Listen to Wulf202. Spot on.

There are some alternative paths. You could check with your city and pull a permit yourself. Then you are the GC and you hire the individual contractors yourself. That saves you the profit of a GC and paying retail for the materials. There are some risks, but if you get good tradesmen, it won't be too tough and you can save 20-40%. I have done a few and I pay for drywall and electrical and do the rest myself. My Dad just did his and the building inspectors were pretty decent for him. He hired a few tradesmen here and there, but did most of it himself.