10 Best Questions to Ask Contractors Before Hiring

Hiring the best contractor for your project involves asking the right questions up front. This process can make or break your remodel. Whether planning a minor upgrade or a significant renovation, these questions will clarify your expectations, ensuring the person you hire is wholly aligned with your expectations.

Why You Should Ask Questions 

Asking questions ensures that the contractor you hire is qualified and reliable. When interviewing contractors, remember your goal is to investigate their qualifications, experience, and approach to identify potential red flags that could lead to costly mistakes.

Starting the process with clear communication sets the tone for the entire project and prevents misunderstandings. Angi has your back if you are looking for local contractors to interview.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

These two points are 100% non-negotiable. Any contractor that works on your property should be licensed and insured to work in the local area. Licensing ensures they are up to speed on local building codes and have passed competency tests or levels of training for their areas of expertise. Plus, hiring an unlicensed contractor can have major consequences for the homeowner. 

Proof of insurance protects you and your home in case of damage or accidents. You will want to confirm that the contractor has general liability insurance to cover any damage to your property or workers' injuries while on your property. 

2. How Do You Handle Permits and Inspections?

Contractors manage and plan projects, including obtaining permits and scheduling inspections. These are critical tasks, which raises a red flag if any contractor you speak with expects you to handle them. This typically indicates that the contractor may not be familiar with local regulations and building codes.

3. What’s Your Project Experience?

Let's say you are remodeling your kitchen. You will want to ensure the contractor you hire has several years of experience renovating cooking spaces.

For instance, a kitchen renovation requires someone to oversee and manage plumbing, cabinetry, appliance installation, electrical, and possibly gas work. Ask the contractor about similar projects they worked on and how they addressed any issues. Their responses should give you confidence in whether to proceed with the interview.

4. Can You Provide References?

This is one of the best and most reliable ways to confirm whether a contractor produces high-quality work and maintains expected levels of professionalism.

Ask for recent references from clients with similar projects and reach out to them with questions about the contractor’s communication style, ability to meet deadlines, and the previous clients’ satisfaction with final results. If any contractor you speak with fails to provide references, take them off your list and prioritize only those who are transparent about their track record.

5. How Do You Handle Quotes?

Any reliable contractor will provide written quotes outlining the work, timeline, materials, and labor costs. Quotes are delivered after viewing your space or gaining an understanding of the scope of your project. 

Keep in mind that the point of having a quote is transparency. It should ensure you know exactly what you’re paying for. Also, confirm if quotes are estimates or fixed prices, and clarify how changes to the project will affect costs. 

6. What’s Included in the Contract?

A contract is an essential element that protects you and the contractor while keeping your project on track. It should clearly outline the scope of work, materials, project costs, payment schedule, timelines, and any warranties offered.

Most importantly, it is a legal agreement that outlines and documents everything you and the contractor agreed to. Anything not in writing is not guaranteed, so never accept verbal promises when working with a contractor.

7. What’s the Payment Schedule?

Be wary of any contractor who demands full payment up front or refuses to agree to a payment schedule. Remember, the contract should cover it.

A well-structured payment schedule is the best way to promote transparency and accountability throughout your project. Reputable contractors require an initial deposit to secure materials, followed by payments tied to project milestones.

Your final payment is made upon completion. This keeps the contractor motivated to complete all tasks according to your contract.

8. Who Will Be Working on the Project?

It is essential to know if the contractor will be working on the project or if it will be given to a subcontractor, someone you have never had the chance to interview.

If subcontractors are involved, you'll want to learn about their qualifications and experiences, including whether they worked with the contractor previously. At this time, it is also strongly recommended that you confirm who will supervise your project and be your point of contact.

9. How Do You Handle Unexpected Issues or Changes?

Issues or changes will likely arise during most remodeling projects, so it is a good idea to understand how your contractor deals with these surprises. A dependable contractor will have a clear plan for communicating sudden issues and proposing solutions before moving forward. 

10. What Is Your Clean-Up Process?

Once the job is complete, you want your property to be in excellent and clean condition. Ask the contractor what cleanup services are included with the project and what additional cleanup services they may charge more for. You want to ensure that the contractor's team will responsibly dispose of all construction debris and leave the areas they work on clean and ready for your use.