9 Questions You Should Always Ask A Contractor Before Hiring Them

Hiring a contractor to work on your house can feel intimidating and even scary—we’ve all heard horror stories about unfinished work, poor communication, and ignored budgets. “You’re looking for a partner for the most personal investment you can make,” says Rick Rockwell, President of Rockwell Construction in Charleston, South Carolina. “They’re going to be connected with you, and ultimately with your family, through this investment.” As such, they need to respect your finances, space, and you. Though Rockwell admits your gut feeling after meeting them can tell you a lot, there are also questions you should always ask a contractor before hiring them.

Licensing, Contracts, and Billing Questions

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

You may have heard of this phrase before, but you should know exactly what it means. If your contractor is licensed, they meet the minimum requirements to conduct business in your state. Working with a bonded contractor ensures the contractor will complete the work as agreed upon and allows you to receive compensation for any damages, incomplete work, etc. Finally, being insured protects the contractor: If something goes wrong, their insurance company takes on the losses instead of them. “If the contractor subcontracts any work, you should ask if they’re licensed, bonded, and insured too,” adds Steven Grant, COO and Co-Founder of Guardian Home in Tampa, Florida.

Can you provide a detailed contract, scope of work, and explanation of billing?

You work hard for your money, so it's important to ensure the scope of the project and payment is clear. A few more detailed questions Rockwell recommends asking: What is your markup (for example, “cost plus” or “guaranteed maximum price”)? Can you show me examples of invoices for other clients with personal information redacted? Construction projects can have enough surprises—you don’t want to risk spending more money or receiving any less than the agreed-upon work.

Team Questions

Who are the specific members of the team who will be involved with my project?

Likely, the contractor you’re consulting with won’t be the only person working on your project. Rockwell advises that you get the full scoop. Here are important parts of the team to ask about:

• Who will be your day-to-day contact?
• Is the work done by their crews or subcontractors?
• Will you be partnering with the same person the entirety of the project?

“Additionally, do your own research. Find out their reputation from others in the space and related industries so there are no surprises,” he adds.

Communications Questions

How will you communicate with me throughout the project?

When it comes to construction projects, ignorance is not bliss. “They might utilize an online project tracking system with progress pictures, updates, and invoices like BuilderTrend, or just manage invoices over email and send updates via text,” Rockwell says. You don’t want to waste your time hunting down information—if a mistake is made or there’s a problem they need your input on to solve, you should know ASAP.

Legal Questions

When do you send the lien release?

A lien release, Grant says, releases you from future liability. “If the contractor doesn’t pay their vendor or their sub-contractor, the aforementioned parties can place a lien on the homeowner to pay for the material or labor provided,” he explains. This would leave you with unforeseen expenses by no fault of your own—a major (and costly) problem.

Are there any pending lawsuits?

Why would you want to risk your own legal battle, right? This question applies to the contractor as well as any subcontractors working on your project. According to Grant, you should pay special attention to repetitive legal actions over the same issue, while Rockwell recommends you listen for any lawsuits regarding construction defects.

Experience and Testimonial Questions

Are you experienced in this scope of work and my area?

No two construction projects are the same, but they can all certainly be complex. That’s why you need an experienced contractor who knows your geographic area. “They should have experience with design review boards, zoning boards, and the permitting process for your particular area,” says Rockwell. “These rules and regulations can change from one zip code to the next.” You don’t want to get stalled mid-project or miss timing milestones due to lack of local knowledge or contacts.

Geography is also important when you consider the actual environment: “Contractors need to adapt to where you’re building, from materials to water protection.” Their awareness and connection with suppliers about what works best in your specific environment can make or break your project.

Finally, your contractor should be very familiar with the kind of project you’re working on. For example, you don’t want someone versed in new builds to take on a historical renovation because of the nuances involved. 

Can you provide verifiable customer testimonials?

Don’t just take their word—take their customers’ words. “Checking verifiable customer testimonials lets you gauge their reliability and quality of work,” Grant says. Rockwell agrees, mentioning that referrals should be from recent projects, easily accessible, and instantly available—”they shouldn’t stall or just redirect you to their website.”

Communication Questions

How will you communicate with me throughout the project?

When it comes to construction projects, ignorance is not bliss. “They might utilize an online project tracking system with progress pictures, updates, and invoices like BuilderTrend, or just manage invoices over email and send updates via text,” Rockwell says. You don’t want to waste your time hunting down information—if a mistake is made or there’s a problem they need your input on to solve, you should know ASAP.

Do you have any questions for me?

You should be having a back-and-forth conversation with your contractor, which means they need to ask you questions too. Not doing so could mean they aren’t truly interested in the work or just plan on winging it—neither of which is a good sign. Some green flag questions, according to Rockwell, include asking about your HOA’s bylaws, your plans, and if you’ve met with an architect.