What Should You Ask a Contractor Before Saying Yes?

Maybe you’re desperately wanting to speed up the sale of your house, so you thought that hiring a contractor to do a few things here and there (so homebuyers don’t have to stress over it) would be a surefire way to get more people interested in the house. And yeah, sure, there’s actually some potential for more interest if you do this too. But what if you’ve never hired a contractor before, like ever? 

Well, hiring a contractor is one of those adult tasks that sounds simple until it’s time to actually do it. A person starts out thinking it’ll be a quick call and a quick fix, but no, usually you’ll get a variety of different quotes and opinions from each contractor, and you have no idea what the truth even is. Now, some contractors are known for being slimy. Obviously, not all of them are, of course, but there are some that exist that intentionally try to confuse you.

While you don’t have to worry about becoming an expert, you still need to know what they’re talking about and what to ask before you hire one to work on your house. 

Start with the Problem and Ask them to Repeat it Back

But why? We’ll find out. So, you need to explain the issue in plain language, then ask the contractor to repeat back what they think the issue is. This sounds small, but it helps a lot because misunderstandings happen fast. If a homeowner says, “There’s water near the window when it rains,” one contractor might assume it’s a flashing issue, another might assume it’s siding, and another might assume it’s gutter overflow. Asking them to describe the problem in their own words helps confirm that both sides are talking about the same thing. So, that’s why it needs to be repeated.

Plus, if you think about it here, it also keeps the conversation grounded. Instead of letting it spiral into a bunch of possible upgrades, it stays focused on what’s actually happening and what needs to be solved.

Always Ask for Proof

Maybe that’s obvious here, but this is especially important when it comes to things you literally can’t see here! So, contractors often see things homeowners can’t, because the issue might be in an attic, under a crawl space, behind trim, or up on a ladder. That’s fine, but it’s also where confusion starts. You can’t be next to them to see if it’s like a plumber working on a toilet or something. 

So yeah, ask for photos. It’s fine, they don’t mind (or shouldn’t mind at least). Just ask for a quick video. Ask them to point out the problem area and explain it like they’re talking to someone who didn’t grow up reading building manuals. Just ask!

This is especially helpful for stuff like roof repair, because most people aren’t climbing up there to verify what’s going on, and it’s easy to feel pressured when the damage is out of sight. You’re probably already stressed enough about the roof (considering the amount of damage a bad roof can cause here). But seriously, a good contractor won’t get offended by this. They’ll usually be relieved because it shows the homeowner cares and wants to understand, not argue.

Get the Scope in Writing, and Make it Specific

Again, you won’t know this unless you’ve ever personally worked with contractors before, and yes, again, this needs to be taken seriously! Now, just understand here that when quotes come in, vague language is the enemy. A quote that says “repair as needed” is basically an invitation for misunderstandings later. Plus, who knows what “repair” could even be! But the scope should say what’s being done, where it’s being done, what materials are included, and what isn’t included.

Now, here’s actually a pretty good example to keep in mind: Does the price include removing old materials, disposal fees, permits, labor, and cleanup? Does it include protecting landscaping? Does it include patching and painting, or is it “repair only” and the homeowner handles finishing work later? If the contractor says, “That’s not in the quote,” then the question becomes, what would it cost to add it? You absolutely don’t want that stress on you. 

But to sum it all up here, a good scope is specific enough that two quotes can actually be compared without guessing. Also, another thing, homeowners’ insurance will want the invoice to be as specific as possible, so there really can’t be any vagueness with any of this due to that either. 

It’s Best to Ask What Could Change the Price

Well, yeah, obviously, homeowners don’t love surprise costs. Well, absolutely no one loves that concept either. Well, that, and contractors don’t love surprises either, and sometimes the surprise is hidden damage that can’t be seen until things are opened up. That’s fair. But it still needs to be discussed upfront. 

But there’s plenty of things you’ll need to ask here, too, of course. Like you need to ask what scenarios could change the price. Ask what happens if additional damage is found. Ask how change orders are handled. Ask if changes require written approval. Yep, there’s lots of asking here, but you need to know!

It also helps to ask about a price range if the job has unknowns (a roof, for example, will probably have a lot of unknowns, especially if there was a lot of damage that happened). And some contractors can’t promise a fixed price if it depends on what’s discovered, but they can often give a realistic range and explain what pushes it higher or lower.

Yes, You Need to Ask About Warranties 

Did you know that there might be some warranties? Well, a lot of people tend not know about this, but yes, it’s true. So yes, warranties need clarity. A contractor might offer a workmanship warranty, and materials might have a manufacturer’s warranty, but those are not the same thing. So ask what warranty covers the labor, what warranty covers the materials, and what would void either one. And you need to make sure it’s all in writing.

Also, ask what happens if the contractor changes business names or stops operating, because that matters, even if it’s awkward to bring up. And yes, it will be awkward, but you have the right to know here!