Building Homework

With a strong interest in building I would like to know of a local builders association of sorts to contact for building costs and resources. I would be interested in local contractor to provide estimates for office building as well as villa construction. I have been following the board for some time and have gathered that one should take an estimate and then double and even perhaps triple it for expense as well as time.
In addition .... how well received would an experienced stateside builder be to the local builders guild. Say in a job share situation. I am under the impression that local builders often over see a majority of construction and if this is the case......are they willing to work with state side builders?
I feel like I need to get a feel for the "reality issues" as well as the monitary figures.