10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Contractor

Hiring a contractor can feel like a leap of faith. You are trusting someone with your home, your safety, and potentially thousands of dollars. These ten questions help you separate the professionals from the problems before you sign anything.

1. "Are you licensed and insured in Texas?"

This is non negotiable. Licensed contractors have met minimum competency standards. Insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the work. Ask for their license number and verify it through TDLR.

2. "Can you provide a written, itemized estimate?"

Not a verbal ballpark. Not a napkin sketch. A professional written estimate with labor, materials, and fees broken out separately. This is your contract.

3. "What exactly is included in this price?"

Clarify whether the quote covers permits, materials, cleanup, and disposal. The difference between "the quoted price" and "the final bill" is often in these details.

4. "What is your timeline for this project?"

Get a start date and an estimated completion date in writing. Ask what could cause delays and how they communicate schedule changes.

5. "Who will actually be doing the work?"

Some contractors subcontract to other crews. This is not necessarily bad, but you should know who is showing up to your home and whether they are licensed.

6. "What is your warranty on labor?"

Materials usually have manufacturer warranties, but labor warranties come from the contractor. A reputable contractor offers at least one year on workmanship.

7. "Can I see references from recent projects?"

Ask for three references from the past six months. Online reviews are helpful, but direct references for similar work are even better.

8. "What is your payment schedule?"

Standard practice is a deposit (25% to 33%), a progress payment at the midpoint, and final payment upon completion and your inspection. Never pay in full upfront.

9. "How do you handle change orders?"

Things change during a project. Ask how additional work is priced and approved. A good contractor requires written approval before any scope changes.

10. "Do you pull the necessary permits?"

For electrical, plumbing, and structural work in Texas, permits are legally required. Your contractor should handle this. If they suggest skipping permits, find another contractor.