The Best General Contractors in New Jersey

Last updated on October 9th, 2024 at 06:11 pm

Selecting the right general contractor in NJ can make or break your construction project. As the state’s housing market experiences a surge in activity, the importance of hiring a contractor who genuinely cares about the successful completion of your project cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a renovation or a real estate investor aiming to capitalize on New Jersey’s thriving building scene, understanding the critical role of general contractors is essential. With new builds and renovations on the rise, especially along the coastline, having a seasoned guide as an experienced general contractor is invaluable.

New Jersey, with a population of 9.262 million and a median home value of $441,000, is a hotbed of construction activity. The average project cost ranges from $100,000 to $400,000, with some projects reaching as high as $500,000. It also has 98 contractors for such projects in New Jersey, based on permit data pulled from the building department in New Jersey. At an average cost of $69.09 per square foot, these projects typically take about nine months to complete. Given these significant investments of time and money, choosing a skilled and reliable general contractor is crucial to ensure your project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

In this article, we will introduce you to the top 15 general contractors in New Jersey. These professionals have been selected for their dedication, expertise, and proven track record in delivering outstanding results. Whether you’re embarking on a modest home renovation or a large-scale construction project, these contractors stand out for their ability to navigate the complexities of the construction process and bring your vision to life. Choosing the right general contractor ensures a smooth, successful construction experience and a final product that meets your expectations.

Overview: The Best General Contractors in New Jersey

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

SEI Construction

110 Myrtle Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090

For more than 30 years, SEI Construction has offered its services in Westfield, NJ, and the surrounding communities. Established by Mike Rizzo, SEI Construction is a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) member and has been acknowledged by Remodeling Magazine as one of the Top 50 America’s Top Remodelers. A testament to this recognition is the company’s historical remodels, which are featured in A Tour of Notable Homes – an event that reflects Westerfield’s rich architectural history by showcasing some of the best new homes and historic home restorations. Holding an accreditation from BBB, the studio is a renowned pick among the many general contractors in New Jersey.

The firm uses the BuildClean Dust Control system and is EPA-certified to ensure lead-safe construction. A step up from the usual dust barriers, fans, and vacuums, this dust control system keeps 90% of the airborne dust from spreading through the house. 

A&E Construction

2479 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ 08534

A&E Construction endeavors for timeliness and efficiency, focusing solely on work within a 30-mile radius of its primary office in Pennington, NJ. A&E Construction is affiliated with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Pennington Business & Professional Association. 

A&E’s 25 years of experience and strong work ethic have led to multiple awards, including Contractor of the Year for residential interior, basement renovation, and residential baths. An example of the company’s work is a Pennington kitchen remodel. Combining elegance and functionality, this remodel blended quartz countertop and finished hardwood flooring with stainless steel appliances and a large at-in island with seating. As a functional room, the counter design was designed with hidden outlets for easy laptop charging or appliance usage.

In addition to its award-winning work, the firm supports local organizations such as Friends of the Pennington Library and the Hopewell Valley Baseball Softball Association.

JMC Home Improvement Specialists  

12 Ludlow Road, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

Since its founding, JMC Home Improvement Specialists has completed thousands of projects. For 40 years, the company has recruited only the best who share its vision for quality work. 

In addition to the company’s service, it is also a member of the NKBA and NARI. JMC is Energy Star Certified and was given a Building Analyst Professional Certification by the Building Performance Institute. The firm was also awarded two National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Contractor of the Year awards, Remodeling Magazine’s Remodeling Design award, and is one of the firms in Remodeling Magazine’s Remodeling 550. The firm is also known for its family and pet-friendly projects- its homes are built for families, always putting safety first.

Baxter Construction 

31 West Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525

Jim Baxter founded Baxter Construction. With a large team and 800 years of collective experience in different project types, Baxter has received multiple awards. 

A member of NARI, the NAHB, and the US Green Building Council, in 2018, the firm won the Chrysalis Award for a residential interior remodel and an outdoor living project. In 2017, the firm became one of the firms in Remodeling 550, and 2012, Remodeling Magazine gave the company a Big 50 award. The firm also received the 2009 Princeton Historic Preservation Award. Baxter Construction is also active in its community, contributing to Morven in May- a juried exhibition and sale featuring the work of 36 contemporary craft artists from all over the country- and the Historical Society of Princeton’s Concert Under the Stars. 

Houghton Contracting

295 Whitehead Road, Hamilton NJ, 08619

Many companies start with the ambition of immediately becoming the largest in the industry. Houghton Contracting, however, wasn’t born from those ideals. Houghton Contracting was created by Gary Houghton’s desire for the firm to have the best customer service and building quality. 

To date, the company has completed more than 200 remodeling projects. Among the thousands of general contractors in New Jersey, the company was given four Contractor of the Year awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for innovation and excellence in remodeling in New Jersey. Two of these awards were given in 2015; one for a ‘residential bath priced between $50,001 and $75,000’, and the other for a ‘residential kitchen priced between $60,001 and $100,000’. The kitchen remodel, in particular, was undertaken to make the old kitchen more functional and spacious. Houghton Contracting is a NARI and The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) member. 

