Disclaimer

What Mainstay Builders is

Mainstay Builders is a matching service. We connect U.S. homeowners with independent general contractors who may be a fit for projects like new home construction, room additions, structural repairs, major remodels, and other large residential jobs. Our goal is to help you start the search with contractors who say they are licensed, bonded, and insured for the type of work you need.

Our service is free to homeowners. We do not perform construction work, supervise job sites, control contractor schedules, set contractor prices, or make decisions for you. You choose whether to speak with a matched contractor, whether to request an estimate, and whether to hire anyone at all.

We also know many families want clear communication and respectful service. We aim to make the first step easier for homeowners from all backgrounds, including immigrant families and non-native English speakers. But the hiring decision is always yours, and each contractor is responsible for their own work, communication, contracts, licensing, insurance, and business practices.

What Mainstay Builders is not

Mainstay Builders is not a general contractor and does not hold itself out as a licensed building professional. We do not design structures, pull permits, inspect workmanship, provide engineering calculations, review code compliance, or give legal, tax, insurance, or safety advice. Information on our site is general information only.

A match through our service is not an endorsement, certification, warranty, or promise of quality. We do not guarantee that any contractor is the right fit for your project, that a contractor is available in your area, or that any project will be approved, financed, permitted, completed on time, or completed within budget. Contractors are independent businesses, not employees or agents of Mainstay Builders.

We may use the information you choose to share about your project to help connect you with contractors, but we do not make technical judgments about structural soundness, site conditions, hidden damage, zoning limits, or permit requirements. For those questions, always speak directly with properly licensed professionals in your state or city before signing a contract.

About licenses, bonding, and insurance

We strongly encourage every homeowner to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor and to verify those credentials before any money changes hands. Requirements vary by state and city. A license can show that a contractor has met certain local requirements. A bond may offer a limited form of financial protection in some situations. Insurance may help cover certain risks, but policies differ and exclusions apply.

Because rules vary so much, you should verify details yourself with the issuing agency and with the contractor. Ask for the full legal business name, license number, proof of general liability insurance, workers' compensation information if applicable, and bond information if required in your area. Make sure the license is current and covers the specific type of work you want done.

• Confirm the contractor's legal business name matches the license and insurance documents.
• Check that the license is active in your state or local jurisdiction and covers your project type.
• Ask for a certificate of insurance and verify coverage dates and limits with the insurer if needed.
• Ask whether subcontractors will be used and who is responsible for their licensing and insurance.
• Confirm who will pull permits and whether permit fees are included in the written estimate.
• Read the contract carefully before signing, including payment schedule, change orders, and warranty terms.

About cost ranges on our site

Any prices, budgets, or cost ranges shown by Mainstay Builders are broad national estimates, not quotes or guarantees. Real project cost depends on location, labor rates, engineering needs, permits, materials, finish level, demolition, site access, soil conditions, hidden damage, utility work, and many other factors. Two projects that sound similar can end up with very different final prices.

Online numbers can be useful for early planning, but they are not a substitute for a written estimate from a licensed contractor who has reviewed your specific property and scope of work. If your project involves structural changes, foundation work, additions, or a new build, final cost may also depend on plans, local code requirements, and inspection outcomes.

These figures are examples of broad U.S. ranges only. They are not quotes, not offers, and not guarantees of what you will pay. The only way to understand your likely cost is to compare written estimates from licensed, bonded, and insured contractors and ask detailed questions about what is and is not included.

Verify everything before you sign

Before hiring any contractor, slow down and review the paperwork. Get the scope of work in writing. Make sure the contract lists materials, allowances, start and completion expectations, payment schedule, permit responsibility, change-order process, cleanup, and warranty terms. If something matters to you, it should appear in writing.

Do not rely on verbal promises alone. A lower bid is not always a better bid, and a high bid is not always better either. Compare details line by line. Ask what could increase the price later. Ask who will be on site each day. Ask what happens if there is a delay, failed inspection, or hidden condition behind walls or under the foundation.

If you are unsure about contract terms, payment language, lien releases, insurance wording, or permit responsibility, pause and get advice from a qualified local professional before signing. Mainstay Builders cannot interpret contracts, settle disputes, or guarantee a result. Our role is to help you get connected so you can evaluate your options and choose your own licensed pro.

Privacy, information you share, and your choices

When you use Mainstay Builders, you choose what project details to share so we can try to match you with contractors. Please do not send sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport details, bank account numbers, or immigration status. We do not need that information to help start a contractor match.

You can also tell us practical things that may help communication, such as your preferred language or best time to be contacted. That can make the matching process easier for your household. Still, you should only continue with a contractor if you feel comfortable with their communication, paperwork, pricing, and credentials after doing your own review.