25 questions to ask a contractor before you hire (and what good answers sound like)

How to use this list

You don’t need to ask all 25 for a small repair. For a quick service call, the first five are plenty. For anything over a few thousand dollars, go through every section and keep notes. Pay attention to how a pro answers, not just what they say. Good pros are glad you asked. Print this checklist

Before they come out

1. Are you licensed for this work in our state, and what is your license number?
   Good answer: They give the number without hesitation, and it checks out on the state lookup.
2. Are you insured? Can your agent send me a certificate?
   Good answer: "Sure, what email should they send it to?"
3. How long have you been in business under this name?
   Good answer: A clear answer. Frequent name changes can be a warning sign.
4. Do you do this kind of job often?
   Good answer: Specific examples of similar jobs, ideally nearby.
5. Is there a fee to come out and give a quote?
   Good answer: A straight answer up front. Some trades charge a diagnostic fee and credit it toward the repair.

When they give you a quote

6. Can you put the full scope and price in writing?
   Good answer: Yes, itemized, with materials named.
7. What is not included?
   Good answer: They volunteer the gaps: permits, haul-away, drywall patching, painting.
8. Who pulls the permit?
   Good answer: "We do, under our license."
9. How much is the deposit, and when are the other payments due?
   Good answer: A modest deposit, with payments tied to finished stages.
10. When can you start, and how long will it take?
    Good answer: Realistic dates in writing. Very fast availability in a busy season is worth a question.
11. Will you be doing the work, or a crew or subcontractor?
    Good answer: A clear answer about who shows up, and that they are covered by the insurance.
12. What happens if you find something unexpected?
    Good answer: "We stop, show you, and give you a written change order before doing extra work."
13. How long is the quote good for?
    Good answer: At least several days. "Only if you sign today" is a red flag.

About quality and problems

14. What warranty do you give on your work?
    Good answer: A written workmanship warranty, separate from the manufacturer warranty.
15. Can I call two recent customers?
    Good answer: Happy to share. Even better if one job is close to yours.
16. How do you handle it if I am not happy?
    Good answer: A calm, specific process. Defensiveness now means defensiveness later.
17. How will you protect my home while you work?
    Good answer: Drop cloths, floor protection, daily cleanup.
18. Who is my contact during the job, and how fast do you reply?
    Good answer: One named person and a realistic response time.

Before the final payment

19. Has the work passed inspection?
    Good answer: Yes, and you can see the signed-off permit.
20. Can we walk through the finished work together?
    Good answer: Yes. Make a list and get every item fixed before paying the rest.
21. Will you give me lien waivers for suppliers and subcontractors?
    Good answer: On larger jobs, yes. This protects you from liens if they fail to pay their suppliers.
22. Where are the warranty documents and manuals?
    Good answer: Handed over with the final invoice.
23. Is everything I paid shown on the final invoice?
    Good answer: A clear final invoice showing each payment and a zero balance.
24. What maintenance should I do to keep this working?
    Good answer: Specific tips. Good pros want their work to last.
25. Can I leave you a review?
    Good answer: A grateful yes. Good contractors live on reviews.

Answers that should make you walk away

• "We don’t really need a permit for this."
• "Cash is better, I can knock off a little."
• "I need half up front for materials." (on a typical home job)
• "This price is only good if you sign today."
• "You pull the permit, it’s easier."
• "I don’t have references, but I’ve been doing this forever."

See all 12 contractor red flags, or check a quote you already have with our quote checker.

Common questions