9 Best Questions to Ask Contractors Before Hiring

Construction workers on job site

Hiring the wrong contractor is expensive. Change orders, delays, quality issues, and project failures trace back to poor contractor selection. The right questions during vetting surface problems before you've signed a contract—when switching is still easy. Here are nine questions that separate qualified contractors from risky ones.

Before You Interview: Verify the Basics

Before detailed conversations, confirm baseline qualifications:

License: Valid contractor license for the work type and jurisdiction
Insurance: General liability and workers' compensation with adequate limits
Bonding: Payment and performance bonds for larger projects
Business standing: Active business registration, years in operation

If contractors can't provide this documentation promptly, they're not ready for consideration.

The 9 Essential Questions

1. Can You Walk Me Through Your Last Three Similar Projects?

Why this matters: Past performance predicts future performance. Projects similar to yours reveal the contractor's relevant experience and typical outcomes.

What to listen for:

Specific details about scope, challenges, and outcomes
Budget and schedule performance
How problems were identified and resolved
References you can actually contact

Red flags:

Vague descriptions lacking specifics
Can't name specific similar projects
Blames clients or circumstances for all problems
Reluctant to provide references

2. What Is Your Current Workload and Capacity?

Why this matters: Overextended contractors deliver poor results. If they're juggling too many projects, yours will suffer from divided attention and resource constraints.

What to probe:

How many active projects do you have right now?
What percentage of your capacity is committed?
Who specifically would manage my project?
What happens if another large project comes in?

Red flags:

Evasive answers about current workload
Key personnel assigned to multiple projects
Willing to take anything regardless of capacity
History of project delays attributed to "resource constraints"

3. How Do You Handle Unforeseen Conditions?

Why this matters: Every project has surprises. How contractors handle them determines whether surprises become minor adjustments or major disputes.

What to listen for:

Clear process for identifying and communicating unexpected conditions
Fair approach to pricing change orders
Examples of resolving surprises on past projects
Willingness to collaborate on solutions

Red flags:

"Everything is a change order" mentality
Unwillingness to absorb any unforeseen costs
History of contentious change order disputes
No clear process for handling discoveries

4. Who Will Actually Be On Site Managing This Project?

Why this matters: You're hiring a team, not a company name. The specific project manager, superintendent, and key crew members determine your outcomes.

What to probe:

Name the project manager and superintendent assigned to this project
What other projects are they currently managing?
What's their background and experience with similar work?
How long have they been with your company?
What happens if they leave or get reassigned?

Red flags:

Can't name specific personnel
Key people are already stretched across multiple projects
High turnover in project management roles
Vague answers about who will be on site

5. What's Your Typical Change Order Rate on Projects Like This?

Why this matters: Change order history indicates how accurately contractors estimate, how clearly they define scope, and how aggressively they pursue extras.

What to probe:

What percentage of contract value typically comes from change orders?
What's the most common reason for change orders on your projects?
How do you price change orders?
Can I see change order logs from your similar projects?

Red flags:

Change order rates consistently above 15%
Blames all change orders on owners or designers
Unwilling to share historical data
Defensive responses to this question

6. How Do You Communicate Progress and Issues?

Why this matters: Communication breakdowns cause delays and surprises. Understanding communication style upfront sets expectations and reveals project management discipline.

What to listen for:

Regular progress reporting (weekly minimum)
Clear escalation process for issues
Use of project management tools for documentation
Accessibility for questions and concerns

Red flags:

No standard reporting process
Communication only when there are problems
Relies entirely on informal communication
No documentation trail

7. What Subcontractors Would You Use, and How Do You Manage Them?

Why this matters: Most renovation work is performed by subcontractors. The general contractor's sub relationships and management practices directly affect quality and coordination.

What to probe:

Which specific subcontractors would you use for major trades?
How long have you worked with them?
How do you qualify and monitor subcontractor performance?
What happens if a subcontractor isn't performing?

Red flags:

Uses whoever is cheapest or available
Can't name specific subcontractors
No formal subcontractor qualification process
History of subcontractor-caused delays or quality issues

8. What Does Your Warranty Cover, and How Do You Handle Callbacks?

Why this matters: Project completion isn't the end. Warranty issues and callbacks reveal contractor quality and customer service commitment.

What to listen for:

Clear warranty terms (typically 1 year for workmanship)
Defined process for reporting and resolving warranty issues
Response time commitments
Track record of honoring warranties

Red flags:

Vague warranty terms
No clear callback process
History of warranty disputes
Disappears after final payment

9. Can You Provide Financial References and Evidence of Stability?

Why this matters: Contractors who can't meet payroll or pay suppliers create project chaos—liens, work stoppages, and incomplete work. Financial stability matters.

What to probe:

Bank and trade references
Financial statements for larger projects
History of liens or claims from suppliers/subcontractors
How long in business under current ownership

Red flags:

Reluctant to provide financial references
History of liens or payment disputes
Very new business without track record
Requires excessive upfront payment (more than 10%)

Beyond the Questions: Reference Checks

Questions reveal how contractors describe themselves. References reveal how they actually perform. For every serious candidate:

Contact at least 3 references for similar projects:

Did the project finish on budget? On schedule?
How did the contractor handle change orders?
Were there quality issues, and how were they resolved?
Would you hire them again?

Ask references these follow-up questions:

What was the biggest challenge on your project, and how did they handle it?
What would you do differently if you hired them again?
How responsive were they to questions and concerns?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many contractors should I interview?

Three to five contractors provides enough comparison without overwhelming the process. Fewer than three limits options; more than five creates evaluation fatigue without proportionally better decisions.

Should I always go with the lowest bid?

No. The lowest bidder may be missing scope, underestimating complexity, or planning to make it up in change orders. Evaluate total expected cost, track record, and risk—not just bid price.

What's the best way to document contractor interviews?

Use a consistent scorecard across all candidates. Document specific answers to key questions. Keep records of reference check conversations. This documentation supports your decision and provides evidence if problems arise later.

How do I verify the answers contractors give?

Cross-reference with references. Ask for documentation (insurance certificates, project logs, financial statements). Check license status online. Trust but verify.