Choosing the Right Contractor: 20 Essential Questions to Ask
Embarking on a remodel or home build is a significant endeavor, and choosing the right contractor is paramount to its success. Selecting a contractor for your project is akin to choosing a partner to marry for the next 3-18 months. It involves experiencing moments of excitement, joy, and stress, alongside good, average, and bad days. Just like in a marriage, communication and trust form the bedrock of a strong relationship throughout the building process, and potentially years after completion.
One notable oversight emerges from my career as a residential contractor: the quickness with which certain clients finalize their decision on selecting a contractor/builder. It's remarkable how minimal the effort can be when it comes to interviewing and vetting your builder, particularly for projects that may be one of the largest investments you will ever make in your lifetime.
I hold a strong conviction that a builder's past performance offers valuable insights into their future conduct. To assist you in this process, here is a list of 20 essential questions you should ask the contractor/builder you are considering hiring:
Tell me about your building career. How did you get here?
Tell me about the trade partners that will be a part of this project. How many years have you worked with your trade partners?
Who will be in charge of building my project? What does that look like on a day-to-day basis?
Can you show me examples of similar past projects or current projects you're working on?
What's your educational background and do you have any relevant certifications? Thoughts on continued education?
Have you been involved in any bankruptcies, unsatisfied judgments, or litigation, and if so, what happened?
Can you explain why you build a better home/better remodel than your competitors?
What is your approach to waterproofing strategies and window installations?
What is your process for estimating the cost of the project, and ensuring it stays on budget?
Can you give me an example of a problem on a past project? What was the situation, what action did you take, and what were the results?
Share with me a project you undertook with a challenging client. Describe the scenario, your actions, and the project outcome.
Tell me what your ideal client looks like.
Can you provide a current contractor registration, proof of liability insurance, and Workers Comp insurance?
Can you give me an example of how you motivated an unwilling trade partner or inspector to go your way?
What's the worst failure you've had on a project after the owner moved in, and how did you handle it?
Tell me about a time you had to fire a trade partner.
How did you manage a client's unrealistic expectations?
How do you handle change orders on your projects?
Tell me about how you approach your warranty.
Can you provide references from past projects?
By asking these questions you'll gain valuable insights into the contractor's experience, approach, and ability to handle various situations. Remember, thorough research and interviewing are key to ensuring a successful partnership with your contractor. Good luck with your project, we are here if you need us.
