Hiring a general contractor is one of the biggest financial decisions a homeowner makes. You’re handing someone access to your home, your money, and weeks — sometimes months — of your life. And yet most people walk into that first conversation completely unprepared, nodding along as the contractor sets the terms.
That’s what this guide is for. The right questions, asked at the right time, shift the power dynamic. They signal to the contractor that you’re an informed client. They surface problems before work begins. And they give you a paper trail if something goes wrong.
Here are the essential questions to ask a general contractor before you sign anything — organized by the stage of your project.
“Most homeowners only think to ask about price. But price is the last thing that matters if the contractor isn’t licensed, isn’t insured, or disappears after the deposit clears. The questions you ask before the contract is signed are the only real protection you have — once work starts, your leverage drops to almost zero.”
— John D’ermani, licensed general contractor and construction project manager with over 30 years of residential renovation experience in many regions
Table of Contents
Before You Even Invite Them to Quote
Not every contractor deserves a walkthrough of your home. These questions help you screen candidates before they set foot on your property.
Are you licensed to work in this region or state?
Licensing requirements vary by region, but in most regions, general contractors must hold a valid licence to perform work above a certain dollar threshold. Ask directly — and then verify. Most regional licensing bodies have public databases where you can confirm a contractor’s status in under two minutes.
A good answer is a licence number, offered without hesitation. A red flag is vagueness: “We’re working on getting our licence” or “We don’t need one for this type of job” should prompt follow-up or disqualification.
What a good answer looks like: A specific licence number, the issuing body, and an offer to let you verify it.
Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation?
These are two separate things, and you need both.
Liability insurance protects your property if the contractor’s work causes damage. Workers’ compensation covers their crew if someone is injured on your site. Without it, you could be liable for a worker’s injuries on your property.
Ask for a certificate of insurance, not just confirmation that they’re covered. A legitimate contractor will email it to you within 24 hours. If they stall or resist, move on.
What a good answer looks like: A current certificate of insurance listing your project address, with adequate coverage limits for the scope of work.
How long have you been in business under this company name?
This question does more than ask about experience — it catches contractors who have dissolved and restarted companies to shed negative reviews or unpaid judgements. A contractor who has operated under the same name for five or more years has a track record you can actually research.
What a good answer looks like: A consistent business history with the same name, or a clear explanation for any change.
Have you done projects similar to mine in the last 12 months?
General experience matters. Recent, relevant experience matters more. A contractor who built three custom kitchens last year is a stronger choice for your kitchen renovation than one who mostly does commercial work.
What a good answer looks like: Specific examples — ideally with photos — of comparable projects completed recently.
When Getting a Quote
The quoting stage is where most homeowners lose money. These questions protect your budget before you agree to anything.
Is this a fixed-price quote or an estimate?
These are not the same thing. A fixed-price (or lump-sum) quote locks in the total cost. An estimate is a starting point that can climb significantly once work begins. If your contractor is quoting an estimate, ask what conditions would cause the price to change and by how much.
For a complete breakdown of what a solid contractor quote should include, see our guide: What Should a Contractor Quote Include?
What a good answer looks like: A clear distinction between what is fixed and what is subject to change, with written documentation of both.
What is and isn’t included in this quote?
Exclusions are where budgets blow up. A low quote often wins the job because it excludes things the homeowner assumed were included — disposal fees, permits, finishing materials, touch-up paint, cleanup. Get a written list of what falls outside the quote before you sign.
What a good answer looks like: A detailed scope of work that explicitly lists exclusions alongside inclusions.
What is your payment schedule?
Legitimate contractors do not ask for full payment upfront. A reasonable schedule ties payments to milestones: a deposit to secure the start date, a payment when rough work is complete, and a final payment once the job is done to your satisfaction.
A standard deposit runs between 10–25% depending on project size and material costs. Anything above that warrants scrutiny.
For a detailed breakdown on deposits, see: Is It Normal to Pay a Deposit to a Contractor?
What a good answer looks like: A written payment schedule tied to specific milestones, with a final payment withheld until completion.
About the Project Plan and Timeline
These questions protect your time and set expectations before a single nail is driven.
Who will actually be doing the work?
“General contractor” is often a coordination role. The person giving you the quote may never set foot on site once work begins. The crew doing your renovation could be a rotating cast of subcontractors, some of whom the GC has never worked with before.
Ask specifically: which parts of the work will be done by your own crew, and which will be subcontracted? For each subcontractor, you have the right to ask the same licensing and insurance questions. For a full guide to this, see: Questions to Ask About Subcontractors Your GC Is Using
What a good answer looks like: A clear breakdown of in-house vs subcontracted work, with named subs and their credentials for major trades.
Will you be on site daily?
Some contractors manage multiple projects simultaneously and rely on a site foreman or senior crew member to run day-to-day operations. That’s not automatically a problem — but you need to know who your point of contact is, how often the GC themselves will check in, and how quickly decisions get made when something unexpected comes up.
What a good answer looks like: A named site supervisor with contact information, and a clear check-in schedule for the GC.
