Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring
Hiring a contractor usually happens in a hurry: something broke, or you finally have the budget and want to get on the schedule. A little structure goes a long way. The questions below are the ones a good contractor expects to hear, and the answers tell you a lot about how the job will go.
This guide is written from the contractor side of the table. Use it with the free one-page checklist at the bottom.
Free, no sign-up or email needed. Download the free PDF
Branded EZcontractordocs. Print it, copy it, use it on your jobs.
Before you call anyone
Write down what you want done, room by room, and what you have already picked. Give every contractor the same description. If three contractors bid on three different ideas of the job, you cannot compare the prices.
Questions to ask
- Are you licensed or registered for this work in this state or town, and what is the number? Then look it up yourself on the official state or local website instead of relying on a copy.
- Do you carry general liability insurance, and workers' compensation if you have employees? Ask for certificates and check the dates.
- Who will actually be on site each day, and who is my contact?
- Will you pull the permits? A contractor who suggests skipping a required permit is a warning sign.
- What exactly is included and excluded in your price? Ask about demolition, disposal, cleanup, painting and fixtures.
- Which items are allowances, and how much does each allowance assume?
- How do you handle changes? You want to hear "a written change order, signed before the work."
- What is the payment schedule, and how much is the deposit? Some states limit deposits; check yours.
- What is the expected start date and duration, and what could delay it?
- What warranty do you give on workmanship, and is it in writing?
- Can I speak to recent clients with similar projects?
How to compare bids
Line the bids up on the same items, not just the totals. A low bid that excludes disposal, permits and painting may not be low. Look at the deposit as a share of the price, the payment schedule, the start date and the warranty, and note what each one leaves out.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign today or a "special price" that expires immediately
- A large cash payment up front
- No written contract, or a contract that does not match what was said
- Reluctance to give a license number or insurance certificate
- Suggestions to skip permits
- Leftover materials from "a job down the street"
Before you sign
Read the contract for the scope, exclusions, allowances, price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, change order process, warranty and cleanup. If it is a large job, consider having it reviewed. Keep copies of everything, including photos of the work area before the job starts.
Download the free checklist
The free one-page checklist below covers the checks, the questions and the red flags with tick boxes. For a full step-by-step guide and a spreadsheet that compares up to four bids side by side, see the Hire a Contractor Safely Checklist.
Free, no sign-up or email needed. Download the free PDF
Branded EZcontractordocs. Print it, copy it, use it on your jobs.
Want the full version?
Hire a Contractor Safely Checklist$12 · Check registration and insurance, compare bids side by side and pay safely.
Homeowner Remodel Kit$15 · Plan your remodel and hire carefully: the Remodel Planning Workbook plus the Hire a Contractor Safely Checklist ($21 if bought separately).Questions
How many bids should I get?
For a larger job, getting more than one bid on the same written scope is common practice, so you can compare what each includes.
Where do I check a contractor license?
On your state or local licensing or contractor registration agency website. Rules and agencies differ by state.
Is the checklist free?
Yes. Download the one-page PDF below; no sign-up needed.
Guide only, not legal advice. Licensing, deposit and contract rules vary by state: check your state's consumer protection or contractor registration agency.