12 Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring

Not only are home renovations a big investment of your time and money - the process can be difficult and stressful to navigate, especially finding the right people. And having the right team on your side can make all the difference! 

Before signing a contract, ask potential contractors these essential questions to ensure you find the best fit for you and your project. 

1.) Are you licensed and insured?

This is a MAJOR factor and number one for reason. If anything goes wrong in your project and you’re working with an unlicensed and uninsured general contractor, you as the homeowner could be responsible for any missteps or damage. 

Many contractors are surprisingly not licensed or insured, so with the investment you’re making in your home, it’s vital to know a contractor’s qualifications. They should have general liability insurance in the event of an accident (like hitting a water line) and workers’ compensation to cover any worker who gets hurt on the job.

2.) Do you provide detailed estimates and contracts?

A contract protects both homeowner and contractor by outlining the scope of the project, anticipated timeline, payment details, change order process, and much more. 

Hot tip: It’s helpful to get an itemized list of work and associated costs rather than a lump sum so there isn’t any room for misunderstanding.

3.) Will you take care of the required building permits?

A reputable general contractor will not only know which permits are needed and how to get them but will also pull them for you.

Word to the wise: Aim to be present for the inspections, if possible. You’ll be able to hear the inspector’s feedback and discover if any alterations are required. 

4.) How do you communicate with clients and best form of communication?

Regardless of the size and scope of your project, you should have a designated point of contact. This person should put a plan in place for daily or weekly updates as well as be available for questions or concerns that arise throughout the project. It is ideal to determine the preferred method of communication before the project gets underway. 

5.) What steps will you take to protect my property?

Construction is messy. It is impossible to avoid dust but there are ways to minimize the impact, especially into other parts of your home. Will they put tarps over nearby furniture or cover finished floors? Will they seal off vents and cover doorways of the renovation area to keep dust and debris as contained as possible? 

6.) What does the daily site management look like?

Most general contractors are not slinging hammers or mudding drywall, and they’re not likely to be on site all the time. With this in mind, ask them how often they’ll stop by to check in. If they won’t be checking in daily, who is the on-site project manager? The project timeline is more likely to stay on schedule when there is a person on-site tracking every phase. 

7.) What is the working day like for your crew?

Both homeowners and contractors should know what to expect on construction days: working hours and days, who will be home during construction (including pets), how will the crew access your home if you’re not there, the parking and restroom situation, how and where materials/tools will be stored throughout the project, etc. 

A quality contractor will also have an end of day process for some sort of clean-up. Determine if this is something they do and get an understanding of what “clean” means to them. Be sure you approve of their process before hiring. 

8.) Their timeline for completion & payment schedule.

Its best to have an idea of when the contractor can start and end your project and make sure the timeline is realistic. If the schedule sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Don’t forget to discuss payment terms. You should never pay in cash or the entire amount up front. A deposit usually kicks off the project with additional payments due upon particular milestones. This information should be listed in the contract so there aren’t any surprises of expectations for either party. 

Hot tip: Renovations often take longer than planned. It doesn’t hurt to ask about the contractor’s future commitments. You don’t want a disappearing act before your project is completed. ;)

9.) How many concurrent projects do you run and how do you schedule them?

Majority of contractors will run multiple projects simultaneously. While some excel in managing workloads, crews, and timelines efficiently, others take on too many projects at once, knowing full well it will cause delays.

The latter tend to accept every project available, even if their schedule doesn’t allow for it. They become stretched too thin, rotating workers between projects resulting in sporadic progress at each site. This leads to days or even weeks where no work is being done on your project.

Minor changes or delays are inevitable. People get sick, a project ran longer than anticipated, unexpected material issues, etc. While occasional disruptions are normal, if these gaps in work become a recurring pattern, buckle in because your project will take longer than originally estimated.

10.) How will unexpected issues and additional charges be dealt with?

It’s not uncommon to find issues during the renovation that weren’t planned for.  They’re often hidden behind walls and floors which just can’t be found until work is started. Whether its unexpected problems or changes you’ve requested, it’s crucial your contractor won’t spend a penny over the agreed-upon budget without first getting your approval on costs. This information should also appear in your contract.  

11.) Tell me about your after-service support and what kind of warranty you have.

A construction project doesn’t usually end when the crew wraps up. There are likely things not completely finished or items that need to be resolved, so make sure there is a process for doing so. In addition, most contractors offer a guarantee on their work. It’s important to know what is covered and for how long. 

12.) Can you provide a list of references?  

A credible general contractor will have no problem providing references. Ask former clients about the process including budgeting, timeliness, and professionalism as well as the final product. If you can also talk to their vendors and sub-contractors, you’ll be able to get an even clearer picture of their work style. 

Hot tip: Reach out to 3 different potential contractors to discuss your project before making a hire.

All set! You now have all the tools to make an insightful decision. I’ll be posting more renovation tips and tricks throughout the month so subscribe to stay in the loop!