Questions you should ask before hiring us.

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring Them

Most contractors try to convince you to hire them.

We’d rather help you make the right decision — even if that decision isn’t us.

Hiring a general contractor is a big decision. It’s emotional. It’s expensive. And if you hire the wrong one, the experience can quickly become stressful and far more costly than expected.

Most homeowners know to ask the basic questions:

Are you licensed?

Are you insured?

Those are good starting points. But if you want a project that runs smoothly, there are better questions to ask before signing a contract.

Below are the questions we believe every homeowner should ask any contractor they’re considering.

Can You Provide Your Active License and Insurance?

Don’t just ask if a contractor is licensed and insured — ask to see the documentation.

A professional contractor should be able to provide:

• Active contractor license number
  
  
• General liability insurance
  
  
• Workers’ compensation coverage
  
  

This protects your home, your finances, and anyone working on your property.

A legitimate contractor will never hesitate to provide it.

Who Will Actually Be On My Jobsite?

This question matters more than most homeowners realize.

The person who sells the job isn’t always the person managing the project.

Ask questions like:

• Is the person selling the job also managing the job?
  
  
• Is there a dedicated project manager?
  
  
• Is the labor in-house or subcontracted?
  
  

You should also know:

• Who is your main point of contact?
  
  
• Who supervises quality?
  
  
• Who do you call if something goes wrong?
  

What Exactly Is Included in This Price?

One of the biggest problems in remodeling comes from vague estimates.

We were hired by a homeowner in Plymouth, Minnesota for exactly this reason.

Another contractor had sent them a proposal that was essentially just an email with a price at the bottom. No breakdown. No details. No explanation of what was included.

Our estimate, on the other hand, was fully itemized. It outlined the scope, materials, labor, and allowances so the homeowner knew exactly what they were paying for.

That level of transparency builds trust — and prevents surprises later.

A proper estimate should clarify things like:

• Permits
  
  
• Demo and disposal
  
  
• Allowances
  
  
• Cleanup
  
  
• Project management
  
  

If it isn’t clearly written in the estimate, it often becomes a change order later.

How Do You Handle Change Orders?

Change orders happen on almost every remodeling project. The key is how they’re handled.

Ask your contractor:

• Are change orders priced before the work is done?
  
  
• Do I review and approve them in writing?
  
  
• Is there a clear paper trail?
  
  

Be cautious of contractors who say things like:

“We’ll just figure it out later.”

That’s often how projects go over budget.

What Happens If Hidden Problems Are Found?

Older homes often hide surprises.

It’s common to uncover issues like:

• Water damage
  
  
• Framing problems
  
  
• Outdated wiring
  
  
• Plumbing that isn’t up to code
  
  

A professional contractor should have a clear system for how these situations are handled.

Ask:

• How are discoveries communicated?
  
  
• How quickly are solutions priced?
  
  
• Do you stop work until approval is given?
  
  

You should never feel like work is being done without your approval.

What Is the Timeline — and Why?

A timeline is important, but the reason behind it matters even more.

Ask contractors:

• How did you calculate this timeline?
  
  
• What factors could delay the project?
  
  
• How are schedules managed?
  
  
• How many projects do you run at once?
  
  

Realistic scheduling shows a contractor understands project management, not just construction.

How Are Payments Structured?

Professional contractors operate with clear payment structures.

You should understand:

• The deposit amount
  
  
• The payment schedule
  
  
• What triggers each payment
  
  
• Final payment terms
  
  

Payments should correspond with progress milestones, not vague dates.

What Warranty Do You Provide?

Contractors who take pride in their work stand behind it.

At Redwood Legacy Builders, our warranty structure is straightforward:

• 1 year on workmanship
  
  
• 2 years on mechanical items
  
  
• 10 years on structural components
  
  

We believe homeowners deserve confidence that the work will last — and if something isn’t right, it will be taken care of.

Can I See a Detailed Contract?

A professional contract should clearly outline:

• Project scope
  
  
• Materials
  
  
• Allowances
  
  
• Payment schedule
  
  
• Change order process
  
  
• Insurance documentation
  
  

Clear documentation protects both the homeowner and the contractor.

What Makes You Different From the Lowest Bid?

This is one of the most revealing questions you can ask.

Price matters — but the cheapest contractor often cuts corners somewhere.

Sometimes that shows up in ways homeowners don’t expect.

We once heard from a homeowner whose previous contractor sent a subcontractor into their house unsupervised. At one point the subcontractor had wandered into the kids’ room and helped himself to the kids’ candy.

It sounds small, but it says a lot about professional standards and oversight.

For the record — we don’t eat your kids’ food.

But more importantly, we believe your home should be treated with respect and professionalism at every level.

Hiring a Contractor Shouldn’t Feel Like Pressure

You shouldn’t feel pressured when hiring a remodeler.

You should feel informed.

If a contractor is confident in their pricing, craftsmanship, and systems, they won’t avoid these questions — they’ll welcome them.

At Redwood Legacy Builders, our philosophy is simple:

Excellence in every detail.

That means clear estimates, professional communication, organized systems, and craftsmanship we’re proud to stand behind.

The goal isn’t to hire the fastest contractor.

And it’s definitely not to hire the cheapest.

The goal is to hire the right contractor for your home and your project.

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