Owner Builders manage their own home building (or remodeling) projects without the use of a General Contractor. They may or may not be true DIY owner builders (providing some or all of their own labor), but they are involved from the get-go. Do you need to hire a licensed General Contractor to be an Owner Builder? In North America and a lot of other parts of the world, no, you do NOT need to hire a licensed General Contractor / Builder. And, you do not need to be a licensed builder yourself. You may, in some cases, need a special permit. Be advised, however, that you need to get the right professional assistance, prepare early and thoroughly, and have a system that gives you step-by-step processes to keep you on track. Personally, I advise all owner builders to hire a Home Building Coach to provide this process and guide them along the way.