Showcase Kitchen & Bath 

438 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Originally named Construction Service Company, Showcase Kitchen & Bath grew into today’s firm, led by founder Donald Distasio Sr. and three generations of builders. A preferred general contractor in NJ, the firm has received many local and national awards, including being ranked as one of the top 500 remodeling companies in Qualified Remodeler Magazine for the past 17 years and receiving the Suburban Essex Magazine’s Best of Essex Award for seven years. 

During its 80 years of experience, the firm has built a parade of beautiful remodels, and one of its most striking was a project in Essex Fells. This project included a kitchen remodel highlighted by all-white paint and decor- a sleek and sophisticated example of Showcase Kitchen and Bath’s work.

Jack Finn and Company 

Suite 2, Brassworks on Grove, 105 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042 

For decades, Jack Finn and Company has been locally known as a residential renovator and custom home builder, making homes that exhibit elegant results. In addition to being beautiful, these projects are certified by the EPA as lead-safe.

Though the company is known as a residential renovator, it began expanding its services to commercial renovation projects in 2006. These commercial projects include LEED gold commercial buildings in Montclair, Greenworks, and Academy Square – the former Kimberley School/Gibbs Secretarial College- and were mentioned in The New York Times. 

Ulrich, Inc. 

100 Chestnut St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Ulrich, Inc. has served the Northern New Jersey and New York metro areas for over 65 years, offering kitchen, bath, and custom home remodeling. During this time, 27 publications, including 201 Homes and Design NJ, have recognized Ulrich. In addition to its magazine exposure, Ulrich has received several awards from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). 

In 2018, it won the Best Bathroom Award in Wood-Mode’s National Design Contest, and in 2011, it received the top award in NKBA’s Design Competition. The firm is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the Builders Association of Northern New Jersey (BANNJ), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The EPA also certified it as lead-safe.

Kraftmaster Renovations  

76 Main Street, Chatham, NJ, 07928

Founded by Bob Gockeler, Kraftmaster Renovations is known for its unique designs—the result of over 20 years of experience that gave Gockeler insight into how spaces can be transformed. Kraftmaster has been recognized by Qualified Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 Awards and Big 550 Awards, while Qualified Remodeler Magazine named it one of the Top 500 firms. 

In addition, Kraftmaster won the 2015 Contractor of The Year award for a residential bath. In addition to this recognition, Krafmaster Renovations is also a member of NARI and NKBA and does home improvement and remodeling projects. Among the best general contractors in NJ, it was also featured in an article from New Jersey Monthly Magazine.  

Amiano & Son 

1633 Rt. 206 Tabernacle, NJ, US 08088

Amiano & Son’s founder, Lou Amiano, Sr., had the simple dream of helping homeowners realize their remodeling dreams. 41 years later, Amiano, Sr. passed the company to his son Lou Jr., who’s lifetime of industry knowledge has kept one of the country’s largest home remodeling companies afloat. 

Nationally recognized as an award-winning firm, Amiano & Son sees every day as a chance to showcase its artisan talents in design and construction. This approach has helped them complete several award-winning projects. In 2017, the company won the Regional Contractor of the Year award and was ranked #39 in the Top 500. 

Main Street Custom Homes 

109 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 07876

Main Street Custom Homes was first developed as a father and son team by Daniel and Donald Dryness and focused on real estate development, transforming tracks of vacant land into residential neighborhoods and multi-family communities throughout New Jersey’s northwestern region. 

Since then, Main Street Custom Homes has received numerous industry awards. Recently, the company received the Award of Excellence from the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of NJ for its Keller Residence remodeling project. In 2015, the company’s kitchen remodeling project for The Neal Residence was also given the Award of Excellence. 

With a combined 70 years of experience, Main Street Custom Homes has cultivated strong relationships with selected trade contractors, industry professionals, and product suppliers – some of which have lasted for two and three generations. Thanks to the combination of their experience and connections, this firm is known as one of the most respected builders in the area, and it has a proven track record of designing and building beautiful homes within the Morris, Somerset, Warren, and Sussex counties.

Monmouth Custom Builders 

259 Monmouth Road, Deal, NJ 07723

Monmouth Custom Builder has a high standard for construction, scheduling, and project management expertise. Founded by Ike Levy, the company has become one of the country’s leading remodelers. Working at a pace that continues to rise, the firm has been repeatedly recognized by industry publications for its examples of the finest design, construction, and craftsmanship. 

Among the top general contractors in New Jersey, the company was featured in an article from House Beautiful. Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 issue also recognized Monmouth as the #1 firm in the Business Savvy category. Monmouth has also received several awards as a testament to their work quality, including a Qualified Remodeler Top 500 ranking from 2007 to 2013. In 2010 and 2012, the company gained a Chrysalis Award for its remodeling project in Allenhurst. A whole house remodel priced over $1 million, the home was judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree of the structure’s enhancement.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the general contractors in the New Jersey area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.