How to Vet a Contractor: 8 Questions to Ask First

A great contractor makes a project painless; the wrong one makes it a nightmare. Before you hire anyone, get clear answers to these eight questions.

• Are you licensed and insured? Ask for their license number and proof of liability and workers' comp insurance.
• Can I see recent work and references? Real pros are happy to share photos and past customers.
• Who will actually be on site? Confirm whether they use their own crew or subcontractors.
• What's the timeline? Get start and finish dates in writing, plus how delays are handled.
• How do you handle changes? Understand the change-order process before surprises come up.
• What's the payment schedule? Avoid anyone demanding full payment upfront — deposits and milestone payments are normal.
• Is there a warranty? Ask what's covered on labor and materials, and for how long.
• Will you pull the permits? A pro handles permits; if they ask you to, that's a red flag.

Trust your gut, but verify

Clear communication early is the best predictor of a smooth project. If a contractor is vague, dodges questions, or pressures you to sign quickly, keep looking.

Every pro on ProsClick is screened and background-checked before they can receive a lead — so you start from a shortlist you can trust, then use these questions to pick the best fit.