What to ask a remodeling contractor
Most remodeling problems — surprise costs, missed dates, work that isn't what you pictured — trace back to something nobody asked before the contract was signed. These are the questions Renovue puts in every Project Plan, in the order you'll need them.
Get two or three quotes, ask every contractor the same questions, and write the answers down. The answers are as useful for comparing contractors as the prices are.
1. Before they quote
- Are you licensed for this work, and can I see proof of your liability insurance? (Licensing rules vary by state and city; check with your state's contractor licensing board.)
- Have you done a project like this recently, and can I speak with that homeowner?
- Who will actually do the work: your own crew or subcontractors?
- Will you come and see the space before you price it?
2. About the quote and the job
The questions every project should ask, whatever the room.
- What exactly is included in your price, and what is excluded?
- How long will the work take, and what is the start date?
- What payment schedule do you require?
- Are permits required, and will you pull them?
- What happens if hidden damage is discovered once walls or floors are opened?
- Who handles material ordering, and what are current lead times?
- Who will be on site day to day, and how will we communicate?
3. Questions for your room
Each room has its own risks. Add these to the list for the room you're remodeling.
Kitchen
- Are the existing cabinets solid enough to refinish rather than replace?
- Will any plumbing or gas lines need to move?
- Does the electrical panel support new appliances and lighting?
- Who templates and installs the countertops, and how long does that take?
- Does the new layout need any structural or venting changes?
Bathroom
- What waterproofing system will you use behind the tile?
- Will the drain or supply lines need to move?
- Is the exhaust fan adequate, and does it vent outside?
- Is there any water damage or rot under the existing floor?
Living Room
- Can the existing electrical support the new lighting layout?
Basement
- Is there any moisture or water intrusion to fix first?
- Does the space meet egress requirements for its planned use?
- Will the ceiling height allow drywall over ducts and pipes?
Home Exterior
- Does any siding or trim show rot that needs repair first?
- Are there HOA or historic-district rules to follow?
- Are permits needed for the porch or hardscape work?
- What weather conditions could delay the work?
4. Comparing quotes
- Price the same written scope with every contractor, or the quotes can't be compared.
- Line up the line items. A lower total often means something is missing, not that it's cheaper.
- Check the allowances: placeholder amounts for things you haven't chosen yet, such as tile or light fixtures. Low allowances make a quote look cheaper and the final bill bigger.
- Read the exclusions. Permits, debris removal, painting and repairs to hidden damage are common ones.
- Compare start dates and how long each contractor expects the work to take.
What the contract should include
- The full scope of work, room by room
- Materials and finishes, with any allowances spelled out
- The total price and a payment schedule tied to completed work
- Start and completion dates
- How changes are priced and approved (change orders)
- Who pulls permits and schedules inspections
- Warranty on workmanship
- Cleanup and debris removal
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day
- A large share of the price up front (some states cap deposits; check your state's rules)
- Won't put the scope and price in writing
- No proof of insurance
- Suggests skipping permits to save money
- Cash only
Walk in with a clear scope
Contractors can only price what you describe. A Renovue Project Plan turns a photo of your room into a written scope, a cost breakdown, the order the work happens in, these questions tailored to your project, and a one-page summary to hand every contractor so their quotes cover the same job.
How Renovue worksKnow your number before you call
A planning range for your kitchen or bathroom makes it easier to tell a fair quote from one that's missing something.