Questions to ask a contractor before hiring
The best contractor questions do not perform suspicion; they make the job easier to price, run, and remember accurately.
Ask what exactly is included
What work is included, excluded, assumed, or carried as an allowance? Which materials, prep steps, repairs, disposal, and permits are inside the number?
Ask how the job will run
Who supervises daily work, what schedule is realistic, how are delays communicated, and what needs to be selected before the crew arrives?
Ask how money changes hands
What is the payment schedule, what triggers each milestone, and how are change orders priced and approved before extra work starts?
Ask what happens after completion
What warranty is provided, what documentation will be handed over, who closes permits, and how are punch-list items handled?
FAQ
Should I ask every contractor the same questions?
Yes. A consistent question set makes estimates easier to compare and reveals where one proposal is less complete than another.
Is the lowest bid a red flag?
Not automatically. It becomes risky when the lower number comes from missing scope, vague allowances, or unclear execution terms.