15 Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring (Copy/Paste Script)

Most homeowners are intimidated by contractor interviews because they don't know what to ask. Use this list verbatim. The way a contractor answers these questions is more important than the answers themselves.

• 1. What is your state license number, and what categories are you licensed for?
• 2. Can you send me a current Certificate of Insurance with general liability and workers comp?
• 3. How long have you been in business under this LLC?
• 4. Can I get three references from jobs completed in the last 6 months?
• 5. Will you pull all required permits?
• 6. Will your crew or subcontractors be doing the work — and can I meet the lead?
• 7. Can I see a written, line-item estimate on company letterhead?
• 8. What is the payment schedule, and what milestones trigger each payment?
• 9. How do you handle change orders? Are they always in writing?
• 10. What is your start date, and what is the projected completion date?
• 11. What warranty do you offer on labor, and how long is it?
• 12. Who is my point of contact during the project?
• 13. How do you handle cleanup and debris removal?
• 14. What happens if you hit something unexpected (mold, knob-and-tube wiring, etc.)?
• 15. What is your cancellation policy?

What good answers sound like

A trustworthy contractor will answer these calmly, confidently, and without dodging. They will offer to send documents the same day. They will not get defensive. They will not pressure you to sign before you have answers.

What bad answers sound like

Vague phrases like 'don't worry about it,' 'we always handle that,' or 'I'll get you that paperwork eventually' are warnings. So is any version of 'why are you asking so many questions?'

Save yourself the interview marathon — SMC Home Improvement pre-vets contractors on every one of these questions before we match you. It's free for homeowners.