We would rather answer hard questions before a project than explain a misunderstanding during one. Here is what we think is worth asking any contractor, including us.
About the work itself
- What exactly is included, and what is explicitly not? Ask for exclusions in writing. Most disputes come from a gap between what the homeowner assumed and what was quoted.
- What materials are specified, by name? “Quality hardwood” is not a specification. Species, grade and product names are.
- What happens if something unexpected is found? Opening a wall reveals things. Ask how change orders are priced and approved before one is needed.
- Who is actually on site? Employees, subcontractors, or both. Who supervises, and how often are they present.
About money
- What is the payment schedule tied to? Milestones tied to completed work are healthier than dates on a calendar.
- How large is the deposit, and what does it cover? A deposit should relate to material and mobilization costs.
- How are allowances handled? If fixtures or finishes are budgeted as allowances, understand what happens when actual selections come in above or below.
About protection
- Licensing and insurance, verified independently rather than taken on assurance. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by type of work.
- Permits. Who pulls them, and is that cost included. Work that should have been permitted and was not becomes the homeowner’s problem at resale.
- Warranty. Duration, what it covers, and what voids it. Get it in writing.
About the relationship
- How will we communicate, and how often? A weekly check-in prevents most conflict.
- Can I see work of this type that is a few years old? New work photographs well. Work that has been lived in for three years tells you more.
A note on the lowest bid
When one quote is dramatically below the others, it is usually not efficiency. It is a different scope, different materials, or an estimate that will grow. Compare what is specified, line by line, before comparing totals.
