{"id":71762,"date":"2021-03-03T16:20:05","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T00:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?page_id=71762"},"modified":"2021-03-04T13:02:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T21:02:12","slug":"questions-to-ask-a-contractor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-a-contractor\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot that goes into any home project, no matter the size. From the initial design phase, obtaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/when-do-i-need-a-building-permit\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">permits<\/a>, and the execution &#8211; the process can be complex. With so many decisions involved in a home project, it\u2019s essential to take the time to carefully choose your contractor. Having a team that you can trust and see yourself working well with over the course of the project will help make the process a breeze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you prepare for your upcoming home project, we thought who better to ask than the experts themselves? We reached out to professionals in the remodeling and construction industry &#8211; all the way from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11203\/CA\/Los-Angeles\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles, CA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.ca\/on\/toronto\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toronto, ON<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; for the top questions to ask a contractor before deciding who is best for your project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-71764 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698.jpg\" alt=\"white and black home exterior\" width=\"1200\" height=\"762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-1024x650.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-236x150.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-992x630.jpg 992w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions1-e1614816428698-472x300.jpg 472w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Here are 13 questions to ask before hiring a contractor:<\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1) Ask yourself if the project calls for a full-service remodeling contractor or if a handyman can do the job<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a glorified handyman to take on a complex project can be disastrous. The difference is professionalism. If your project involves more than just minor repairs, or you&#8217;re doing more than just updating finishes (such as tile or paint), you want a bona-fide remodeling contractor. Ask the company you&#8217;re considering &#8220;What type(s) of work do you specialize in? Are you registered\/licensed, and do you belong to a professional industry group like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or BBB? Show me your work, give me some references, and tell me about your processes&#8221;. Adding these items to the list of questions to ask a contractor will help you decide if they&#8217;re a good fit for your project. &#8211; Michael Hill, owner, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/yourhomeremodeled.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CCH Design<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | Remodel of Meridian Idaho<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2) Do you handle all phases of the project, from design to construction?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll want to hire someone who can walk you through the entire process, from helping with the design and renderings, to acquiring necessary permits, to executing the work professionally. Working with the same company throughout the entire project keeps the process smooth and seamless, as opposed to hiring different people throughout every phase. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/yoursoncontracting.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yourson Contracting<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3) What is your creative process like?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to get the beautiful end result that you\u2019ve been dreaming of, it\u2019s important to ask this question before hiring your professional. Not only will it allow you to gauge what their design knowledge, experience, and process is like, but it will help you understand your level of involvement in the process as well. A collaborative and detailed creative process will allow you to have more design input and will result in a more complete set of floor plans and specifications; ensuring your project stays on schedule and on budget. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mapeterson.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MA Peterson Designbuild, Inc.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4) Have you had any projects similar to this? And what obstacles did you have to overcome?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This question gives the homeowner a chance to see how much experience the contractor has with a similar project. With construction obstacles coming up constantly, giving examples of issues can be unnerving but it can give the homeowner confidence knowing how the contractor resolved an issue. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sjjanis.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The S.J. Janis Company<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5) Can you provide me with local references and examples of your work?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ascertaining the quality of a contractor&#8217;s work will not only give you proof of their skills, but it will also help you save money in the long run. References show that your contractor gets the job done without workmanship issues. Calling in someone new to fix a previous contractor&#8217;s mistakes will ultimately cost a lot more money so it&#8217;s best to choose someone with a good track record. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/diybunker.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIY Bunker<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-71765 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568.jpg\" alt=\"updated kitchen stainless steel\" width=\"1200\" height=\"774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-233x150.jpg 233w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-977x630.jpg 977w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions2-e1614816749568-465x300.jpg 465w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6) Do you offer a warranty?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the critical questions to ask your contractor. After your project is complete and the dust has settled, it\u2019s important to know whether or not your contractor will stand behind their work in the event of a failure or malfunction. Ask your contractor for specific details on their warranty policy, including what is and isn\u2019t covered and how long the warranty period will last. