Hiring a contractor

Learn the steps to take and questions to ask when hiring a contractor.

Hiring the right contractor will save you time, money and frustration. You are looking for someone who communicates well and provides excellent value for your money. Follow these steps to help you find and choose the best candidate for your home renovation or repair project.

1. Compile a List of Contractors

Many people search for local contractors in a business directory or on the Internet. We recommend that you also ask for recommendations and referrals from

your friends and family who’ve had similar work done
local homebuilders’ or renovators’ associations
local building supply stores
the municipal building department

2. Conduct In-person Interviews

This is your chance to get to know the candidates and their work. Take notes at each meeting so you can compare responses and narrow your list.

Questions may include the following:

How long have you been in business?
What kind of work is your specialty?
Do you have experience working on similar projects?
Will you use your own crew or hire a subcontractor for part of it?
What work are you or your subcontractors licensed to do?
Do you anticipate any problems? How will you deal with them?
What kind of work schedule will you follow?
How and when do you clean up? How do you deal with fine dust?
Do you have workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
Will you get the required work permits for my project? What are they?
What kind of warranty do you provide and what does it cover?
Do you provide a written contract?
May I contact some of your past clients as references?

A contractor who can’t or won’t answer your questions may not be the right person for the job. Never sign anything or pay any money until you’ve decided who you want to hire.

3. Check the Contractors’ References

To finalize your shortlist, call the references for each contractor. Ask about their experience with the contractor and about the work itself.

Questions may include the following:

Did the contractor keep you informed throughout the project?
Were you satisfied with the quality of work?
Were there any problems?
Did the project finish on schedule?
Did the contractor stay within the originally quoted budget?
Would you use this contractor again?

You should also check your local Better Business Bureau to ensure each contractor is a member in good standing. This is also the time to ask your municipal building department if the work can be done and whether any special permits or zoning approvals are required.

4. Request Detailed Estimates

Be specific about your vision for the project when asking for a detailed written estimate. What kind of finishes do you want? Do you want a roof that will last for 10 years, or 30? The cost of a project can vary considerably depending on the type, quality and brand of materials.

Three detailed estimates are usually enough for homeowners to make an informed decision.

Estimates should include

a description of the work required to complete the job
how long the project will take
how much the project will cost

Review the estimates to make sure everything you asked for is included. Assume that anything not specifically listed in the estimate will involve extra costs and possibly extra time. As such, it’s unwise to simply choose the estimate that offers the lowest price.

5. Ask for a Written Contract

Once you’ve chosen a contractor, make sure you get a written contract. This will protect you from losing your deposit, ending up with low-quality work or paying more than you expected. Even if your contractor offers you a discount for paying in cash, it is critical that you still have a written contract.

The contract should include