How do I choose a contractor?

Choosing a contractor is one of the most consequential homeowner decisions. Good choice = on-time, on-budget, high-quality. Bad choice = abandonment, lawsuits, double-payment, years of regret.

Step 1: Identify candidates.

• State licensing board search for contractors active in your area.
• Neighborhood recommendations.
• Trade-specific directories (NAHB Member Directory, NARI for remodel specialists).
• AskBaily matching (verifies license, insurance, bond, references automatically).

Step 2: Verify basics for each candidate.

Before ANY meeting, verify:

1. License — active, proper class, at state board website.
2. Insurance — current CGL and workers' comp, COI available.
3. Bond — current (if state requires).
4. Complaint history — state board, Better Business Bureau, online reviews.

Reject anyone failing these.

Step 3: Interview 2-4 qualified candidates.

At initial meeting, evaluate:

• Communication style — do they listen? Explain clearly? Admit uncertainty?
• Experience with your project type — kitchens, ADUs, additions, historic each have specific patterns.
• Relevant references — ask for 3+ completed projects in your scope range within past 2-3 years.
• Team structure — in-house carpenters vs. subcontracted? Dedicated project manager?
• Capacity — when can they start? How many concurrent projects?
• Permit path — they pull permits in their name? They coordinate with architect/engineer?

Step 4: Get detailed bids.

Ask each finalist for:

• Detailed scope of work.
• Allowance schedule.
• Exclusions list.
• Draw schedule.
• Timeline.
• Warranty terms.
• References (3+ recent comparable projects).

Step 5: Check references.

Call every reference. Ask:

1. "Did you hire them again or would you?"
2. "How did they handle problems?"
3. "Did they finish on time and on budget?"
4. "Were there change orders? Were they reasonable?"
5. "How was their communication?"
6. "Anything you'd warn me about?"

Step 6: Visit an active job site (if possible).

• Is the site clean? Organized?
• Is the crew professional?
• Is protective covering in place for surrounding areas?
• How's the communication between GC and crew?

Step 7: Compare bids thoughtfully.

• Reject extreme outliers (too low = missing scope; too high = need to understand why).
• Compare line items: what does one include that another doesn't?
• Don't default to lowest bid — default to best value.
• Your time and stress during construction is a real cost.

Step 8: Make contingent decision.

• Tell top candidate you're leaning their way.
• Verify one more time: COI delivered, license verified current.
• Require written contract with all required state disclosures.
• Build in 3-day right of rescission after signing.

Red flags at any step:

• Door-to-door or post-disaster solicitation.
• Cash-only payment.
• No written contract.
• License evasion.
• Demand for large upfront.
• Pressure to skip permits.
• "I can only hold this price until tomorrow."
• References that seem coached or unreachable.
• Bad online reviews with specific patterns (billing disputes, abandonment).

Green flags:

• Transparent about license, insurance, bond.
• Provides verifiable references.
• Takes time to scope project carefully.
• Willing to pull permits.
• Standard contract with proper disclosures.
• Clear communication patterns (responds to calls/texts within 24 hours).
• Honest about limitations (e.g., "This project isn't really our specialty").
• Comfortable with draw schedule + retainage.

AskBaily's matching process automates the license, insurance, bond, and reference verification so homeowners can focus on fit rather than screening. See /ask/how-do-i-know-if-my-contractor-is-licensed for the baseline licensing framework.