What to look for
- A license where your state or city requires one
- Liability insurance and workers' compensation
- Photos and references from projects like yours
- A clear plan for permits and inspections
- Good communication, like regular updates and one point of contact
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who pulls the permits, and who's on site each day?
- Which parts of the job are subcontracted?
- How do change orders work, and how are they priced?
- What's the payment schedule?
- What's the warranty on workmanship?
Getting and comparing quotes
Give each contractor the same plan and finish list. Ask for itemized bids so you can see labor, materials and allowances. Low allowances for cabinets, tile or fixtures can make one bid look cheaper until you pick what you actually want.
Red flags
- Asks for a large payment before work starts
- Won't put the scope and schedule in writing
- Suggests skipping permits
- Can't give references from recent jobs