Choosing the Right General Contractor: 7 Questions to Ask

Your general contractor controls the schedule, the budget, and the quality of every trade on your project. Asking the right questions up front protects your investment and your sanity.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Ask for a license number and proof of liability and workers comp coverage. A reputable contractor provides these without hesitation.

2. Who Pulls the Permits?

Your contractor should handle permitting. If they ask you to pull permits in your name, that is a red flag, not a shortcut.

3. Can I See Recent References?

Ask for two or three recent projects of similar scope. Call them and ask about communication, cleanliness, and whether the final price matched the estimate.

4. Is the Estimate Fixed or an Allowance?

A fixed-price contract removes guesswork. Allowances for tile, cabinets, and fixtures can balloon quickly if they are not clearly defined.

5. What Does the Payment Schedule Look Like?

Reasonable contractors tie payments to milestones, not the calendar. Be wary of anyone asking for most of the money before work begins.

6. How Will You Communicate?

You should know who your daily point of contact is and how often you will get progress updates. Weekly photos and a shared schedule are standard.

7. What Is the Warranty?

Get the warranty in writing. A one-year workmanship warranty is a minimum; many structural elements should be covered longer.

Make the Right Call

The right contractor answers all seven confidently and in writing. Cranberry Contracting is licensed, insured, and transparent on every line item. Request a consultation and compare us to anyone.