Planning a home improvement project is exciting. Choosing the right general contractor can feel anything but.
In a market like Seattle, there is no shortage of options. Every website looks polished. Every company promises quality. Yet when you are preparing to invest in your home, what you really want is clarity. You want to know who you can trust, who will communicate well, and who will stand behind their work.
That is why we put together this list of 19 essential questions to ask before hiring a general contractor. A reputable firm should welcome these conversations and provide clear, thoughtful answers. The goal is not just to hire someone who can build. It is to choose a partner who will guide you through the process with transparency and professionalism from start to finish.
Table of Contents
1. History, Reputation & Stability of Contractor
5. Follow Up and Follow Through
6. Spend Time Doing Research, Save Yourself Stress
Watch this video by Pete Baughman to understand the important points in this article:
History, Reputation & Stability of Contractor
Before diving into a building project that's a significant investment of both time and money, it's vital to partner with a licensed general contractor you can trust. Here's a set of questions to help you assess their history and reputation:
Q: How long have you been in business under the same name?
In our experience, longevity speaks volumes.
In the construction industry, companies that cut corners or leave homeowners with poor experiences often don’t last, or they rebrand under a different name. Building a strong reputation takes years of consistent follow-through, accountability, and doing right by clients.
An established design-build firm has a track record you can actually see. Not just in completed projects, but in long-standing relationships, repeat clients, and a name that has stood the test of time.
Pro Tip: We encourage you to look up contractors on the Better Business Bureau and verify their general contractor license.
Q: Can you provide references, especially from clients who've had similar projects?
Any reputable remodeling firm should be able to share references you can actually speak with. That is a baseline expectation.
But do not stop there. Ask to connect with homeowners whose projects closely resemble what you are planning. A kitchen addition is different from a whole-home renovation. A second-story addition is different from a basement remodel.
When you speak with someone who has walked the same path you are considering, the feedback is far more meaningful. You are not just hearing that the company did good work. You are learning how they handled the exact scope, complexity, budget conversations, and decision points you are about to face.
Pro Tip: An even smarter move is to ask for past references as well as one current client.
Q: Are your subcontractors licensed, bonded, insured, and vetted before they work on my job site?
The answer to this question will reveal if subcontractors and specialty contractors are held to the same standard as the general contractor’s employees. If a subcontractor isn’t licensed, bonded, and insured, they can’t legally do work in the jurisdiction.
Follow-up questions can include:
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Do you maintain $2 million of Liability insurance, Commercial Vehicle insurance, and Workers’ Compensation insurance?
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If there’s a personal injury or a catastrophic failure caused by their work, are they covered by insurance? Types of insurance include property loss, workers' comp, and liability.
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Make sure your contractor meets the minimum standards for your jurisdiction as well as their subcontractors.
Pro Tip: Ask about the licensing requirements of subcontractors before the company agrees to work with them.
Q: Are you a member of professional associations within the building industry?
Many of these building industry associations have rigorous standards that must be met before a general contractor can join. Plus, it takes continued commitment from the general contractor to maintain good standing with these groups. It also shows a commitment to the community, their business, and others. The requirements for membership in these groups also demonstrate that the general contractor is reputable.
Q: Do you maintain strong relationships with local suppliers and trade partners?
Remodeling is not done in a vacuum. It depends on trusted relationships behind the scenes.
Longstanding partnerships with local suppliers and trades matter. They often mean better communication, reliable scheduling, and quicker problem-solving if something unexpected comes up. When challenges arise, and they will on any meaningful project, strong relationships help resolve them efficiently and professionally.
There is also something to be said for reputation within the local building community. Suppliers and trade partners know which companies operate with integrity and which ones do not. A contractor who has earned long-term respect from those partners has likely earned it through consistency, accountability, and follow-through.
Structure of Agreements
Q: Can we review your agreement structure before signing?
Before you sign anything or exchange funds, you should feel completely comfortable with the agreement in front of you.
It is more than acceptable to ask for a blank copy of the contract template in advance. A professional firm will not hesitate to share it. You deserve time to read through the terms, understand how change orders are handled, see how allowances are defined, and review payment schedules without pressure.
If you would like an attorney to look it over, that is reasonable too. A remodeling agreement should never feel rushed or time-bound in a way that forces a decision. Clear, transparent contracts are a sign of a company that stands behind its process and is confident in how it operates.
Pro Tip: A trustworthy contractor will be transparent about their construction process and happy to share this information with you in advance.
Q: Do your agreements explicitly outline all price contingencies?
They should.
Every well-structured construction agreement needs to clearly define how contingencies are handled. Not just that a contingency exists, but how it is calculated, what it covers, and how it is managed throughout the project.
A contingency is there to responsibly account for unknowns that may only be uncovered once work begins. That could include hidden damage behind walls, dry rot under flooring, structural deficiencies, or unforeseen site conditions. What matters most is that these possibilities are acknowledged up front, not introduced as surprises later.
Your agreement should clearly explain:
- How the contingency amount is determined
- What types of conditions may it be used for
- How will you be notified if contingency funds need to be allocated
- What happens to any unused balance at project completion
For example, if concealed damage is discovered during demolition and a repair is required, the cost should be covered by the established contingency, not by an unexpected invoice. If only a portion of the contingency is used, the remaining balance should be credited back to you at project completion.
