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Start a construction company

Start your construction company.Get licensed, bonded and insured.

Our office forms your company in any state, runs payroll, keeps job costs in QuickBooks Online and files your taxes, and our agency quotes the liability, workers compensation and bonds contractors need.

Start my construction companyGet an insurance quote

Reviewed by Orkun Ozkaymak, CPA, MBAClients in all 50 states and abroad

$500company setup, EIN included
50 + DCstates we form companies in
1 officeformation, taxes and insurance
2011preparing taxes since
Step by step

How to start a construction company

  1. 1

    Form your company and get an EIN

    Our office forms your LLC or corporation in the state where you form and gets your EIN, so contracts, permits and insurance are in the company name.

  2. 2

    Get your contractor and trade licenses

    Many states license general contractors, and most license trades such as plumbing, electrical and roofing. Many cities and counties add their own contractor registration. Apply before you bid.

  3. 3

    Bind insurance and bonds

    Our agency quotes general liability, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and workers compensation, which most states require once you have employees. It also writes license and performance bonds.

  4. 4

    Set up payroll and local licenses

    Get the business license your city requires. Our office runs payroll, including certified payroll for public jobs, and files your payroll tax returns.

  5. 5

    Track job costs and taxes

    Our office sets up QuickBooks Online by job, tracks subcontractor 1099s, makes your quarterly estimates and files your federal and state income tax returns.

Filings and prices

What our office files for you.Prices shown before you send.

Pick what you need on the request form. Ozfield's fees are shown here; government fees are passed through at cost.

  • City of Chicago business license IllinoisThe city fee is $500 or $1,000 for 2 years depending on the license type, paid to the city.
    $179
  • Payroll and state unemployment setupPayroll accounts, state unemployment registration and your first payroll.
    Quoted by our office
Company setup is $500 plus the state fee, EIN included.
The request form adds your filings and shows the full estimate as you go.
Build my estimate
Insurance from the same office

Coverage in place on day one.Quoted by our agency.

Check the coverage you want on the request form and our insurance team sends quotes from multiple carriers. Nothing is bound without your OK.

Start my construction companyGet a quote only
  • General liability
  • Workers' compensation
  • Commercial auto
  • Contractor license bond
  • Tools and equipment
After you open

The filings that come every year.

Our office keeps these on your calendar so nothing is missed. How we work with contractors →

1099-NEC for subcontractors

January 31. Filed with the IRS and sent to each sub.

Form 941 and state payroll

Quarterly. Withholding and unemployment for crews.

Certified payroll

Each public job. Prevailing wage payroll records where required.

Premium audit

After policy year. Payroll and sub records for workers comp and liability.

Questions

What new owners ask us.

Something else on your mind? Call 773-536-9272 and our office will help, in English or Turkish.

Do I need a general contractor license?
It depends on the state. Some states license general contractors statewide, often with an exam and a bond, while others leave it to cities and counties. Most states license trades such as plumbing and electrical. Check your state licensing board and each town where you work. Our agency writes the license bonds many boards require.
Do contractors charge sales tax?
It depends on the state. Many states treat construction contractors as the end users of materials they install in real property, so you pay tax when you buy materials and do not charge it to the customer. Other states tax certain contracting services. Check your state's rules before you write your first invoice.
Do I need workers compensation if I use subcontractors?
Most states require workers compensation for employees, and an uninsured subcontractor can make you responsible for its workers. Collect certificates of insurance from every subcontractor before they start. Our agency quotes your policy and our office tracks subcontractor 1099s and certificates.
What is prevailing wage and certified payroll?
Federal construction contracts covered by the Davis-Bacon Act, and public works jobs under many state laws, require contractors to pay set wage rates for each trade and area and to submit certified payroll records. Errors can lead to penalties or delayed payments. Our office runs payroll at the correct rates and prepares certified payroll reports.

Ready to start your construction company?

Answer a few questions, see your estimate and send it to our office.

Start my construction company773-536-9272