Should I get more than one estimate?

It is reasonable to compare. Make sure each one has the same scope, so you are comparing like with like.

Do I need to be at home while work is done?

Not always, but you should agree on access and on how decisions are made while you are away.

What should I ask about permits?

Ask who applies, who schedules inspections and how long review usually takes in your village.

Questions to ask a remodeling contractor before you sign

You do not need to be an expert. A handful of plain questions tells you most of what you need to know.

Hiring someone to work inside your home is a big decision. You will see them every day for weeks, they will handle things you care about, and you will be living with the results for a long time. The good news is that you do not need to be a builder to choose well. A few direct questions will tell you a lot.

These are the ones we think are worth asking anyone, including us.

About the work

**What exactly is included?** Ask for the scope in writing, with the tasks listed. Ask what is not included.

**Who will do the work?** Some companies use their own crew, others hire subcontractors for certain trades. Neither is wrong, but you should know who will be in your home.

**Who is in charge on site?** Ask who your daily contact is and who makes decisions if something comes up.

**Can I see similar work?** Photos, and ideally a conversation about a comparable project, help you judge quality. Our own projects are in the gallery, and a project such as this primary bath in dark onyx and brass shows what we mean by careful tile work and detail.

About the paperwork

**Is there a written agreement?** Get everything in writing: the scope, the price, the payment schedule and the way changes are handled.

**Who handles permits and inspections?** Where a permit is required, someone has to apply and schedule inspections. At OVK, we coordinate it. Requirements vary by village, so check with your village building department.

**What insurance is in place?** Ask to see proof, and ask what it covers. If you are unsure about the details, your insurance agent can explain what matters for your home.

About the schedule

**When can you start, and how long will it take?** A realistic answer includes the things that can affect it: permits, deliveries and inspections.

**What is the daily routine?** Ask what time the crew arrives and leaves, how they enter the house and where they park.

**What happens if the schedule slips?** A good contractor tells you early and explains why.

About money

**How is the price built?** Ask for a breakdown by stage. Ask about allowances and what happens if you choose something above or below them.

**How do payments work?** Payments should relate to the progress of the work.

**What happens with changes?** There should be a written change order with price and time before the change is made. Our post on reading an estimate explains this in more detail.

About living with the project

**How will you protect the house?** Floors, furniture and nearby rooms need covering, and dust needs to be controlled as much as possible.

**How will you clean up?** Ask whether clean-up happens daily and what the site will look like at the end of each day.

**How will we communicate?** Decide whether updates come by phone, text or email, and how quickly questions are answered. Our post on living through a renovation covers more of this.

About the finish

**What happens at the end?** Ask for a walk-through and a way to list anything that needs fixing. A good finish includes time to look at everything with you.

**Who do I call if something is wrong afterward?** Make sure you know who to contact and how.

Questions to ask yourself

Did they listen to what I want?
Did they explain things in plain language?
Did they say what they could not do?
Do I feel comfortable having them in my house?

What we say

We would rather you ask too many questions than too few. We answer them plainly, put the answers in writing and tell you when something depends on what we find behind the walls.

Pay attention to how the answers feel

The words matter, but so does the way they are given. A good contractor explains things without hurry, says when something is unknown and does not push you to sign on the spot. If an answer is vague, ask again, and if the person seems annoyed that you asked, that is information too. You are choosing someone to work in your home, so trust is part of the decision. A written scope, a clear schedule and a relaxed conversation are signs of a team that expects to be held to its word.

Talk it through with us

If you are comparing contractors, bring this list to us. See our whole-home renovation page, then request a free estimate and ask us anything.