What is the project timeline, and what could delay it?
Get start and completion dates in writing. But also ask what’s most likely to cause delays — material lead times, permit approvals, weather, other jobs on their schedule — so you can plan around realistic contingencies.
For more on this, see: Questions to Ask a Contractor About the Project Timeline
What a good answer looks like: Specific dates in writing, with a realistic list of common delay factors and how they’re handled.
Who pulls the permits?
On any project that requires a permit — additions, structural changes, electrical, plumbing, HVAC — the permit must be pulled by a licensed contractor, not the homeowner. If a contractor suggests you pull your own permits, that’s a serious red flag. It could mean they’re unlicensed, it shifts liability to you, and it may void your home insurance.
For a complete breakdown: Questions to Ask a Contractor About Permits and Inspections
What a good answer looks like: “We pull all required permits and handle all inspections. It’s included in the quote.”
About References and Past Work
A contractor’s history is your best predictor of your future experience.
Can you provide three references from similar projects in the last year?
Most contractors will offer references. The useful detail is in the follow-up: ask for references from projects similar in scope to yours, completed in the last 12 months. Then actually call them.
When you do, ask the former clients: Did the project finish on time? Did the final cost match the quote? Were there issues, and if so, how were they handled? Would you hire them again?
For a full guide to checking references effectively, see: Questions to Ask a General Contractor for References and Past Work
What a good answer looks like: Three contactable references offered readily, for projects comparable to yours.
Do you have photos of completed projects?
A portfolio of completed work tells you a lot about quality, style, and attention to detail. Ask for before-and-after photos when available. If a contractor has been in business for several years but can’t produce photos of their work, that’s a gap worth probing.
About the Contract
Never begin work without a written contract. These are the questions to ask about it.
What does your contract cover if something goes wrong?
A solid contract includes a dispute resolution clause — mediation, arbitration, or litigation — so both parties know what happens if there’s a disagreement. Ask the contractor to walk you through it. If they don’t have a standard contract, or if theirs is a single paragraph, consider having a lawyer review any document before you sign.
What warranty do you offer on your work?
Workmanship warranties and manufacturer warranties on materials are two different things. A contractor’s workmanship warranty covers defects in how the work was done. Material warranties cover the products installed. Ask for both in writing.
For a full breakdown: Questions to Ask a Contractor About Warranties on Their Work
What a good answer looks like: A written workmanship warranty of at least one year, plus documentation of any material warranties passed through from manufacturers.
How do you handle change orders?
A change order is a written amendment to the original contract when scope changes — whether the homeowner adds something, or unexpected conditions are discovered. Change orders should always be in writing, signed by both parties, and agreed upon before any additional work begins.
Ask the contractor how they handle them in practice. A contractor who says “we’ll sort it out at the end” is describing how budget overruns happen.
What a good answer looks like: A clear change order process with written documentation required before any out-of-scope work is started.
Red Flags to Watch For
Asking the right questions will also surface warning signs. Here are the most common ones:
They push for a large upfront deposit. Legitimate contractors have supplier relationships and credit. A demand for 50%+ upfront, especially in cash, is a common indicator of a contractor who may not finish the job.
They can’t produce a licence or insurance certificate. These aren’t things a legitimate contractor needs time to find. If they can’t produce them on request, assume they don’t have them.
They pressure you to sign before you’ve had time to think. This is a sales tactic. A good contractor knows their work will hold up to scrutiny. No legitimate project timeline requires a same-day signature.
The quote is dramatically lower than others. The lowest quote is rarely the best value. It often means something’s been left out, materials will be cut, or the contractor plans to make up margin through change orders.
They suggest you pull your own permits. This should be an immediate disqualifier.
For a complete guide: Red Flags When Hiring a General Contractor
What Good Looks Like
A contractor who earns your confidence will:
- Answer every question without defensiveness
- Offer documentation before you finish asking
- Explain things clearly without talking down to you
- Give you time to review and compare
- Have a contract that protects both parties
The goal isn’t to interrogate — it’s to make an informed decision. Contractors who do excellent work welcome informed clients. They know that a client who understands the process is easier to work with, not harder.
Before You Sign: A Quick Checklist
Use this before committing to any contractor:
- Licence number verified independently
- Certificate of insurance received and confirmed current
- Written quote received with scope, exclusions, and payment schedule
- At least three references contacted and checked
- Timeline and start date confirmed in writing
- Contract reviewed and understood, including the warranty and change order process
- Permits discussed and responsibility confirmed in writing
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a General Contractor About Licensing and Insurance
- Questions to Ask When Getting a Renovation Quote from a Contractor
- Questions to Ask a Contractor About Permits and Inspections
- Questions to Ask About Subcontractors Your GC Is Using
- Questions to Ask a General Contractor for References and Past Work
- What Should a Contractor Quote Include?
- Is It Normal to Pay a Deposit to a Contractor?
- Red Flags When Hiring a General Contractor
- Questions to Ask a Contractor About Warranties on Their Work