Embarking on a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is an exciting venture, but choosing the right contractor is crucial to ensuring a successful experience. Hiring a contractor is a significant investment, and asking the right questions can help you make an informed decision and avoid potential pitfalls. Here are some essential questions you should ask your contractor before hiring them for your next remodeling project:

1. Can I speak with one of your former clients?

Asking for references from previous clients is one of the most important steps in vetting a new contractor. Speak with a few past clients to gain insights into their experience with this contractor, the contractor’s professionalism, and the quality of their work. You may want to ask these references to see photos of their completed project. Ask how the contractor handled unexpected challenges and whether they would hire them again.

2. What is your timeline for this project?

Understanding the expected timeline of your project helps you plan and manage your expectations. Discuss potential factors that could impact the schedule and ask them what could cause the project to take longer than expected (such as delays in procuring materials or finding a problem after demolition). It’s important to know how they will handle these setbacks in the projected timeline.

3. Are you working on multiple projects simultaneously?

Knowing whether or not your contractor is working on multiple projects at once simply helps set your expectations. Multiple jobs means the contractor may not be available every day or may prioritize other jobs ahead of yours. This is okay, but it’s important you understand this before the work starts.

4. Who will be working on my project?

Clarify whether the contractor will handle the work themselves, use subcontractors, rely on their own team, or some combination of the three. If they use subcontractors, ask them who those subcontractors are. Since they will be the ones actually performing the work, it’s important you research those companies as well and see what their work and reviews are like. If they plan to use an in-house team or subcontractors, ask them how communication will be managed between all parties when there are questions, problems or differences in opinion.

5. Will there be people on site working consecutive days, or will there be breaks between progress?

This may be answered after asking about the timeline or who will be working on the project, but if not, be sure to find out who will be at your home and when. This helps you plan your days around when the work will be happening. It also sets your expectations so you know if the contractor isn’t there one day, he isn’t simply taking an unplanned day off.

6. Can you provide a detailed estimate? What are the payment terms and schedule?

You first want to see a transparent, itemized and detailed estimate outlining the scope of the project, including the cost of materials and permitting fees. This is important so you don’t get hit with hidden costs at the end of the project. The contractor should be able to explain what additional costs may be added later to cover unexpected expenses.

Once you’re happy with the estimate, ask them what the payment terms will be. Both parties need to have a clear expectation on when payments will be made and how much they will be. Understand what payment methods are accepted and if there are additional fees (or discounts) for one payment method over another.

7. How do you handle change orders? What are some possible examples and will you inform me of the work and get my consent before issuing a change order?

Remodeling projects often involve unexpected changes, which is normal. Knowing how your contractor handles unexpected modifications to the scope of work ensures clarity and avoids conflicts. Have them give you some possible scenarios that could happen and how a change order is documented and approved before new work is started. Ideally, you want to be able to approve all change orders before they begin the work. You will want to understand their process of quoting additional work not initially included in the estimate.

8. Do I buy the materials or do you?

It’s important to understand who is in charge of purchasing the materials. If the contractor is responsible for purchasing materials, be sure you know what brands they use, what the warranty on those materials are (if any), whether you can request a specific brand of material, and if you can see examples of the materials before they start.

9. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Always make sure your contractor has the proper licensing and insurance to perform the necessary work legally and safely in your town or county. Licensing requirements vary by location, so check your local regulations for exact details. A contractor having both general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance is a must.

Also, know what permits may be required for the type of work you are getting done and make sure the contractor tells you about those permits. It could be a red flag if they don’t mention permitting when it is required. If a permit is required, it’s important to know who is responsible for getting the permit before work begins.

Other considerations you may want to ask:

• Do they offer a cancellation policy?
• How will you protect my home during construction? What happens if you damage something that isn’t part of the project?
• Who is responsible for a post-job inspection? What happens if that inspection fails?
• Do you offer any warranties or on-going support?
• What is your process for ensuring quality during the project? (This is important if the contractor is not performing the work themselves)

By asking these questions before signing any contract with a new contractor, you’ll be better equipped to choose one who aligns with your goals, budget, and expectations. The right contractor will not only deliver a beautifully remodeled kitchen or bathroom but also make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. At Good Morning Construction, we strive to do both on each any every project we do.