The 7 Vital Questions to Ask Every Contractor

For a project as important as a home renovation, there’s no such thing as too much information—as long as you’re asking the right questions, like “Now that I know I want to remodel my home, what comes next?” “Where do I start?” “Who do I talk to?” “How do I know who to trust?”

Hiring the right contractor is what makes such a huge investment of your time and money worth it. You need someone who is experienced, honest and will treat your house like it’s their own. Did you know 50 percent of people who have had renovations done in their homes wouldn’t hire their contractor again? Don’t make the same mistake—ask the right questions to ensure you hire the right company for your renovation. Avoid a construction nightmare! Call GM Roth toll-free today at 866.446.7684 for our free DVD on the seven vital questions you need to ask every contractor.

Questions to Ask Every Contractor

1.	What is the full name and address of the company? Reject any contractor without a permanent place of business, or who seems to lack necessary financial resources
2.	Does the company carry insurance and is the coverage current and adequate? A contractor should provide you with a current Certificate of Insurance for Comprehensive Liability, Worker's Compensation, and Completed Operations Insurance that protects you in the event of an accident or provides financial coverage for a failed project
3.	Is the company a licensed contractor? Is the contractor a member of a trade association and in good standing? Reject any contractor who does not hold a current license
4.	How long has the contractor been in business? Most contracting businesses (90%) fail within the first 5 years. Reject any contractor who cannot provide a reference list of customers, and examine new businesses with extra care
5.	What is the contractor's track record for handling complaints? Reject contractors who say they have never had a complaint. The best of contractors find themselves in a dispute at one time or another for a variety of reasons. The question is, how did they resolve the matter
6.	What is the company’s workmanship warranty? Be wary of unbelievable contractor warranties. A longer contractor warranty is not necessarily more valuable than a shorter one. One reason is that the long-term warranty is provided by the manufacturer, but depends on the product being installed according to manufacturer specifications. Are the contractor's employees properly trained in installation procedures
7.	Other specific issues and questions Compliance with local ordinances: Is a permit required? Is the cost included? Who is responsible for obtaining it? Product specification: Make sure the proposal specifically refers to the product and color you choose. Payment terms: Are payment schedule, terms, and method of payment clearly detailed in the agreement? How is incomplete work handled? Preliminary inspection and clean-up agreement: Make sure the work supervisor and you do a pre-work inspection and specify clean-up procedures.