Homeowner guide · 10 min read
21 questions to ask a general contractor before hiring
Use these questions to compare contractor credentials, relevant experience, scope, schedule, payments, permits, subcontractors, changes, warranties, and communication.
Published by Local Renovation Pros · Updated
Credentials and fit
- 1. What exact legal business name and license number will be on the contract?
- 2. Which license classification covers this scope?
- 3. Who will supervise the job day to day?
- 4. How many similar projects have you completed recently?
- 5. May I contact recent clients with comparable projects?
- 6. What insurance applies, and how can I verify it?
Scope and price
- 7. What drawings or specifications do you need to price accurately?
- 8. Which products are fixed and which are allowances?
- 9. What is explicitly excluded?
- 10. What hidden conditions are plausible in this house?
- 11. How will discoveries and owner changes be priced and approved?
- 12. Does the proposal include protection, cleanup, disposal, and closeout?
People, schedule, and site operations
- 13. Which work will employees perform and which work will subcontractors perform?
- 14. What is the realistic start window and expected duration?
- 15. What long-lead selections could delay the job?
- 16. What hours, access, parking, storage, utility shutoffs, and security arrangements do you expect?
- 17. How often will I receive progress and schedule updates?
Permits, payments, and completion
- 18. Who will obtain permits, respond to corrections, and schedule inspections?
- 19. How does each payment milestone relate to completed work or delivered materials?
- 20. What written workmanship warranty is included, and who handles manufacturer claims?
- 21. What documents will I receive at closeout?
How to evaluate the answers
Strong answers are specific, consistent with the written proposal, and candid about uncertainty. A contractor does not need to promise that nothing will go wrong; they should explain how unknowns, decisions, documentation, and communication will be managed.
- Verify the official license record immediately before signing
- Call references and ask about changes, schedule, cleanup, and post-project service
- Compare scope sheets line by line
- Resolve verbal promises in the contract
- Do not let an expiring discount replace due diligence
Red flags that deserve a pause
A single awkward answer is not proof of wrongdoing. Patterns matter. Pause when the identity on the proposal does not match the license record, the contractor resists permits that the jurisdiction requires, the payment schedule runs far ahead of work, important promises remain verbal, or pressure prevents careful review.
Frequently asked questions
How many contractor bids should I get?
There is no magic number, but CSLB's homeowner checklist recommends getting at least three bids. Give bidders the same information so differences are meaningful.
Is the lowest contractor bid usually best?
Not necessarily. Compare included work, allowances, exclusions, products, schedule assumptions, permit responsibility, and warranty. A vague low bid can become expensive through changes.
When should I verify a California contractor license?
Check the official CSLB record during evaluation and again immediately before signing, because status, bond, workers' compensation, and personnel information can change.