7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a General Contractor

Hiring the wrong contractor is the single biggest risk in any construction project. Before you sign anything, here are the questions we’d want answered if we were in your position.

1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Ask for the license number directly and look it up yourself on the CSLB website. Any legitimate contractor will give you this without hesitation.

2. Who is actually on site day to day?

Some companies sell the job with an experienced principal and then hand it to a rotating cast of subcontractors. Ask who your point of contact will be for the life of the project.

3. How do you handle change orders?

Change orders are normal. Surprises happen once walls open up. What matters is the process: how it’s documented, priced, and approved before work continues.

4. Can I see recent, similar projects?

A contractor who’s done ten kitchen remodels in your neighborhood in the last two years will move faster and hit fewer surprises than one who hasn’t.

5. What’s your payment schedule?

Be cautious of large upfront deposits relative to the work completed. A reasonable schedule ties payments to completed milestones.

6. How do you communicate during the project?

Weekly site walks? A shared project log? Text messages only? Get specific. This is often the difference between a smooth project and a stressful one.

7. What happens if the timeline slips?

Timelines shift. Ask how delays are communicated and whether there’s any accountability built into the contract.

If you’re evaluating contractors for a remodel or addition on the Peninsula, we’re happy to answer all seven of these directly. Get in touch.