15 Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any Contractor

Hiring the wrong contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. The good news: most bad hires reveal themselves during a 20-minute conversation if you ask the right questions. Here are the ones that matter, grouped by what they protect you from.

Credentials and protection

1. Are you licensed for this type of work, and what's your license number? Verify it with your state board yourself.
2. Can your insurer send me a current certificate of insurance? You want general liability and workers' comp, sent directly from the insurance company.
3. How long have you been in business under this name? Frequent name changes can hide a trail of complaints.
4. Can I see recent local references and photos of similar jobs? Then actually call one or two.

Scope and pricing

5. What exactly is included — and what's excluded? Get materials, brands, and model numbers in writing.
6. Who pulls the permits and schedules inspections? The contractor should, not you.
7. How are change orders handled and priced? You want written approval before any extra is charged.
8. What's the payment schedule? A modest deposit and milestone-based payments, never full payment upfront.

People and timeline

9. Will you use subcontractors, and are they licensed and insured too? Their problems can become yours.
10. Who is my point of contact day to day? You need one name and number.
11. What's the start date and realistic completion date? Be wary of promises that sound too fast for permitted work.
12. How do you protect the rest of my home and handle daily cleanup? Dust control and site protection matter.

After the work is done

13. What warranty covers labor, and what covers materials? These are usually different lengths.
14. Will you provide lien waivers as you and your subs get paid? This stops an unpaid sub from putting a lien on your home.
15. What happens if something goes wrong after completion? Get the callback policy in writing.

What the answers should feel like

A trustworthy professional answers these calmly and puts the important ones in the contract. Hesitation, irritation, pressure to skip the paperwork, or a push to pay in cash are all signals to keep interviewing. Before any of these conversations, check the typical price for your project with the right cost calculator so you can tell whether the bid that follows is fair.