Questions to ask before choosing a contractor
A good conversation does not guarantee good work. It does make the scope, assumptions, responsibilities, and risks visible before money and scheduling make the decision harder to change.
Use this as a comparison sheet: ask the same questions of each serious candidate, write the answers down, and compare like with like. Licensing, permits, contract and cancellation rules vary by state and locality.
Before inviting someone to quote
| Question | What a useful answer contains | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Have you completed projects like this recently? | Comparable scope, property type, date, references, and what was unusual. | Project examples and reference contacts. |
| Are you licensed and insured where this work is performed? | License or registration details where required, current insurance certificates, and responsible entity. | Number, expiry, and verification source. |
| Who will do the work? | Employees, named subcontractors, supervision, and who handles questions on site. | Names, roles, and communication route. |
| What might require a permit or inspection? | Who checks the local requirement and who obtains permits before work starts. | Authority to verify and permit responsibility. |
Compare written estimates
Do not compare only the total. Put each estimate into the same grid:
| Line | Ask for | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Exact work included, preparation, removal, protection, cleanup, and exclusions. | A low price may omit the work needed to finish safely. |
| Materials | Brand, model, grade, quantity, allowance, and who chooses later items. | “Equivalent” can hide a meaningful difference. |
| Schedule | Estimated start, completion, working hours, dependencies, and weather assumptions. | Timing affects occupancy, access, and temporary protection. |
| Payment | Deposit, milestones, retainage if applicable, invoices, and final-payment condition. | Payment should track verifiable progress, not pressure. |
| Change orders | Written authorization, price effect, schedule effect, and treatment of hidden conditions. | Verbal changes are difficult to compare or contest later. |
| Warranty | Who honors it, duration, exclusions, materials versus workmanship, and service process. | A promise is only useful if responsibility is clear. |
Questions for references
- Was the project similar in size and difficulty?
- Did the final scope and price change? If so, were changes written down?
- Did workers protect the home and clean the site?
- Was the project completed when expected?
- What would the homeowner ask before hiring them again?
Stop signs before signing
- Pressure to decide immediately or a “leftover materials” story.
- Request for the full amount up front, cash or wire transfer only.
- Refusal to provide a written scope, current insurance, references, or license information where required.
- Blank spaces, vague allowances, missing start/completion terms, or promises that appear only in conversation.
- A request that the homeowner obtain permits without explaining who is responsible for the work and compliance.
Boundary: the FTC guidance is US consumer guidance; local licensing, contract, permit, cancellation, deposit, and lien rules differ. Verify with the relevant state, county, or city authority and obtain professional legal advice for a dispute or high-value contract.
Prepare the handover
Before work begins, keep the accepted scope, quote, insurance evidence, decisions, photos, and contact details in one folder. During the work, record changes before they become assumptions. At handover, ask what was installed, what must be maintained, which documents belong to the equipment, and what remains outside the contractor’s scope. This turns a one-time quote comparison into a record that protects the next decision.
Keep a short decision log: question asked, answer received, document supplied, and item still open. This prevents a persuasive conversation from being mistaken for comparable evidence and makes the final choice explainable later.
Sources: FTC home-improvement scam guidance and the FTC contractor hiring checklist.