residential general contractor in Gainesville, GA?
EBD Construction LLC is a licensed and insured residential general contractor based in Gainesville, Georgia, owned by Eric Bubniak. EBD builds custom homes and room additions and handles kitchen, bath and whole-home remodels across Hall County and Lake Lanier, with the same three-person crew for over a decade. Eric pulls all permits himself. Free consultations: 404-925-7481.
What does a general contractor do?
A residential general contractor takes responsibility for the whole project: estimating, the contract, permits and inspections, scheduling and supervising carpenters and subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC and drywall, ordering materials, keeping the job safe and clean, and closing out the final inspection.
Do I need a licensed contractor in Georgia?
Yes for most projects. Georgia requires a residential or general contractor license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors for most residential construction work valued over $2,500. You can check any license on the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup.
How much does a general contractor charge?
Most residential general contractors include their overhead and profit in a fixed project price rather than billing it separately. Around Gainesville, typical project costs are about $15,000 to $90,000 for a single room addition, $30,000 to $160,000 for a primary suite addition, $40,000 to $250,000 for a full whole-home renovation, and $150 to $350 or more per square foot for a new custom home.
Should I hire a general contractor or the trades myself?
Hiring the trades yourself can save the contractor's margin on small, single-trade jobs, but you take on the permits, scheduling, inspections and the risk if one trade's work holds up another. For anything that touches structure or two or more trades, such as a kitchen, bathroom, addition or new home, a general contractor usually saves time and mistakes.
Does EBD Construction build new homes?
Yes. EBD builds custom homes on the owner's lot in Hall County and the surrounding counties, including lake homes on Lake Lanier, as well as room additions, second stories and garage, basement and bonus room conversions.
Who pulls the permit, the homeowner or the contractor?
The licensed contractor should pull the permit. If a contractor asks you to pull it as the owner, they may not be licensed, and you become responsible for the work passing inspection. Eric Bubniak pulls all of EBD's permits himself.
What areas does EBD Construction serve as a general contractor?
Gainesville and all of Hall County, plus Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Buford, Braselton, Lake Lanier and north Georgia towns including Clermont, Lula, Cleveland, Dahlonega, Demorest and Cornelia.
Planning an addition, a new home or a major remodel? Call 404-925-7481 or request a free consultation.
Get your free consultation
Tell us a little about your project. Eric will call you within one business day to talk it through and set up a time to see the space.