Home project guides for the Triangle

Plain guides to hiring the trades in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill: what the work costs, which North Carolina license it needs, when your town wants a permit, and what to ask before you sign. Every rule and price links to the page it came from.

Structure and foundation

Crawl space encapsulation: Sealing a crawl space: NC code rules, the state's permit position, which licenses apply, guide costs and how to judge a pitch. Town guides: Durham.
Foundation repair: Repair costs by method, why an engineer must diagnose, permits for load-bearing work, and the Triangle's swelling clay. Town guides: Raleigh.

Systems

Electrical work: Panel upgrade, EV charger and rewiring costs, NC electrical license classes, town permits and fees, and Duke Energy meter rules.
Heating and air conditioning: Replacing or repairing a furnace, AC or heat pump: costs, the state license, town permit fees, sizing rules and rebates.
Plumbing: Plumber costs, NC license classes, permits and fees by town, who owns which water and sewer pipe, and water heater rules.
Septic systems: Septic pumping, repair and new-system costs, who NC lets install and inspect, and county permits in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham.

Roof and outside

Concrete driveways and patios: Driveway and patio costs, when a license is required, town driveway and patio permits, and how good concrete flatwork is built.
Deck building: Deck costs, when NC requires a license, the state deck code, town permit rules and what to ask a deck builder before you sign. Town guides: Cary.
Garage doors: Garage door and opener costs, the state wind rule for garage doors, when a permit or electrician is needed, and opener safety rules.
Gutters and gutter guards: Gutter, guard and cleaning costs, who NC licenses for gutter work, and the code rules on where roof water has to go.
Roofing: Roof replacement and repair costs, when a license is required, town permit rules, wind-rated shingles and NC's storm roofer law.
Siding: Siding replacement costs by material, NC's permit carve-out for re-siding, the code's water barrier and flashing rules, and lead-safe work.
Window replacement: Window replacement costs, NC's permit carve-out, energy code ratings, lead-safe rules for pre-1978 homes and the end of the tax credit.

Yard, trees and pests

In-ground pools: In-ground pool costs, the state barrier and gate rules, who may build and wire a pool, and town permits and inspections.
Pest control and termites: Termite and pest control costs, NC license phases, termite contract and WDIR-100 rules, and local pests from fire ants to ticks.
Tree removal: What tree removal costs, NC insurance and license rules, town permits, storm claims, neighbors' trees and how to hire. Town guides: Durham.

Checking any contractor in North Carolina

A North Carolina general contractor license is required when a job costs $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1). Plumbing and heating contractors (G.S. 87, Art. 2) and electrical contractors (G.S. 87, Art. 4) have state licensing boards of their own. Each guide says which applies.
Get at least three written estimates (NC Attorney General).
Ask to see the contractor's insurance policy, then call the insurance company to confirm the coverage (NC Attorney General).
Do not pay large amounts in advance (NC Attorney General), and never the full amount up front (FTC).
The licensing board cannot make a contractor fix work or refund money (NC contractor board), so a clear written contract matters.

Sources

N.C. Gen. Stat. 87-1, General contractor defined, North Carolina General Assembly. Checked October 19, 2026.
Plumbing and Heating Contractors, G.S. 87-16 onward, North Carolina General Assembly. Checked October 22, 2026.
Electrical Contractors, G.S. 87-39 onward, North Carolina General Assembly. Checked October 22, 2026.
Home Improvement, North Carolina Department of Justice. Checked October 19, 2026.
How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, July 2022, Federal Trade Commission. Checked October 19, 2026.
Consumer FAQ, NC Licensing Board for General Contractors. Checked October 19, 2026.