Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor for Your Home Build

Your dream home starts with the right conversation. Use this friendly, field-tested checklist of questions to interview contractors, avoid costly surprises, and build with confidence. Share your favorite must-ask question in the comments and subscribe for fresh homeowner-smart insights.

Credentials, Licensing, and Proven Experience

Ask for the exact license number and verify it on your local licensing portal the same day. A contractor who welcomes verification usually values transparency and accountability. Share your region in the comments, and we’ll help compile links to official databases readers can bookmark.

Scope, Estimate, and Budget Control

What exactly is included, excluded, and assumed in this estimate?

Request a written scope listing inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions. If landscaping, utility trenching, or permit fees sit outside the estimate, flag them now. One reader avoided a five-figure surprise by spotting an excluded driveway. Compare contractor responses and comment with your easiest-to-miss line items.

How do you handle allowances, unit prices, and hidden contingencies?

Allowances can balloon if they’re unrealistically low. Ask for realistic allowances and unit prices for items like rock removal or upgraded tile. Require that any contingency be transparent and adjustable. If you’ve been caught by a vague allowance before, share your story so others can learn from it.

What cost-control tools will we use together throughout the build?

Look for a line-item estimate, a live change-order log, and monthly budget-versus-actual reports. One couple stayed on track because their contractor shared a simple dashboard every Friday. Ask to preview that reporting template, and tell us which column would help you sleep better at night.

Timeline, Scheduling, and Availability

Ask for a milestone-based schedule with foundation, framing, rough-ins, and inspections clearly dated. A homeowner-friendly Gantt or calendar view reduces anxiety because you can see dependencies. If a contractor hesitates, that’s a signal. Drop a comment if you want a printable milestone checklist to bring to interviews.

Can you provide up-to-date insurance certificates naming me as additionally insured?

Ask for general liability and workers’ compensation certificates sent directly from the carrier. Confirm policy limits and expiration dates. One reader almost signed with a lapsed policy—verification saved them. If you need a sample certificate request email, comment “insurance” and we’ll share a template.

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Who pulls permits and schedules inspections, and how will approvals be documented?

Your contractor should manage permits and keep copies of approvals in a shared folder. Insist on inspection sign-offs before paying related milestones. If your city has a hard-to-navigate portal, crowdsource tips below—local knowledge can shave weeks off a critical path.

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What warranties cover workmanship and materials, and how do I file a claim?

Get warranty terms in writing, including response times and exclusions. Clarify homeowner maintenance responsibilities that keep coverage valid. One family avoided a denied claim because they logged seasonal maintenance. Want a post-move-in maintenance checklist? Say “warranty” in the comments and we’ll send one.

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Communication, Changes, and Dispute Resolution

Aim for weekly check-ins, written meeting notes, and a shared folder for selections. One reader avoided a tile mix-up because the color code lived in a central log. If you’ve tried a great collaboration app, recommend it below so fellow builders can test it.