10 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Contractor For New Construction
A successful build starts with careful planning, focused attention, and a clear understanding of who you hire to handle the job. Selecting the right contractor goes beyond just finding someone with tools and a truck; it involves choosing a professional who can guide your vision, stick to your budget, and complete your work with care.
Many homeowners make decisions too quickly and later deal with unfinished projects, cost increases, or poor communication. To avoid such problems, you must ask the right questions early and only move forward when you feel fully informed.
Each of the following ten questions plays an important role in helping you choose someone trustworthy, experienced, and qualified.
1. Do You Hold A Valid Contractor’s License?
Always begin your discussion by asking if the contractor has a current license issued by your state or local licensing authority, because that proves the individual or business meets basic standards and operates legally in your area.
2. What Kind Of Insurance Coverage Do You Have?
It is very important to ask about both liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, because these cover accidents, property damage, or injuries that may occur while work is happening at your location.
3. Can I Review Some Of Your Completed Projects?
You should take the time to ask for examples of previous projects, preferably with photos or addresses you can visit, so you can see the level of quality and consistency they have delivered in the past.
4. Who Will Supervise Or Be Present At The Job Site Daily?
Make sure to ask if the contractor will be on site each day or if they plan to assign a foreman or subcontractor to manage daily activities, as this helps avoid confusion and improves accountability.
5. What Timeline Do You Propose For The Entire Project?
You must receive a clear schedule with estimated start and finish dates. You should ask about possible delays due to weather, material shortages, or other factors that might affect the project’s timeline.
6. How Will You Organize And Manage Payment Milestones?
Ask for a full payment breakdown, including how much is due upfront, what amounts are tied to specific stages of progress, and when the final payment becomes due upon project completion.
7. Will You Handle Permits And Approvals Required For This Work?
Since most new construction projects require approvals from city or county officials, you need to confirm that the contractor will take care of securing all necessary permits and follow local regulations from the start.
8. How Do You Manage Mid-Project Design Or Scope Changes?
Ask how changes are documented, priced, and added to the original contract if you decide to modify any part of the project once the work has already begun.
9. How Will You Respond If Any Issues Or Disputes Arise?
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You should request a written agreement that outlines pricing, deadlines, responsibilities, materials, and warranties, so you avoid future surprises and have a clear reference if problems occur during construction.
Dunn Construction, LLC
provides reliable
new construction services across Lexington, Kentucky and nearby locations. We collaborate with property owners to understand their needs and goals, and work hard to make sure that their expectations are met.