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/straightlinedr.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Straight Line Design &amp; Remodeling<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7) Can we visit a couple of your previous projects?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What better way to examine a contractor&#8217;s work than to see it with your own eyes? Seeing is believing and your home renovation project shouldn&#8217;t be any different. When a contractor has built strong relationships with their clients, this is often something that they can arrange. If your contractor is unable to show you the quality of their work or provide contact information for past homeowners, you should take that as a sign to find a more credible contractor to work with. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.2x2construction.ca\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2&#215;2 Construction<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8) How many projects do you have going on and what is the timeline for our project?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an important question to ask a contractor to make sure the contractor isn\u2019t too busy to take on the homeowner\u2019s project. The homeowner will also want to know when the contractor will start and complete the project, and what the project schedule will be. This way the homeowner can be prepared and plan around the construction. This will also help the homeowner be ready for any materials they are providing to be on site for when the contractor needs them, avoiding delays. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.losangelesrenovations.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AGA Construction Inc.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9) Can you tell me about an issue you&#8217;ve dealt with recently where something went wrong on a project and how you handled it?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interview your contractor as you would interview a prospective employee by asking open-ended questions. Hearing stories about how they&#8217;ve overcome obstacles in the past will provide valuable insight on how they would handle issues on your project. It will also open up a discussion around expectations for communication going forward. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.renovatehappy.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Synergy Design &amp; Construction<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-71763 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678.jpg\" alt=\"updated bathroom charcoal wood\" width=\"1200\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-1024x666.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-231x150.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-969x630.jpg 969w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Contractor-Questions3-e1614816484678-462x300.jpg 462w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10) Will there be a dedicated team working on my project?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As we navigate home renovations during COVID-19, this might be one of the most important questions to cover with your contractor.\u00a0 When it comes to who will be on the job &#8211; consistency is key. It\u2019s normal for contracting companies to be working on multiple projects at once, so make sure to verify that there will be a dedicated team on your project. If this is not an option, make sure the company goes over the safety precautions that have been put in place due to COVID-19. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penncd.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Penn Construction &amp; Design<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11) Do you anticipate any challenges on this project?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home improvement projects aren&#8217;t always straightforward. Before agreeing to work with a contractor or handyman, be sure to ask what issues could be discovered along the way directly. This will help you decide if you need to hire a professional and set proper expectations about costs and timeline. Dealing with surprises in the middle of a project is miserable. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.homesandland.com\/diy-projects-when-to-ask-for-help\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homes &amp; Land<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12) Ask yourself: can I live with this remodeling team in my home for the next 2, 3 or even 6 months?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeowners should hire the company they feel most comfortable with. I like to believe we are in the relationship-building business and we do a lot of remodeling on the side. Building trust and rapport with clients is just as important as building good projects. &#8211;<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.clearycompany.com\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13) Who is responsible for cleanup?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This little detail is often forgotten and easily overlooked, especially when the job at hand takes less than a few hours. Regardless of the job\u2019s scope, be sure to ask a contractor at the beginning who is responsible for the mess and how your space will be protected. Let\u2019s face it &#8211; contractors aren\u2019t known for being tidy, but you can be sure your contract covers all aspects of your project; so you&#8217;re not stuck holding the bag (the garbage bag that is). &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/oddjob.ca\/\" rel=\"no follow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OddJob.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s a lot that goes into any home project, no matter the size. From the initial design phase, obtaining permits, and the execution &#8211; the process can be complex. With so many decisions involved in a home project, it\u2019s essential to take the time to carefully choose your contractor. Having a team that you can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":523,"featured_media":71763,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"coauthors":[31388],"class_list":["post-71762","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor - Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From permits, experience, number of current projects, and cleanup - here are 13 important questions to ask a contractor before hiring them.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-a-contractor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From permits, experience, number of current projects, and cleanup - here are 13 important questions to ask a contractor before hiring them.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-a-contractor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; 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