15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Contractor

The Questions Most Homeowners Forget to Ask

Hiring a contractor feels high-stakes because it is. You're inviting someone into your home, trusting them with expensive work, and paying upfront for results you haven't seen yet. The difference between a great experience and a nightmare often comes down to the questions you ask before signing anything.

Whether you're hiring a plumber, electrician, roofer, or any other professional, ask these 15 questions first.

Licensing & Insurance

1. Are you licensed in this state?

Ask for the license number and verify it yourself. Don't take "yes" at face value.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance?

This protects you if the contractor damages your property. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) — any professional will have one ready.

3. Do you have workers' compensation insurance?

If a worker gets injured on your property and the contractor doesn't have workers' comp, you could be liable. This is non-negotiable for any job involving a crew.

The Quote & Contract

4. Can I get a detailed, written estimate?

A verbal quote is worthless. Get everything itemized in writing: labor, materials, permits, disposal fees. This is how you compare apples to apples when getting multiple quotes.

5. What's included — and what's NOT included?

The most common source of disputes. Ask specifically about: cleanup, disposal of old materials, permits, and finishing work like painting or trim.

6. Is this a fixed price or an estimate?

A fixed price means they absorb overruns. An estimate means you might pay more. Know which one you're signing.

7. What's the payment schedule?

Never pay more than 10-30% upfront. Reasonable schedules tie payments to milestones: 30% start, 30% midpoint, 40% completion. Never pay in full before work is done.

Timeline & Process

8. When can you start, and when will you finish?

Get specific dates in writing. "A couple weeks" is not a timeline. Include a clause about what happens if they go significantly over schedule.

9. Will you be doing the work, or a subcontractor?

Some contractors hire subcontractors for parts of the job. Know who's actually doing the work and whether they're also licensed and insured.

10. How will you handle unexpected issues?

Every renovation uncovers surprises. A good contractor will explain their process: they'll stop work, show you the issue, get your approval on additional costs, then proceed.

Quality & Warranty

11. What warranty do you offer on your work?

Most good contractors offer 1-2 years on labor. Materials typically have manufacturer warranties. Get both in writing.

12. Can I see photos of similar projects you've completed?

Better than generic reviews. Ask for 2-3 examples of work similar to yours — ideally with before and after photos.

13. Can I contact 2-3 recent references?

And actually call them. Ask: Was the work done on time? On budget? Were there any issues? Would you hire them again?

Communication & Logistics

14. How will we communicate during the project?

Will they text updates? Weekly check-ins? Who do you call if there's a problem? Clear communication prevents 90% of contractor disputes.

15. What permits are needed, and who pulls them?

The contractor should pull permits — it's their responsibility. If they suggest skipping permits to "save money," that's a major red flag. Unpermitted work can affect your home's resale value and insurance coverage.

Bonus: The One Question That Reveals Everything

"What would you do if I wasn't happy with the finished work?"

A good contractor will have a clear answer: they'll come back, fix it, make it right. A bad one will get defensive or vague. This question alone tells you a lot about who you're dealing with.

Get Multiple Quotes to Compare

The easiest way to spot red flags is to compare. When you get 3 quotes through InstantLocalQuote, you can see how different contractors answer these questions — and the differences will tell you everything you need to know.