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The best contractor questions uncover four things before work starts: whether the contractor is qualified and insured, exactly what the price includes, how the job will be managed and paid, and what happens if something changes. Ask the questions below on every call, get the answers in writing, and verify requirements with your state, county or city. Licensing, permits, deposits, cancellation rights and contract rules vary by location and by project. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers to get multiple estimates and not pay the full project amount up front.
What should I ask a contractor before hiring?
Use the same question list with every bidder so you can compare like with like. Keep the answers, estimates, license records and messages in one folder; a verbal promise is difficult to enforce or even remember accurately later.
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- Can you show current liability and workers’ compensation insurance?
- Can I contact recent customers and check your complaint history?
- Will you provide a detailed, written estimate and contract?
- What is included, excluded or likely to change the price?
- Who obtains each permit and schedules inspections?
- When will work start and finish, and who will be on site?
- What are the payment milestones, warranty terms and cancellation rights?
Are you licensed and insured for this work?
Ask for the exact license number, issuing authority, expiration date and classification, not just a business card that says “licensed.” A remodeling company may be qualified for one trade but not another, and some jurisdictions require a bond or a separate certificate. Verify the information directly with the relevant state, county or city agency; do not rely solely on a contractor’s copy.
Request a certificate of general-liability insurance and, where applicable, workers’ compensation coverage. Ask what the policy covers, its limits and the policy period. If the contractor uses subcontractors, ask who insures them and who is responsible for damage or injuries caused by their work. Requirements differ by location and by the type of job, so confirm the local rule before signing. The FTC recommends checking credentials and asking for references in its home-improvement hiring guidance.
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Ask for three or more recent references for projects similar in size and type. Contact the references yourself and ask whether the contractor met the written scope, handled changes, kept the site safe and finished when promised. Check the company’s history with your state or local consumer-protection office and use reputable review sources as one input, not as a substitute for license verification.
How do I compare contractor estimates?
Request written estimates from more than one contractor using the same plans, measurements and finish selections. A low total is not automatically the best value: it may omit demolition, disposal, permits, surface preparation, taxes, design work or required materials.
| Compare this | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Scope | Does the bid list every room, task, quantity and finish, including cleanup and disposal? |
| Materials | What brands, grades, sizes and installation methods are included? Who selects and orders them? |
| Price | Which items are fixed prices, allowances or estimates? What is explicitly excluded? |
| Schedule | What are the estimated start and completion dates, and what could delay them? |
| Permits | Which permits and inspection fees are included, and who obtains them? |
| Payment | What deposit and milestone payments are due, and what triggers each one? |
| Warranty | What labor and material warranties apply, for how long, and how do you request service? |
| Changes | How will a requested or unexpected change be priced and scheduled before work proceeds? |
Details checked November 2026.
When bids differ sharply, ask each contractor to explain the difference in scope or assumptions. Have every answer added to the estimate or contract. A spreadsheet with one row per task makes omissions visible and prevents a persuasive presentation from overshadowing the actual deliverables.
What exactly is included, and what could change the price?
The contract should turn the estimate into a precise description of the work. Attach drawings, product selections and a written list of labor and materials. Clarify who supplies appliances, fixtures and finish materials; whether delivery, storage, protection of existing areas and final cleaning are included; and how damaged or unsuitable existing conditions will be handled.
Ask for examples of conditions that could increase the price, such as concealed damage or a required design change. Do not authorize extra work on a hallway conversation. Before any change begins, require a written change order stating the added or reduced cost, revised completion date, materials and both parties’ approval. If a contractor says the price must change immediately, pause long enough to document the reason and obtain the revised terms.
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Fill every blank in the contract or mark it “not applicable” before signing. Make sure the legal business name, address and contact information match the entity whose license and insurance you verified.
When will work start and finish, and how will payments be staged?
Have the contract state estimated start and completion dates, work hours, access arrangements and the payment schedule. Tie installments to identifiable milestones—such as completion of defined phases or delivery of specified materials—rather than to vague promises. Ask how weather, inspections, material shortages or owner-requested changes affect the schedule and how you will be notified.
Do not pay the entire project amount up front. The FTC’s wording is direct: “Don’t pay the full amount for the project up front.” Some states or localities limit deposits or require particular contract language, so check your consumer-protection or licensing authority for the rule where the property is located. Keep payment records and obtain receipts. Do not make the final payment until the contracted work is complete, required inspections are addressed and you are satisfied with the result.
Ask whether progress payments cover subcontractors and suppliers, and request confirmation that accounts are being paid. Your local authority can explain any notice or lien protections that apply; do not assume a contractor’s verbal assurance replaces those procedures.
Who handles permits and inspections?
Ask the contractor to identify every permit that may be required and to state in writing who will apply, pay the fees, post the permit and schedule inspections. Then call the local building department yourself to confirm the list and responsibility. Permit requirements can depend on the project’s scope, property type and jurisdiction.
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The FTC identifies a contractor telling the homeowner to obtain required permits as a warning sign. That warning does not mean the contractor is legally responsible in every location; local law may assign a particular role to the owner or contractor. Treat any disagreement as a reason to verify the rule before work starts. Never allow work to proceed on the assumption that an inspection can be arranged later.
