What questions should I ask a contractor before hiring?
Ask about licensing and insurance, who will physically be on site, how the schedule is structured, how changes are priced, and what the payment schedule looks like. The answers matter less than the specificity: a good contractor gives concrete, unhesitating answers and puts them in writing. Be equally attentive to what happens when things go wrong, because on most projects something does.
Reviewed by Owners & Homes · Published February 22, 2026 · Last reviewed September 2, 2026
What affects the answer
- Project complexity. Structural, plumbing and electrical work require verifiable licensing.
- Whether the company self-performs or subcontracts most of the work.
- How busy they are, which affects both schedule and attention.
- Local licensing rules, which vary significantly by state and municipality.
What homeowners often overlook
- A certificate of insurance should come directly from the insurer, not as a forwarded PDF.
- Lien waivers from subcontractors and suppliers protect you if the general contractor does not pay them.
- A large deposit — more than roughly 10 to 30 percent — is a warning sign in most states.
- References from three years ago are more informative than last month's.
- Who cleans up daily, and where materials and dumpsters will sit.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Are you licensed for this work here, and can I see current general liability and workers' compensation certificates?
- Who is my day-to-day point of contact, and who is physically on site?
- What is the payment schedule tied to — dates or completed milestones?
- How are change orders documented and priced before work proceeds?
- What is your written warranty on workmanship?
- Can I speak with three clients from projects like mine, including one from two or more years ago?
A practical next step
Get three bids with the same written scope. Comparing different scopes is the most common reason homeowners pick the wrong contractor.