Best Contractors in Savannah: Top-Rated General Contractors & Builders
By Best of Savannah
Finding the best contractors in Savannah isn't just about picking a name from Google. Whether you're renovating a Victorian townhouse in the Historic District or building new in the Islands, the right contractor makes the difference between a dream project and a nightmare.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways:
- Historic District renovations require specialized expertise and Historic Review Board approval
- General contractors handle full-scale remodels; historic specialists understand period materials and codes
- Expect to pay premium rates for quality work in Savannah's demanding climate and regulatory environment
- Always verify Georgia contractor licensing, insurance, and local references
- The best contractors book months in advance — start your search early
What Makes a Great Savannah Contractor?
Savannah isn't your average construction market. We've got coastal humidity that rots lumber, historic building codes that require special permits, and a housing stock that ranges from 1700s mansions to brand-new custom builds. The contractors who thrive here understand these challenges.
A great Savannah contractor brings:
- Local expertise — They know which materials hold up to coastal weather and which don't
- Regulatory knowledge — Historic District work requires navigating the Historic Review Board
- Established relationships — With local suppliers, subcontractors, and inspectors
- Portfolio proof — Photos of completed Savannah projects similar to yours
- Transparent communication — Clear timelines, change order processes, and budget expectations
Pro tip: Ask to see completed projects in neighborhoods similar to yours. A contractor who excels at suburban new builds may struggle with a 150-year-old brick townhouse downtown.
Why Savannah's Historic District Changes Everything
If your property sits within the Historic District boundaries, you're playing a different game. The Historic Review Board must approve exterior changes — sometimes down to paint colors and window materials. This means your contractor needs experience with:
- Navigating the HRB approval process
- Sourcing period-appropriate materials
- Understanding what can and cannot be modified on historic structures
- Working with structural engineers who specialize in old buildings
Not every general contractor in Savannah has this expertise. You need specialists who've done it before and know the unwritten rules.
Our guide to hiring a historic home restoration contractor in Savannah walks through MPC review, Georgia's rehab tax incentives and the questions to ask before you sign.
Who Are the Best Contractors in Savannah?
We list contractors whose contact details we could confirm from their own websites or public profiles. Ratings and availability change, so check current reviews and a Georgia license before you hire anyone.
Design-Build and General Contracting
RE Manley Construction is a design-build and general contracting firm based in Richmond Hill. It works along the coast from Brunswick to Hilton Head, on residential and commercial jobs. Its listed services run from new construction and remodels to home restoration and historic building conservation. If you're restoring an older home, ask for references on projects like yours.
Coastal Constructive Innovations is a general contractor on White Bluff Road that does commercial construction alongside residential work. Its residential services cover custom homes, remodeling, kitchens, bathroom remodels and whole-home renovation.
Kitchen, Bath and Home Remodeling
For a kitchen, bath or room addition rather than a new build, a remodeling-focused contractor is often the better fit.
Alvin L. Davis, Inc. is a family remodeling company that Alvin L. Davis started in 1958, and his son Andy runs it today. It handles kitchens and baths, room additions and home repairs, plus insurance work for fire and water damage.
Tardio Home Improvements does kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and full-home renovations, and it also works with investors on faster-turn projects. It serves Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon, Tybee and Wilmington Island, among other nearby areas.
Historic Woodwork and Restoration
When you're working with a 19th-century property, period details matter as much as the structure. Matching original trim and doors is often what the Historic Review Board looks at first.
Savannah Millwork runs a showroom on Gregory Street for custom doors, windows, cabinetry, and trim and molding. It uses a five-axis CNC router to replicate existing trim, molding and rosettes in wood. That's useful when you need to match a damaged or missing piece on a historic home.
Luxury Custom Home Builders
Building a custom home in Savannah requires a different skill set than renovations. These builders focus on high-end new construction.
Tony Reardon Construction has built luxury custom homes in gated communities in and around Savannah for more than 30 years. Its office is on Commercial Drive on the Southside.
Transcend Custom Homes is based on West 40th Street in Savannah. Its homes are in Savannah, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Palmetto Bluff and across the Lowcountry.
Browse the full Savannah contractors directory for more options by specialty.
How Much Do Contractors Cost in Savannah?
Prices swing widely with the size of the job, the finishes you pick, and whether the house is in the Historic District. A few things push Savannah costs up:
- Historic District review: exterior changes need approval, which adds design time and can require specific materials
- Coastal conditions: humidity, salt air and storm exposure call for materials that cost more but last longer
- Older buildings: opening walls in a 100-year-old house often turns up rot, outdated wiring or plumbing that has to be fixed
- Custom work: replicated trim, custom doors and period windows cost more than stock parts
Get at least three detailed, written quotes for the same scope before committing. The lowest bid isn't always the best value. Compare what each one includes, not just the total.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
Don't sign anything until you've asked these questions:
- Are you licensed and insured in Georgia? Verify their contractor's license and liability insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong.
- Can I see completed projects similar to mine? Photos are nice. Site visits to finished projects are better.
- Who will be on-site daily? Will the owner be there, or will you work with a project manager? Meet the person you'll actually see every day.
- What's your payment schedule? Never pay the full amount upfront. Standard practice is a deposit, progress payments tied to milestones, and final payment upon completion.
- How do you handle change orders? Projects evolve. Make sure you understand how changes will be priced and documented.
- What's your warranty policy? What happens if something goes wrong six months after completion?
- Can you provide local references? Talk to past Savannah clients about their experience.
Red flag: If a contractor pressures you to sign immediately or wants a large upfront payment, walk away. Quality contractors don't need high-pressure sales tactics.
Final Thoughts: Choose Experience Over Price
The cheapest contractor bid will cost you more in the long run. Between the coastal humidity, historic preservation requirements, and Savannah's unique building stock, this isn't the market for learning on the job. Invest in experienced contractors in Savannah who've proven they can deliver quality work on time and on budget.
Start your search months before you need the work done. The best contractors book far in advance, especially during peak construction season. And remember: in Savannah, relationships matter. A contractor who does excellent work on your kitchen today becomes your trusted partner for every project that follows.
Budgeting for a bigger project? Our roof replacement cost guide and HVAC replacement cost guide break down what those two big-ticket jobs typically run in Savannah.
Need other home services in Savannah? Check out our guides to the best roofers, HVAC contractors, plumbers, and electricians in the Hostess City. We've done the research so you don't have to.
