Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
The right contractor is not simply the person with the lowest price. A good hiring process helps you understand who is responsible for the work, what you are buying and how problems will be handled.
1. Describe the job before contacting contractors
Prepare a short written brief with photos, approximate dimensions, desired finishes, timing and your must-haves. Note anything you know about water damage, older materials or structural changes. A consistent brief gives bidders a fair basis for comparison.
2. Verify who you are hiring
- Ask for the business's legal name, address, contact information and written estimate.
- Check references from recent comparable projects; ask about communication, change orders and whether the final cost matched the contract.
- Ask about commercial general liability insurance and request current evidence directly from the insurer or broker when appropriate.
- Ask whether workers' compensation coverage or clearance is applicable. In Ontario, confirm requirements with WSIB (opens in a new tab); requirements differ by business and work type. Other provinces and territories have their own workers' compensation boards.
- Confirm who performs regulated trades and who obtains permits and inspections. Verify credentials with the appropriate authority.
Registration, insurance and licensing are not interchangeable. Requirements vary by province, municipality and type of work.
3. Ask these questions during the interview
- Who will supervise the site day to day?
- What comparable work have you completed recently?
- Which work will be subcontracted, and who coordinates the trades?
- What exactly is included and excluded from the price?
- What is the anticipated start date, duration and approach to delays?
- Who obtains permits, books inspections and supplies required drawings?
- How are hidden conditions, allowances and change orders priced and approved?
- What warranty applies to workmanship, and what is excluded?
- How are property protection, cleanup and disposal handled?
- What documentation will I receive at completion?
4. Review the written contract
Look for an identifiable contractor, detailed scope, materials and specifications, total price or pricing method, taxes, payment milestones, schedule, permit responsibilities, written change-order process, warranty and dispute procedure. Do not rely on verbal promises. Consumer-protection and cancellation rights can depend on how and where a contract was made; verify current provincial rules.
5. Watch for warning signs
- Pressure to sign immediately or pay a large unexplained amount upfront.
- Refusal to provide a written scope or clarify exclusions.
- Requests to skip required permits or inspections.
- Unverifiable business information, references or coverage.
- Significant price differences without an explanation of scope or materials.
A warning sign is a reason to investigate, not proof of misconduct.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire the lowest bidder?
Only after checking that the scope, quality, qualifications and exclusions are genuinely comparable.
Does insurance mean a contractor is licensed?
No. Insurance and trade authorization serve different purposes. Verify both where applicable.
Where can Ontario homeowners learn about consumer rights?
See Consumer Protection Ontario (opens in a new tab) for current guidance. Homeowners in other provinces should check their provincial consumer-protection office.
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Educational disclaimer: Information is general and may not reflect current rules in your location. Confirm permits, licensing, contracts and safety requirements with relevant authorities and qualified professionals.