General contractors and builders in Watertown & Jefferson County, NY

Where they are: Watertown (146), Clayton (31), Carthage (21), Adams (19), Theresa (17), Dexter (17), Adams Center (14), Alexandria Bay (11). By business address.

Before you hire

• New York does not license this trade statewide, so there is no state licence to look up; some cities and towns set their own rules.
• The state's Contractor Registry covers firms bidding on public work; a listing there is shown on the business's page when we find one.
• Get two or three written estimates for anything beyond a small repair, and compare what each includes.
• Ask for a certificate of insurance. Any New York business with employees must carry workers' compensation, and general liability protects you if something goes wrong on your property.
• Ask whether the job needs a building permit and who pulls it; your town or city building office can confirm.
• Keep payments tied to progress rather than paying most of the price up front.

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