Key Takeaways
Summary
22 items · 20–45 minutes per contractor interview
Why Your Questions Matter More Than Their Pitch
Hiring a general contractor is one of the most consequential decisions a homeowner can make. A skilled, honest contractor can transform your home on time and on budget. A poor fit — or worse, an unqualified one — can leave you with incomplete work, unexpected costs, and legal headaches. The good news: most problems are preventable when you ask the right questions before anyone picks up a pen.
This checklist is designed to give you a structured framework for interviewing contractors, comparing bids, and spotting red flags early. Whether you're planning a kitchen remodel, an addition, or a major repair, the process of vetting candidates should feel like an informed conversation — not a guessing game. For more context on what to expect from the broader contractor relationship, see our guide on talking to contractors before work begins.
State Contractor License Lookup
Used to independently verify that a contractor holds an active, valid license in your state before hiring.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A document from the contractor's insurer confirming current general liability and workers' comp coverage — request before signing anything.
Written Bid Template or Scope of Work Outline
Helps you compare bids apples-to-apples by ensuring each contractor accounts for the same line items.
Contractor Reference Call Notes Sheet
A simple form to record answers from reference calls so you can compare contractors consistently.
Local Building Department Contact Info
Used to confirm which permits your project requires and to verify that your contractor has pulled them correctly.
The Checklist: Questions to Ask Every Contractor
Work through these questions across your interviews. Take notes so you can compare candidates side by side. Inconsistent or evasive answers are as informative as clear ones.
Credentials & Legal Standing
Experience & Project Fit
Subcontractors & Crew
Permits & Code Compliance
Timeline & Communication
Payment & Financial Terms
Never Skip the License and Insurance Verification
Asking for credentials isn't enough — you must verify them independently. Contact your state's contractor licensing board directly and call the insurance provider listed on the certificate of insurance. Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor can leave you personally liable for on-site injuries and may jeopardize your homeowner's insurance coverage if something goes wrong.
Reading the Bid and the Contract
Once you've narrowed your list, scrutinize the written bid carefully. A legitimate bid should itemize labor, materials, permits, and contingency allowances separately — not as a single lump sum. Vague bids make it easy for scope to expand and costs to creep.
Before signing, confirm the contract includes: a detailed scope of work, a payment schedule tied to project milestones, start and estimated completion dates, a process for handling change orders, and warranties on workmanship. Verbal promises are not enforceable. If something was agreed to in conversation, it belongs in the written contract.
Payment structure is a meaningful signal of professionalism. Industry guidance generally cautions against paying more than 10–15% upfront as a deposit. Larger draws should be tied to completed, verifiable milestones. A contractor who demands half the total cost before work begins warrants additional scrutiny.
This same discipline — asking detailed questions before committing — applies across major financial decisions. Our checklist for preparing before a dealership visit shows how a structured approach prevents surprises in other high-stakes purchases as well.