25 Critical Questions Before Signing
Before you sign any construction contract, ask these important questions to ensure you fully understand the project and your contractor's approach.
About the Contractor
- 1. Are you properly licensed and insured?
- 2. Can you provide proof of current liability insurance?
- 3. How long have you been in this business?
- 4. What's your crew size and do you use subcontractors?
- 5. Can you provide at least three recent references?
About the Project
- 6. What exactly is included in this estimate?
- 7. What is NOT included that I might expect?
- 8. What permits will you obtain and what's the cost?
- 9. Is the timeline realistic given the scope?
- 10. What happens if the project takes longer?
About the Budget
- 11. Is this a fixed price or estimate?
- 12. What's your payment schedule?
- 13. Do you accept progress payments?
- 14. What happens if costs increase?
- 15. Is there a contingency built in for unexpected issues?
About the Process
- 16. How will you handle change orders?
- 17. How often will you provide progress updates?
- 18. Who is my primary point of contact?
- 19. How will site cleanup be handled?
- 20. What's your warranty period on completed work?
About Problem Resolution
- 21. What happens if I'm not satisfied with the work?
- 22. How will disputes be resolved?
- 23. What guarantees do you offer?
- 24. What's your process if I need to stop the project?
- 25. Can you get everything in writing?