Best Questions to Ask a Potential Contractor

Before you hire a contractor, you will undoubtedly have to sit down with that person in order to have an interview and get to know them. If you plan to sit down with multiple experts in the various fields, which you should, then you need some questions that will help you to determine which contractor best suits your project’s needs. Though many questions will have to be formed on a case by case basis, there are a few that will get to the root of what a contractor can do for you.


How long have you been doing this?

Experience is extremely important in the home improvement industry. When you have worked on a number of different projects, you gain the expertise that can only come with time. It is always best to go with a contractor who has this valuable experience if you have that option. Make sure to ask the contractor to elaborate on the specific projects that he or she has been involved in.


What do you do in case of a problem?

Though it isn’t something that you or the contractor will anticipate happening, there might be a few problems that arise when you undertake a large project. Contractors must be equipped, both mentally and with supplies, to overcome these problems. Ask the contractor to elaborate on a specific project in which he or she faced a problem. Analyze the answer that they give you in order to find some truth and common sense.


What is your vision for this project?

Contractors have specific jobs to take care of, but they should be able to see how it works within the big picture, as well. Just because a person specializes in landscaping doesn’t mean that he should be exempt from understanding the rest of the project. Great homes work together like clockwork. A good contractor will have the ability to see how that comes together and more important, how his or her part will contribute to the overall project.


These questions will help you get to know the prospective contractors a little bit better. After all, these people are going to be trusted to work in and around your home. It is good to get a feel for how they are going to handle the project. If you are going to be giving a large amount of money and responsibility to person, questioning them on a high level is an absolute must.