The Right Questions to Ask a Remodeling Contractor

When meeting a new contractor for the first time many people ask all the wrong questions including: when can you start? What time do you start in the morning? And the ever popular, how long is this going to take?

These are all good questions, yet not one of them will tell you anything about the contractor. Well maybe when he likes to go to work....

There are some important things to discuss before you learn how many kids he has, or how much it costs to send his daughter to Ballet classes.

There are questions you need to ask your local county inspection department before you try and pick a contractor. Some local Governments require permits to build, remodel, and even re-roof. There may be special permits required, depending on the size and scope of the work to be done, and it is possible that the work you want done will not be allowed. There are zoning laws to consider, setbacks, and even neighborhood surveys (in certain areas) that have to be completed. You may want a castle with a moat, that does not mean the city you live in, or your next door neighbor will allow it.

Blueprints, or scale drawings are often required, and in certain circumstances an Engineer's stamp will be required. A genuine contractor will supply most of those needs, but knowing they are needed before you start interviewing can save you from a bad contractor, and financial folly. If the words, "We don't need a permit..." enter the conversation, you might want to move on to the next candidate.

Licenses: required for many trades, and contractors themselves are no exception though there are States that do not require them. The contractor's license grants him the right to supervise certain tasks and oversee the project. That license grants you the knowledge that he or she knows enough to complete the job, having passed the tests and paid the fees to receive the license.

Insurance: Worker's compensation is a must! If they don't have it, and a worker gets hurt you have a rather large problem on your hands.
Liability, see above.
Ask for proof of insurance and call to verify, having a card is not the same as having coverage.

References: if they do not have them, you may want to continue down the list.

Years in business: a worthy answer usually begins at more than one though that is not always the case, for or against.

Similar projects completed: Knowing they have experience dealing with similar projects is a good thing. Seldom are two projects exactly alike, but the methods to complete them require the same sets of skills and problem solving.

Supervisor: will there be one on site, or will it be by the occasional visit? Supervision normally speeds the process and guarantees results on larger projects.

Will they be using employees or subcontractors: employees of the contractor are covered by the above questions, subcontractors need to supply their own insurances, licenses, and you may want to ask how long the contractor has used these subcontractors.

These questions are by no means going to cover everything, but they should give you a good starting point while covering some very necessary areas.

When the interviews are over and you have time to sit down and consider all of the candidates ask yourself a few simple questions... Who were you comfortable with? Who answered your questions in a way you clearly understood? Who came prepared? Were there questions left unanswered?

Keep in mind that the work they do is going to be with you for a long time so you really need to be comfortable with the contractor to feel comfortable with the results.

Once you choose a contractor you can move on to the highly important questions, like what time is he going to wake you up, and how many time a week will it happen.

Resources include a life in the construction industry and the NARI Website.