Contracting businesses that have been in operation for many years have certainly worked through a lot of the growing pains that many companies deal with in their fledgling years. While this is certainly true, some consumers may opt to go with someone who has years of experience in the industry but is a relatively new business owner. If your instincts are telling you to go with a contractor who fits this bill, consider starting him off with a smaller project. If after that you’re satisfied with his technical, service, and business skills, you can both move on to something larger. Find several contractors near you and do your research ahead of time on any contractor you’re thinking of working with. If you find anything that makes you worry, ask about it. Ultimately, contractors prefer that you voice your concerns so they have an opportunity to address them rather than take them out of the running.

Asking a contractor if he’s insured isn’t as telling as seeing how he is insured. Contractors should have liability insurance specifically for the type of job they perform. Taking a look at certificates of insurance will give you the peace of mind that he’s not insured in an entirely different capacity than the job you’re hiring him for.

Not every job requires permits or inspections, but most remodeling projects that in some way change the foundation or structure of the home do. Your contractor should know what kind of permits you need and will discuss the details in depth with you. For home remodeling projects that require city permits, please note that the homeowner is responsible for applying for, obtaining, and covering all associated permit fees. Permit requirements and application processes vary by city and jurisdiction. As such, homeowners must visit their local city or municipal office (or official website) to complete the permit application and follow the applicable approval process for their area.

It’s important for homeowners to have a clear picture of when contractors will start and complete a project, and be aware of any circumstances that might affect that schedule. Here are a couple of questions that will further clarify your projected timeframe: • Are there any other projects you’re working on now that could affect our schedule? • Do you have any current bids that haven’t been finalized that could impact this job?

The Better Business Bureau advises never paying for the full price of contracting work upfront, and a reputable contractor shouldn’t ask you to. But it’s important to discuss payment terms before construction begins, and be aware of exactly how much is due and when perhaps by specific dates or based on completed stages of the project.

Contracting companies often work on multiple projects at a time, so it’s important to verify that you can count on consistency in who comes to work on your home each day. Be sure to ask these questions: • Will the same team be working on my home each day? • Do you work with subcontractors? If so, what have you done to properly qualify them? • How often will the business owner check in on the progress of the project?

Not only do you need to have a designated point of contact, but you also need to know the best way to reach that person and at what times they'll be available to respond to you. Find out if they prefer to be contacted via phone call, text message, or email, obtain their information, and ask for a general timeframe that you should expect to hear back from them.

It’s important for both homeowners and contractors to know what to expect on construction days before work begins, even if you don’t plan on being home while the work is being done. The targeted questions you’ll want to ask include: • What are the approximate start and end times for construction day(s)? • Do I need to remove any items that are in or near work areas? • What will the noise level be like? • Do you need me to be home at any point during the day? You should also advise your contractor on key information about the project prior to your start date: • The parking situation in your neighborhood • Which restrooms, if any, are available for use • Where available power outlets are located • Who, if anyone, will be home during construction (including pets)

A quality contractor will make sure that end-of-day clean-up is always taken care of by his crew, whether the project lasts one day or spans several weeks. Establish that he will remove trash (and learn where it will be disposed of), pick up stray items like nails from floors and outdoor areas, and wipe down surfaces that have gotten dusty during construction at the end of every work day.

Part of keeping a clean, clutter-free workspace once the team has left for the day includes putting tools away. If they have large pieces of equipment they plan on storing in your home every evening, be sure to discuss where they will be kept and how they will be transported there. (You probably don’t want heavy items to be dragged across your hardwood floors on their way to the garage.)

This may be one of the toughest questions to ask your contractor simply for the fact that it may seem disrespectful. However, it’s an important one that you’ll need to ask in advance of construction. Your contractor should be willing to take reasonable measures to protect your property, so be sure to ask what specifically he’ll do: • Will you use tarps to cover large furniture items and surfaces in work areas? • Will you recommend items that I should move to other areas of my home to protect them from damage? • Will you close or lock doors as necessary when entering and leaving my home?

Thanks to technology advancements, contractors are able to give more accurate pricing than ever before. Still, home improvement can be unpredictable at times, and once a project is underway, it’s possible that circumstances will arise that increase the estimated price that was originally offered to you. It’s critical that your contractor be clear that he won’t spend a penny over your agreed-upon budget without first gaining your approval — and if you hire him, this should also be specified in your contract.

Most contractors offer a warranty or guarantee on their work, and it’s important to know ahead of time what it covers and how long it will remain in effect. Additionally, the materials used on your home may have a manufacturer’s warranty, and you should request a copy of this information before construction begins.

This is a crucial question because, unfortunately, mistakes and disagreements do sometimes occur despite the best intentions of contractors and homeowners. Asking a contractor how he handles disputes tells you that he has a process for taking care of situations in which clients aren’t fully satisfied. If your contractor admits that there has been a dispute or two in his past, this isn’t necessarily a red flag so long as he treated the situation respectfully. “When disputes happen, give the contractor the opportunity to fix it,” Communication between contractors and homeowners is key. You should also be prepared for contractors to have their own list of questions to ask you. An open dialogue helps ensure that both parties are staying on top of the project, and are setting clear and reasonable expectations of how the project will go. At the end of the day, it’s in the contractor’s best interest to be honest and trustworthy because he wants you to recommend him to other potential clients.