Clear language around contingencies reflects a thoughtful process. It protects your investment and ensures everyone understands how the unexpected will be handled before the first wall is opened.
Q: Is a guaranteed price option available for the project?
You will want to know upfront if there’s an option for a fixed price. If you’re working off of a "time and materials" or "cost-plus" agreement, what are the terms of the agreement (hourly rates and % of markup)? By asking these questions, the consumer is eliminating the risk of financial surprises throughout the project.
Q: Do you provide a written project schedule detailing work completion deadlines?
A detailed schedule sets clear expectations and helps minimize the risk of cost overruns. Construction work is inherently disruptive. Having access to dedicated project management and a clearly documented production schedule for the entire project helps maintain realistic expectations on timelines. It’s important to know that any changes the homeowners make to the project will, in turn, impact the project timeline.
Q: Do you have a written policy for handling change orders?
It’s important to know not only the time impact of changes but also their financial impacts. You want to know upfront what a change order will cost you.
Projects and Experience
Q: How many years of building experience do the owners and production team have?
Consider both cumulative experience and experience relevant to your project. For example, let’s say you’re interviewing a general contractor who mostly focuses on remodeling, but you need a large-scale custom home build. Again, being able to compare similar projects is critical in determining the experience a general contractor has.
Q: How many projects have you successfully completed with happy clients in the last 3 years?
Although it’s nice to know how many projects a company has completed, the size, the complexity, and the outcome are more important than the number. Jobs done well are more important than jobs done at all.
Q: Do you offer design services?
While many construction contractors don’t have in-house design services, it is a major benefit to the homeowner to have all of these services under one roof.
Pro Tip: Working with a design-build team helps streamline your process and fosters an environment of collaboration. This collaboration facilitates your design and budget alignment.
Q: Do you have systems in place to allocate enough time, attention, and detail to each project?
Efficient processes ensure a high standard of service and prevent time and cost overruns. If the contractor doesn’t have proven systems and processes in place, the construction manager running your job will be stretched thin, the process will be less efficient, and ultimately will cost you more time and money, and the standard of service will be lowered. Quality goes out the window when things are rushed.
Read this article to discover what sets a truly exceptional general contractor apart from the rest: Beyond Good Enough: The Revolution in Residential Construction Excellence.
Standard of Service
Q: What is your commitment to communication standards?
A high-quality contractor will communicate regularly and in a clear manner. Communication expectations should be established and agreed upon individually before the project begins.
Q: Are your crew members identifiable by company uniforms and subject to strict behavior policies?
A high-quality contractor has its construction workers wear identifiable company clothing and will introduce the homeowner to the team members who will regularly be on their job site.
Pro Tip: Any reputable business will hold their employees to documented expectations of behavior and substance use. Better Builders has a zero-tolerance policy for any impairment on the job.
Q: Do you have a daily clean-up procedure?
Without a daily clean-up procedure, the job site can get messy, disorganized, and unsafe. This is an especially prevalent question for homeowners who plan to occupy the home during construction.
Pro Tip: A clean, organized, and safe environment promotes an efficient workspace and keeps subcontractors held to the same standard.
Q: What are your standards for environmentally friendly material selections?
Responsible contractors should offer environmentally friendly options for a healthier home. Many common construction materials are comprised of toxic materials. If you are interested in a lower impact on the environment and your family's health, there's a wide range of green building options, and responsible contractors should adopt some green building practices as their baseline product selection installed in your home.
Learn how Better Builders' commitment to sustainability doesn't compromise their dedication to client satisfaction. Watch the video:
Follow Up and Follow Through
Q: How long is your offered warranty, and what does it cover?
A warranty tells you a lot about how a company views its work.
Every state has minimum warranty requirements. But a contractor who goes beyond that baseline is making a statement. They believe in their craftsmanship. They are willing to stand behind the finished product long after the final walkthrough.
It is also important to understand the differences between manufacturer warranties and builder warranties.
Manufacturer warranties typically cover the products installed in your home, such as appliances, windows, roofing materials, plumbing fixtures, and similar items; each carries its own coverage from the manufacturer.
A builder’s warranty, on the other hand, should cover workmanship. That may include items such as drywall cracks or nail pops, millwork installation, cabinet and drawer operation, and other installation-related details tied directly to the construction process.
What a warranty should not cover is normal wear and tear. Scratches in hardwood floors from daily life, small dents in walls from moving furniture, or routine homeowner maintenance items fall outside of workmanship coverage.
A clear, written warranty that outlines both duration and scope provides peace of mind. It sets expectations up front and demonstrates that the company stands behind the quality of its work.
Q: Do you conduct a customer satisfaction survey after each project to gather feedback?
Any reputable contractor will look for ways to improve the client experience. Asking for constructive feedback, both positive and negative, will allow them to update processes and systems to improve client experiences and the final product produced.
Spend Time Doing Research, Save Yourself Stress
Finding the right contractor may seem daunting, but taking the time to ask these essential questions on the front end can save you time, money, and stress. This list provides a solid starting point, but for a comprehensive list of 27 questions, email contactus@betterbuilders.com and request a personal copy of the checklist! With the right contractor, your home improvement project will be a success.
For more information on bringing the vision of your perfect home to life, download our eBook, How to Find the Perfect Custom Home Builder: A Guide to Creating Your Dream Home.
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