WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD YOU ASK A POTENTIAL CONTRACTOR?

When you’re looking for a contractor, it’s important to ask questions. And sometimes, you’ll ask the same question over and over again. But that’s okay! Asking the right questions will help you figure out if this is going to be a good fit for both of you.

What should I ask? We’ve put together our list of favorite questions here.

WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU NEED DONE?

When you ask a contractor to bid on your project, remember that they may not have done exactly what you want before. You need to be very clear about the type of work you need done and how much of it there will be. Think through all of the details: when do you need the work done? Where would it be best for them to build? Is there any equipment involved? Will they have access to power or water? How many people will be working on this project? What materials are necessary in order for it to get done properly (and safely)?

HAVE YOU HIRED A CONTRACTOR BEFORE?

Have you hired a contractor before?

If so, what was your experience with the contractor like, and why did you choose to work with them? A potential contractor should be able to give specific examples of their past work. The more projects they’ve completed, the better. This will help you get an idea of how much experience they have in your particular field.

Ask about their biggest challenge on a project and how they overcame it. This can give you an idea of how well-equipped they are to handle unexpected obstacles that may arise during the course of your project together (and there will always be some!). It can also show whether or not this person is someone who’s willing to roll up his or her sleeves and get things done—which is exactly what you want from a contractor!

Finally, ask about the best part of working with this particular contractor—what did they enjoy most about working together? This shows that both parties had a positive experience overall (and hopefully got along well enough), which will make working together again more likely in future projects down the road!

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET RANGE FOR THE JOB?

What is your budget range for the job?

The answer to this question will help you to get a feel for how much work you can expect to do and how long it will take.

ARE THERE ANY DEADLINES I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

When you work with a contractor, there are going to be deadlines. This can be good or bad depending on whether or not you’re prepared for them.

If you’re prepared for a deadline, it’s great! But if you aren’t prepared for a deadline, it’s bad and stressful.

And the more prepared you are the better off you’ll be when working with contractors!

HOW MANY OTHER BIDS DID YOU GET FOR THIS PROJECT?

“How many other bids did you get for this project?” This is a question that every potential contractor should be prepared to answer. You should know the minimum number of bids you would like to get and any other factors that influence your decision regarding how many bids you will receive.

If there is something specific that you are looking for in a contractor, it’s important to communicate this up front. There may be things about your project or business model which make it less desirable than others, so make sure that information is included in promotional materials provided by your company as well as during preliminary conversations with contractors who have expressed interest in working with you.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A CONTRACTOR?

When it comes to choosing a contractor, you need to be sure that they can provide the services you’re looking for. If they don’t have the experience or knowledge necessary, they could end up costing you more money in repairs and maintenance down the line.

When interviewing contractors, ask them what questions they would ask a potential client if they were in your shoes. This will help provide insight into their business practices and values. In addition:

• How long have they been working in this field?
• Do they offer warranties on their work? How long does it last?
• What are their policies on payments and deposits?
• questions a contractor should ask

WHAT’S YOUR TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT?

A project’s timeline is one of the most important things to agree upon when hiring a contractor, because it will help you plan for your home improvement project. If a contractor tells you that they can complete your renovation in two weeks, it’s best to ask them how they intend to do this. The most likely answer will be that they’ll be working long hours and will hire extra help during that time period. Then, once the work has been completed, they’ll be able to take some time off before their next job starts.

This kind of timeline may or may not be realistic depending on what type of renovations need to be done and how many contractors are involved in the process (i.e., electricians working on lighting). It’s also possible that other factors could come up which might extend this timeline even further—for example: weather delays or unexpected discoveries during construction (like old wiring). In these situations, it’s good practice for both parties involved with making an informed decision about whether or not continuing forward with this project makes sense at all given current circumstances.”

HOW DO I REACH YOU IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

• What is your email address?
• Do you have a phone number that I can reach you on, and how often do you check it?
• Is there a way to contact you after hours if I need to? If so, please share that information.
• How long does it typically take for someone in your office to respond back to me, if at all?

These questions will help you figure out if you’re a good fit for each other.

When it comes to contractors, you want someone who is skilled and experienced, but you also want someone that’s a good fit for your particular project. For example, if you’re looking for a general contractor to manage all aspects of your remodel and he specializes in only one part of the process—say, electrical work—you may have trouble getting what you need done as efficiently as possible.

That said, some general contractors do offer a wide range of services (and can handle anything from minor repairs to full-scale renovations). If this sounds like what you’re looking for, then we suggest asking some specific questions about their experience working with other clients like yourself who needed jobs completed within a certain budget range:

Conclusion

Remember, this is a great opportunity to get to know your contractor and learn more about their work. They’ll be able to tell you if they’re the right fit for your project and help you make an informed decision about hiring them. If you have any questions about what it means to be a good contractor or how to hire one, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re happy to help answer any questions that may arise along the way