Ask Your General Contractor These 5 Questions Before You Hire Them

You're ready to build a home or start a major home renovation. Who do you choose to do the work? Most people don't have a general contractor on speed dial. Doing your research before hiring a contractor can help you sort through the options.

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You can get a general idea of what a contractor offers by looking at their website, but it's important to dig deeper to make sure they'll deliver high-quality work. Interviewing the candidates helps you compare them and find a contractor that works for you. Start with this list of questions to ask contractor companies. 

1. What Are Your Credentials and Experience?

General contractors can have a wide range of backgrounds, and you won't always know what those details are unless you ask. Find out how many years of experience the contractor has to make sure they're knowledgeable, trustworthy, and have a reputable track record in the area. With more years in business, the contractor is also likely to have effective systems in place to handle projects efficiently. 

You might also ask about their specialties. Do they normally do residential or commercial work? Do they have extensive experience in a certain type of building or construction? If you have a unique project or concerns, customize this question to focus on that to make sure they can handle the work proficiently. 

2. Do You Use Subcontractors?

It's common for general contractors to hire subcontractors for specialty areas on a larger project. Find out if the company uses subcontractors and how they choose them. If they work with the same subcontractors on every job, ask for the names of those companies so you can research them as well. This helps you feel comfortable with the people who'll be working in your home. It's also helpful to ask if you can expect the same team to work on your entire project. You might feel more comfortable having the same people completing the work rather than a rotating team. 

Whether or not the contractor uses subcontractors, find out how they monitor the team. For instance, they might have project managers on-site who directly supervise the work. 

3. What Is the Payment Schedule?

You typically pay for the work as you go at set intervals rather than paying everything up front or at the end. If the contractor wants you to pay in advance, it could be a red flag. It's difficult to get that money back if the contractor doesn't complete the work or fails to perform to the agreed-upon standards. Asking about the payment schedule also prepares you for your financial obligations. 

Along with the payment schedule, you might ask about the general project timeline. If you're paying on a set schedule, you want to make sure the project is running as expected. Ask when the contractor can start on your project and if any other projects could delay that. You can also ask how the contractor handles changes that might happen to the project timeline if they fall behind. This helps you anticipate delays and what to expect. 

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4. How Do You Protect My Property and Your Supplies?

You're trusting the contractor with your home, which is likely one of your most valuable possessions. You want to make sure they'll protect it as they work. If you're hiring for a remodel, ask how they'll protect your belongings, landscaping and other property features.

You also want to keep your property as neat as possible. Ask how they clean up after each workday and where they store their tools and supplies. Making sure they're put away and secure can give you peace of mind. 

5. What Types of Insurance Do You Carry, and Are You Licensed?

One of the most important questions to ask a contractor relates to insurance and licensure. Reputable general contractors should be fully insured and licensed to protect themselves, their employees and you. Your state or city might require certain types of licenses or other credentials to operate in the area, so you want to ensure the company complies.

Contractors should have liability and worker's compensation insurance for financial protection. Without it, you could take on a major financial risk. Ask to see the contractor's certificate of insurance as additional proof rather than just getting verbal confirmation. 

As you're talking, think of other questions to ask general contractors based on their responses. This can help you expand on what they say and clarify points of confusion. With the right questions to ask contractors, you can narrow down the options to find your best choice.