Be Your Own GC

Run Your Own
Crew. Own
Your Project.

You do not need a general contractor to manage your project. With a professional plan from DIY Lion, you can hire your own licensed subs, sequence the trades, pull your own permits, and save 25–40% on any home improvement project.

Start as My Own GC → DIY Track Instead
✓No GC license required in Texas
✓Save 25–40% on any project
✓Plan delivered in 24–72 hours
Homeowner reviewing construction plans
Bathroom Remodel — Pearland, TX
With GC
$18,400
Your way
$8,000
You save $10,400
✅
Pro Plan Delivered
48 hours
📋
Your GC plan includes scope documents, sub bid templates, permit guides, trade sequencing, and a sub contractor agreement — everything a real GC uses.
⚖️
Legal in Texas. Homeowners can act as their own GC for their primary residence without a license.
The GC Track Process

How You Become
Your Own GC

Six steps from "I have a project" to "My crew finished it on budget" — with a licensed professional guiding every decision.

01
📋
Submit Your Project
Describe the project, set your budget, choose the GC Track. Takes under 5 minutes.
02
🔍
Get Matched
We match you to a licensed pro who specializes in your project type and knows your local codes.
03
📐
Receive Your GC Plan
Your pro delivers a complete GC-grade plan: scope, trade sequence, permit guide, sub bid templates.
04
📞
Hire Your Subs
Use your plan to interview and hire licensed subcontractors directly. No middleman. No markup.
05
🏗️
Manage the Project
Sequence your trades, manage the timeline, and approve work at each milestone — you are the GC.
06
🏆
Complete & Save
Project complete. You kept the GC markup — typically $10,000–$30,000 on a mid-size project.
Your GC Plan Includes

Everything a Real GC Uses

Your DIY Lion GC plan is built by a licensed professional and contains every document you need to manage your project like a pro.

📄
Project Scope Document
Full written scope of work broken down by trade — exactly what each sub is responsible for.
✓ Included
📊
Trade Sequencing Schedule
Day-by-day schedule showing what order to bring each trade in and how long each phase takes.
✓ Included
💰
Sub Bid Request Templates
Ready-to-send bid request forms for each trade — electrician, plumber, tile, drywall, and more.
✓ Included
🏛️
County Permit Guide
County-specific permit guide for Harris, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties with step-by-step instructions.
✓ Included
📝
Sub Contractor Agreement
Attorney-reviewed agreement template protecting you as the owner-GC from liability and disputes.
✓ Included
✅
License Verification Checklist
Direct links to Texas licensing boards plus a checklist for verifying each sub before hiring.
✓ Included
Real Numbers

What You Actually Save

General contractors typically mark up labor and materials by 15–25% and charge a management fee on top. Here is what that looks like on common Houston-area projects.

Project With a GC Be Your Own GC You Save
Full Bathroom Remodel$15,000–$25,000$5,000–$9,000$10,000–$16,000
Kitchen Renovation$25,000–$50,000$12,000–$22,000$13,000–$28,000
Deck Build (400 sq ft)$18,000–$28,000$8,000–$12,000$10,000–$16,000
Basement Finish$30,000–$55,000$14,000–$24,000$16,000–$31,000
Home Addition (500 sq ft)$80,000–$150,000$50,000–$90,000$30,000–$60,000
DIY Lion GC Plan Cost—$50–$500One-time fee
Two Ways to Use DIY Lion

Pick Your Path

Whether you want to swing the hammer yourself or manage a crew of licensed subs — DIY Lion has a track built for you.

Be Your Own GC Track
Manage Your Own Crew
Get a plan, hire licensed subcontractors directly, and manage the project yourself. Cut out the general contractor markup entirely while keeping professional quality.
💰 Save 25–40% vs hiring a GC
Start My GC Plan →
DIY Track
Do It Yourself
Get a professional plan and execute the work yourself. Perfect for skilled homeowners who want expert guidance without paying a contractor to do the work.
💰 Save up to 80% vs hiring a GC
Start DIY Track →
Common Questions

FAQ — Be Your Own GC

Do I need a contractor's license to be my own GC? ⌄
In Texas, homeowners can act as their own general contractor for their primary residence without a license. You can legally hire licensed subs, pull permits in your name, and manage the project yourself — as long as it is your primary home.
How do I verify a subcontractor's license? ⌄
In Texas, verify electricians at tdlr.texas.gov, plumbers at tsbpe.texas.gov, and HVAC techs at tdlr.texas.gov. Your GC plan includes direct links to each verification site and a checklist for what to confirm before signing any agreement.
What if a sub does bad work — am I liable? ⌄
As the owner-GC you are responsible for the project. This is why verifying licenses and insurance is critical before hiring any sub. Your plan includes a subcontractor agreement template that protects you legally by defining scope, payment terms, and warranty obligations.
What projects are best for the Own GC track? ⌄
Any project involving multiple trades is ideal — bathroom remodels, kitchen renovations, additions, basement finishes, and deck builds. Single-trade projects like interior painting or flooring are usually better suited for the DIY Track.
How do I pull permits as the homeowner GC? ⌄
In most Texas counties homeowners can pull permits directly at their local building department or online. Your GC plan includes a county-specific permit guide for Harris County, Brazoria County, and Fort Bend County with step-by-step instructions.
Is DIY Lion responsible for my subs' work? ⌄
No. DIY Lion provides the professional plan and guidance. All agreements, payments, and work arrangements with subcontractors are directly between you and the subs you hire. DIY Lion is not a contractor and does not manage or supervise field work.
Your Project. Your Control.

The Plan Is Everything

A DIY Lion GC plan gives you exactly what a general contractor uses to coordinate a project — trade sequence, materials list, permit package, and sub-contractor checklist. The difference is you own it.

📋
Trade Sequence Plan
Exact order of trades — demo, rough-in, inspection, finish — no guessing.
🏛️
Permit Package
Jurisdiction-specific permit checklist for Houston, Harris County, Brazoria County.
🔧
Sub-Contractor Checklist
Know exactly who to hire, what to ask, and what each trade is responsible for.
Reviewing construction plans
Electrical work
Tile work

Ready to Run
Your Own Project?

Get a professional GC-grade plan from a licensed trade expert — delivered in 24–72 hours. You stay in control. You keep the savings.

Get My GC Plan → DIY Track Instead

Free to post · No commitment until you accept a proposal · Full refund if not approved