Hiring
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
A useful hiring conversation is not an interrogation. It is a way for you and the contractor to confirm that you understand the same project, can communicate clearly, and know what will happen before, during, and after the work.
By Hands2Hands Published and last updated
Ask about relevant experience
Focus on experience with work similar to your project, not just total years in business. A contractor may be highly experienced in one type of installation and less familiar with another. Describe your property and ask what comparable work they have handled.
You can also ask who will perform the work, whether subcontractors are expected, and who will be your day-to-day contact.
- Have you completed projects with a similar scope or property type?
- What challenges do you expect with this project?
- Who will supervise the work and answer questions?
Confirm the scope and materials
Ask the contractor to explain what is included, what is excluded, and what assumptions shaped the quote. Discuss who selects and purchases materials, whether product substitutions need your approval, and how deliveries or returns will be handled.
If the project could reveal concealed damage or additional work, ask how the contractor will pause, explain the issue, and obtain approval before continuing.
Discuss schedule and the work site
- Start and duration: What is the expected start window, and how long should the work take?
- Daily routine: What hours will the crew work, and will someone need to be home?
- Protection and cleanup: How will occupied areas, landscaping, furniture, or finishes be protected?
- Delays: How will weather, inspections, material availability, or other trades affect the plan?
Ask about permits, licenses, and insurance when applicable
Requirements vary by trade, project, and jurisdiction. Ask whether the work requires a permit or a particular professional license, who is responsible for obtaining it, and how inspections will be scheduled. Confirm important requirements with the relevant local or state authority.
Ask for current license and insurance information when it is relevant to the job, then verify it with the issuing organization or insurer. A Hands2Hands verification badge is useful context, but it does not replace your project-specific checks.
Understand payment and change expectations
Before hiring, understand the requested deposit, progress payments, final payment, and accepted payment methods. Ask what documentation you will receive and what conditions must be met before each payment is due.
Ask how change orders are handled. A clear process should describe the additional or reduced work, the price and schedule effect, and how you approve the change before the work proceeds.
Set communication expectations
Agree on who will provide updates, how often you should expect them, and the best way to raise a concern. If references, reviews, or photos of past work are important to your decision, ask for examples relevant to the project you are planning.
Pay attention to the clarity of the answers as well as their content. You should finish the conversation knowing the scope, next step, main contact, schedule assumptions, and how changes will be handled.
Ready to start your project?
Post your project for free and compare responses from local pros.
Post a project