❓ 15 Questions to Ask Any Contractor Before You Hire Them

Most homeowners pick a contractor based on price and vibes. That's how you end up with a half-finished deck, a no-show crew, or a lien on your house because the contractor stiffed their subcontractors. A few direct questions upfront can save you thousands and months of headaches.

Here are the 15 questions worth asking before you hand over a deposit.

Licensing and Insurance

1. Are you licensed in this state?

Most states require contractor licensing for jobs over a certain dollar amount (often $500-1,000). Ask for their license number, then verify it at your state's contractor licensing board website. Takes 2 minutes. If they're not licensed and something goes wrong, you have almost no legal recourse.

2. Can you show me your certificate of insurance?

You want two things: general liability (protects your property if they damage it) and workers' compensation (protects you if a worker gets hurt on your property). If they can't produce a current COI, walk away. General liability minimums should be at least $1 million per occurrence.

3. Does your insurance cover subcontractors?

Many contractors use subs for specialized work. If those subs aren't covered under the main contractor's policy, you're exposed. Get a clear answer here.

Experience and References

4. How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year?

Specific. Not "we've done lots of these" but an actual number. A roofer who does 3-4 roof replacements a week is very different from a handyman who did one roof two years ago. For jobs over $10,000, you want a contractor who's done dozens of similar projects.

5. Can I have three references from projects in the last 6 months?

Recent references matter. A contractor who was great 3 years ago might have a completely different crew today. Call the references. Ask specifically: Was the project completed on time? On budget? Would you hire them again?

6. Can I see a project you've completed nearby?

For visible work like roofing, siding, fencing, or landscaping, ask to drive by a completed job. Photos can be stolen from the internet. An actual address you can verify cannot.

The Scope of Work

7. What exactly is included in this quote — and what's NOT?

This is where most disputes start. "Painting the living room" might mean different things to you and the contractor. Does it include the ceiling? The trim? Patching holes first? Get the scope in writing and make sure both sides agree on what's included.

8. What materials will you be using?

Ask for brand names, product lines, and grades. "Standard shingles" could mean anything. "CertainTeed Landmark 30-year architectural shingles" is specific enough to verify and compare.

9. Who will actually be doing the work?

You're hiring the company, but crews vary. Ask if they use their own employees or subcontractors. Ask if the same crew will be on your job start to finish. High crew turnover is a red flag for quality consistency.

Timeline and Payment

10. What's your realistic start date and estimated completion timeline?

Realistic. A contractor who says "next week" when they clearly have 10 active jobs is telling you what you want to hear. Get start dates and milestones in writing in the contract.

11. What's your payment schedule?

A reasonable deposit for a large job is 10-30% upfront. Anything over 50% upfront is a red flag. Final payment should be tied to completion and your satisfaction, not arbitrary dates. Never pay in full before the job is done.

12. What happens if the project runs over budget?

Some overruns are legitimate (hidden damage discovered during demo, for example). Ask how they handle change orders. Good contractors require written change orders signed by both parties before doing additional work. If they say "don't worry, we'll just figure it out," that's a problem.

Warranties and Permits

13. Will you pull the necessary permits?

Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work requires permits. If a contractor suggests skipping permits to save money, they're putting you at legal and financial risk. Unpermitted work can prevent you from selling your home, void your insurance, and require costly teardowns.

14. What warranty do you offer on your labor?

Material warranties come from manufacturers. Labor warranties come from the contractor. One to two years is standard for most trades. Zero warranty means they won't stand behind the work. In writing means they will.

15. What's the best way to reach you if something goes wrong?

Sounds basic, but a contractor who's hard to reach before you hire them will be impossible to reach when something needs to be fixed. Test their responsiveness now by timing how long they take to return calls and emails.

One More Thing: Check the Quote Itself

Even a great contractor can submit an overpriced quote. Before you sign, upload it to QuoteScore for a free instant analysis. We compare every line item against real market data so you know if you're getting a fair price or leaving money on the table.