What warranties cover the work and materials?
Get warranty promises in the contract, separated into workmanship, manufacturer materials and any labor needed to remove or reinstall a failed product. Ask the length of each warranty, exclusions, maintenance obligations, the person to contact, the response process and whether the warranty transfers to a future owner. Keep invoices, manuals, model numbers and inspection records that may be needed for a claim.
For a solar installation, compare more than panel output. Ask for expected system production, equipment and workmanship warranty periods, monitoring, maintenance, repair responsibility, utility interconnection arrangements and what happens if the roof later needs replacement. Ask whether a warranty claim requires a particular installer, and whether removing and reinstalling the system is covered. The FTC’s solar consumer guide also recommends examining financing, maintenance and the effect of the system on a future home sale.
What financing terms am I agreeing to?
Read loan or payment documents independently of the contractor’s sales explanation. Compare the annual percentage rate, finance charges, origination fees, payment amount and schedule, repayment period, variable-rate terms, late fees and any balloon or final payment. Ask whether the contractor receives a fee for arranging the financing and whether the contract price differs when you use another lender.
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Can I cancel the contract?
Ask the contractor to show the cancellation language and explain the deadline, delivery method and address for notice. FTC consumer guidance says qualifying home-improvement contracts signed in the home or away from the seller’s permanent place of business should include a written statement of a three-business-day cancellation right. Whether that rule applies depends on the transaction and applicable law; it is not a universal right for every contract or emergency repair.
If you cancel, follow the written procedure exactly, keep proof of delivery and return any materials as required. A state or local consumer office can explain additional rights. Do not rely on a salesperson’s promise that a verbal cancellation is sufficient.
What are the warning signs of a contractor scam?
Pause the conversation when you see pressure or missing paperwork. The FTC flags these patterns:
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- A request for the entire price up front, cash-only payment or payment to an individual rather than the contracted business.
- A contractor who tells you to obtain a required permit without a clear, locally verified reason.
- Loan paperwork arranged on the spot, especially when the security, fees or repayment terms are unclear.
- Door-to-door claims that the crew is conveniently “in the area,” or an offer to use leftover materials from another job.
- Refusal to provide a written scope, license details, insurance proof, references or a copy of the contract.
The practical response is simple: stop, verify the credentials with the issuing authority, obtain competing written bids and leave every blank filled before signing. A legitimate schedule or discount should survive a reasonable review period.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I resolve a problem or dispute?
Raise the issue promptly in writing and describe the contract section, defect or missed milestone, the remedy you are requesting and a reasonable response date. Keep dated photos, invoices, inspection reports, change orders, payment confirmations and copies of every email or text. Continue documenting the condition even while discussions are underway.
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First try to resolve the matter with the contractor using the contract’s notice procedure. If that fails, contact the state licensing agency, local building department, consumer-protection office or an available dispute-resolution program. Those agencies can explain complaint, mediation or enforcement options; they cannot all award the same remedies. For a major payment, lien, injury or structural issue, seek advice from a qualified local attorney or building professional before signing a release or making another payment.
What should I do before signing?
- Verify: Check the license classification and expiration with the issuing authority; confirm insurance and references.
- Normalize: Give each bidder the same plans, selections and access information.
- Compare: Review scope, materials, exclusions, schedule, permits, payment milestones and warranty—not only totals.
- Document: Attach the final estimate, drawings, product list and written change-order process to the contract.
- Protect: Confirm deposit limits, cancellation language, financing terms and who handles inspections.
- Control: Pay only according to documented milestones, retain records and withhold final payment until satisfactory completion.
Local rules can change the answer to any individual question. Use this checklist to organize the conversation, then confirm the requirements for your address and project with the relevant government office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contractor estimates should I get for a home project?
Contact more than one qualified contractor and give each the same scope and selections. The useful comparison is the work each bid includes, its assumptions and its schedule; if totals differ substantially, ask the bidders to identify the specific tasks or materials causing the gap.
What records should I keep after hiring a contractor?
Keep the signed contract and attachments, license and insurance information, permits, inspection results, change orders, invoices, receipts, progress photos and all written communications. Store warranty documents and product model numbers with those records so a later repair or resale does not depend on memory.
What if a contractor starts work without the required permit?
Stop and contact the local building authority to learn the correction process before allowing more work. Ask the contractor in writing who will obtain the permit, pay fees and arrange inspections, and document any resulting delay or cost; do not assume an after-the-fact permit is available or harmless.
Should I let a contractor choose the lender for my project?
You can compare the contractor’s offer with independent financing, but read the lender’s documents separately from the construction contract. Confirm the APR, fees, payment changes, security interest, cancellation terms and whether a lien on your home is involved before accepting any loan.
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Ask for expected annual production, system size, utility-interconnection steps, equipment and workmanship warranties, monitoring, maintenance and repair responsibility. Also ask who pays to remove and reinstall panels for future roof work and what happens to the agreement if you sell the home.
