The Questions That Protect You When Hiring a Contractor
Ask these questions before you sign anything or hand over money
A contractor who won't answer basic questions before the work starts is a contractor who will disappear when something goes wrong. The questions below protect you by establishing what the job actually is, who pays for what, and what happens if the work fails. Ask them all, in writing when possible, and get the answers in writing before you sign a contract.
These are not questions about the contractor's personality or whether you like them. They are about the specific work, the timeline, the cost, and the legal protection you get if the job is done badly or left unfinished.
Key Takeaways
- Get a written scope of work that names the exact materials, the exact work to be done, and what is not included — vague language creates disputes later.
- Ask for proof of licensing, insurance, and bonding before hiring, and verify the license is current and the insurance covers the work you need done.
- Establish the payment schedule in writing: how much is due when, what triggers each payment, and what you withhold until the work passes inspection.
- Ask how long the work will take, when it starts, and what happens if the contractor stops showing up or misses the deadline.
- Find out what warranty or may provide covers the work after it is finished, and get the terms in writing so you know what is covered and for how long.
What exactly is included in this job
Ask the contractor to write down every single thing they will do, the materials they will use, and the materials you are responsible for. "Fix the roof" is not a scope of work. "Remove existing shingles, inspect and repair decking, install new plywood where needed, install new architectural shingles and flashing" is. The more specific, the better.
Ask what is explicitly not included. Will they haul away the old materials, or do you pay extra? Will they paint the trim, or just the walls? Will they patch the drywall, or leave that to you? Contractors often assume the homeowner will handle the small finishing work, and homeowners assume the contractor will. Write it down.
Ask whether the price changes if they find damage or problems once they start. A contractor who says "I'll know more once I open the wall" should tell you in advance what the extra cost would be per hour, or what the process is for approving change orders. Never let a contractor start work without knowing how you will handle surprises.
Licensing, insurance, and bonding
Ask for the contractor's license number and verify it with your state or local licensing board. Many states require contractors to be licensed for work above a certain dollar amount; some require it for all work. A current license means the contractor has met training requirements and passed an exam. An expired or suspended license means they have not.
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. General liability covers damage the contractor causes to your home or property. Workers' compensation covers medical bills if a worker is injured on your job. If the contractor has neither, you could be liable for injuries or damage. Call the insurance company yourself to verify the policy is active — do not rely on a copy the contractor gives you.
Ask whether the contractor is bonded. A bond is a may provide that the contractor will finish the job or refund your money. Not all states require bonding, and not all contractors carry it, but if they do, it is a form of protection. Ask what the bond covers and for how much.
How much will this cost and when do you pay
Get a written estimate that breaks down the cost by material and labor. "Bathroom remodel: $15,000" tells you nothing. "Tile: $2,400, labor to install tile: $1,800, plumbing: $4,200, electrical: $3,100, fixtures: $3,500" tells you where your money goes and makes it easier to spot if something is missing or overpriced.
Ask what the payment schedule is. A common structure is 30 percent down to start, 40 percent at the halfway point, and 30 percent on completion. Never pay the full amount upfront. Ask what triggers each payment — is it when materials arrive, when a phase of work is done, or when an inspector signs off? Get this in the contract.
Ask what you withhold until the work is finished and inspected. Many homeowners hold back 10 to 15 percent of the total cost until they have walked through the finished job and confirmed everything is done correctly. This gives you leverage if something is wrong.
How long will the work take and what if it does not stay on schedule
Ask for a start date and an expected completion date. Ask whether the contractor will work on weekends or evenings, or only during business hours. Ask how many workers will be on site and whether the same crew will stay through the job or rotate.
Ask what happens if the contractor does not show up for a week, or if the job stretches past the completion date. Some contracts include a daily penalty if the work runs over; others simply state that the contractor will finish by a certain date with no penalty clause. Know which one you have.
Ask whether weather, supply delays, or permit delays will extend the timeline. Most contractors will build in a buffer for these things, but you should know whether a two-week delay for materials means the job now takes three months instead of two.
What happens if the work is not done right
Ask what warranty or may provide the contractor offers on the work. Some contractors may provide their labor for one year; others offer five years or longer. Some may provide materials separately from labor. Get the terms in writing: what is covered, how long it lasts, and how you report a problem.
Ask what "done right" means for your specific job. For roofing, does it mean no leaks for five years? For plumbing, does it mean no clogs or leaks? For painting, does it mean no drips or brush marks? The contractor's standard and yours may not match, so establish it before work starts.
Ask how the contractor handles a dispute if you think the work is defective. Will they come back and fix it at no cost? Will you go to arbitration or small claims court? Some contracts require mediation before either party can sue. Know the process before you need it.
References and past work
Ask for at least three references from jobs completed in the past year. Call them and ask whether the work was finished on time, whether the contractor was easy to reach, and whether they would hire the same contractor again. Ask specifically about any problems and how the contractor handled them.
Ask whether you can see photos of past work or visit a completed job. A contractor who has nothing to show you is a red flag. A contractor who can show you work similar to yours gives you a realistic picture of what your job will look like.
Ask how long the contractor has been in business. A contractor who has been operating for five years or more has survived the lean times and kept customers happy enough to stay in business. A brand-new contractor may be fine, but you have less track record to evaluate.
Permits, inspections, and who is responsible
Ask whether the job requires permits and inspections. Most structural work, electrical work, and plumbing work does. Ask whether the contractor will pull the permits and pay for them, or whether you will. Ask who schedules the inspections and who is present when the inspector arrives.
Ask what happens if the inspector finds a problem. Will the contractor fix it at no extra cost, or will you pay for corrections? Will the contractor appeal the inspector's decision, or accept it? Get this in writing so there is no surprise.
Ask whether the contractor has had permit violations or failed inspections in the past. You can sometimes find this information through your local building department, but asking directly gives you a chance to hear the contractor's side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a contractor refuses to answer these questions?
Do not hire them. A contractor who will not answer basic questions about scope, cost, timeline, and warranty is either hiding something or does not take the work seriously. There are other contractors who will answer everything in writing.
Do I need all these answers in writing, or can I just talk to the contractor?
Get them in writing. Conversations are forgotten or remembered differently. A written contract protects both you and the contractor by making clear what was promised. If a dispute arises, a text message or email is evidence; a conversation is not.
What if the contractor says the price will change once they start work?
Ask them to estimate the range and the process for approving extra costs. For example: "If we find rot in the subfloor, it will cost $X per square foot to replace. I will show you the damage and get your approval before I proceed." This way you know what to expect and how decisions will be made.
How do I verify a contractor's license and insurance?
Call your state or local licensing board with the license number and ask whether it is current and in good standing. For insurance, call the insurance company directly using the phone number on the policy — do not use a number the contractor provides, as it could be fake.
What if something goes wrong after the contractor finishes and leaves?
This is why the warranty question matters. If the contract says the contractor guarantees their work for one year and a pipe leaks three months later, you can contact them and ask them to fix it. If there is no warranty in writing, you have no recourse except small claims court.