Hiring a general contractor for your renovation or building project is a major choice along with significant financial risk. Finding the right contractor for the job means thoroughly vetting candidates to ensure they have the proper experience, skills, reputation, and approach to meet your project needs and expectations.
As you interview potential contractors, you should ask ten essential questions to help evaluate if they are a good fit or potential red flags you should be wary of. Taking the time upfront to ask the correct queries will give you confidence in your final hiring choice. These questions to ask before hiring a general contractor are given below.
Are you properly licensed and insured?
Before even considering a contractor, verify they have an up-to-date local contractor’s license for the work you need to be done. This helps validate their general qualifications and legal authority to operate. Also, ensure they carry both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Liability insurance protects you if an accident occurs on-site, while workers comp covers any injuries sustained by their crew. Lacking proper credentials is a significant warning sign.
What are your qualifications and experience with similar projects?
Ask potential contractors about their background, accreditations from professional organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and years of hands-on experience managing projects like yours. You should look for 5+ years of specific expertise to ensure they have the qualifications and track record you can trust.
Can you provide references from past clients?
Vet a contractor’s quality of work and professional reputation by checking their references thoroughly. Speaking with previous customers can confirm whether past clients were satisfied with their work and if projects were correctly completed, on time, and budget. Be wary of any unhappy customers reported or if the contractor dodges providing references. This could foreshadow future problems.
Do you provide detailed, itemized bids with fixed pricing?
Reputable contractors should provide a detailed bid itemizing what is included, with transparency into specific materials and labor costs. An itemized offer prevents hidden charges from cropping up later. Also, request they provide a fixed bid pricing that locks in prices upfront. Avoid contractors that use vague pricing or try to leave costs open-ended. This puts you at substantial financial risk for cost overruns.
How do you manage permitting, scheduling, and project management?
Look for outstanding project management skills when considering a general contractor, including pulling all required permits, coordinating inspections, and mapping out a project schedule with critical milestones. Ask for a detailed project plan laying out their process to keep work on track against an agreed timeline. Disorganization is a liability with large construction jobs.
What is your supplier and subcontractor vetting process?
Understand how the contractor vets and manages their partners like materials suppliers, subcontractors, etc. Solid relationships with quality local partners help reduce the chances of schedule disruptions or shoddy craftsmanship. Ask how long they’ve used their trusted network and oversight process.
How do you ensure quality work?
Every contractor says they deliver quality work, but look for specifics here in terms of how they verify craftsmanship at each phase, conduct inspections, leverage technology like drone footage to spot issues, and capture photos throughout construction to document progress. Good contractors take deliberate steps to guarantee quality.
How familiar are you with local zoning laws and code regulations?
It’s crucial to confirm a contractor thoroughly understands local building codes and zoning laws governing projects in your area. They should be able to speak directly to familiarity with neighborhood bylaws, permits needed, etc. Lack of familiarity with hyperlocal laws and regulations can delay projects or lead to expensive rework down the line.
For what duration have you been employed in this specific area?
In addition to overall years in the trades, try to gauge how long they’ve been operating specifically in your metro region. Longstanding presence in an area demonstrates stability, as well as familiarity with regional regulations, permit offices, trusted supplier relationships, and subcontractors. Newcomers may still be learning the local landscape.
What safety practices do you employ on job sites?
All contractors should have safety protocols and practices they employ on every job to protect workers and the public. Inquire about specifics here – do they conduct safety meetings? Provide protective gear? Secure sites appropriately? OSHA training? Safety-first contractors demonstrate professionalism and care that should carry through all aspects of their work.
Final Words
Finding the right contractor for your next construction or remodeling project means taking the time to thoroughly vet candidates. Following this list of 10 essential questions during your interviews will help surface any red flags and give you greater confidence in making a hiring decision you won’t regret down the line. Proper due diligence during the selection process sets your project up for success.
FAQs
Are you properly licensed and insured?
Verify the contractor’s up-to-date local license and insurance to ensure legal qualifications and coverage for accidents or injuries.
What are your qualifications and experience with similar projects?
Assess the contractor’s background, accreditations, and hands-on experience with projects similar to yours, aiming for at least 5 years of expertise.
Can you provide references from past clients?
Check the contractor’s references to confirm client satisfaction, on-time project completion, and adherence to budget, avoiding those hesitant to provide references.
Do you provide detailed, itemized bids with fixed pricing?
Ensure reputable contractors offer transparent, itemized bids with fixed pricing to prevent hidden charges and financial risks from vague or open-ended costs.
How do you manage permitting, scheduling, and project management?
Evaluate the contractor’s project management skills, including permitting, inspections, and scheduling, to avoid potential disorganization and ensure project success.