Quick answer: Before hiring a contractor in 2026, ask whether they are licensed and insured and request proof, ask for recent references, and ask for a written contract and detailed estimate. Then ask who pulls the permits, who is on the crew, what the payment schedule is, and what warranty they offer. Get the answers in writing. On Qiggz you can message local pros directly and ask all of these before you commit, with no lead fees.
Hiring a contractor is one of the larger bets a homeowner makes, and you usually make it after one short conversation. The difference between a smooth project and a nightmare often comes down to the questions you ask before you sign anything.
The right questions are not technical. You do not need to know how to wire a panel or frame a wall; you need to confirm the contractor is legitimate, accountable, and clear about money and timeline. Honest pros welcome these questions; the ones who dodge them are telling you something.
Here is the checklist, grouped so you can work through it in one conversation.
Questions about credentials and legitimacy
Start here. If a contractor cannot clear these, nothing else matters.
- Are you licensed for this work, and what is your license number? Licensing is set by your state and sometimes your city, so requirements vary. Get the number and verify it yourself through your state or local licensing board's online lookup. Confirm it is current and the right type for the job.
- Are you insured, and can I see proof? Ask for general liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation. Liability covers damage to your property; workers' comp protects you if someone is hurt on your site. Have them send a current certificate. An uninsured crew can leave you exposed.
- Are you bonded? A surety bond offers an added layer of financial protection. Ask whether the work requires one where you live.
- How long have you been in business, and is the company name and address verifiable? A findable business with a real address is easier to hold accountable than a name on a truck.
Questions about the work and the people
These tell you who will be in your home and how the job will run.
- Who will do the work, you or a crew or subcontractors? Using subcontractors is fine, but you want to know. Ask whether the subs are also licensed and insured, and who supervises them.
- Have you done projects like mine, and can I see examples? Experience with your type of job matters more than years in the trade. Ask for photos or addresses of comparable work.
- Can you give me three recent references I can call? Then actually call them. Ask whether the job finished on time and on budget, how problems were handled, and whether they would hire the contractor again.
- Who pulls the permits? For permitted work, the contractor should normally pull the permits in their name. If one asks you to pull them yourself, treat it as a warning sign: it can mean they are not licensed and it shifts liability to you.
Questions about the contract, money, and timeline
This is where projects most often go wrong, so be specific and get every answer in writing.
- Will you provide a detailed written estimate? A real estimate breaks out labor, materials, and scope, not just one lump sum. Get estimates from more than one contractor so you can compare on the same basis.
- Will we have a written contract, and what does it cover? The contract should spell out scope, materials, total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and who handles permits and cleanup. Never start work on a verbal agreement.
- What is the payment schedule and the deposit? Ask how much is due up front and when later payments are owed. Reasonable schedules tie payments to completed milestones, with a final payment held until the work is finished and you are satisfied. Never pay the full amount up front, and check whether your state caps how large a deposit a contractor can require. California, for instance, caps a home improvement down payment at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less (California Contractors State License Board), and other states set their own limits.
- How will change orders be handled? Mid-project changes are common. Agree in advance that any change to scope or price goes in writing and is signed by both of you before work proceeds. This prevents surprise charges.
- What is the timeline, and what could delay it? Ask for realistic start and finish dates and what typically causes delays, such as material lead times or weather. A pro who gives an honest range is more trustworthy than one who promises the moon.
- What warranty do you offer on labor, and what about material warranties? Ask what is covered, for how long, and how to make a claim. Get the terms in writing.
- Will you provide a lien waiver as you are paid? A lien waiver, signed in exchange for payment, protects you from a claim against your property if the contractor fails to pay a sub or supplier. On larger projects especially, it is reasonable to request one with each payment.
Red-flag answers to watch for
These questions only help if you listen to the answers. Walk away, or at least slow down, if a contractor:
- refuses to provide a license number or proof of insurance,
- will not put the agreement in writing,
- demands full payment, or a very large deposit, up front,
- insists on cash only or an untraceable payment method,
- pressures you to sign immediately or pushes a "today only" price,
- gets irritated that you are asking these questions at all.
How Qiggz makes vetting easier
The hardest part of vetting is getting a real conversation with several pros without committing first, which is what Qiggz is built for.
You post your job free, and local pros in your zip code message you directly. Because Qiggz charges no lead fees and no commissions, pros are not paying a middleman to reach you, and your contact details are not resold to call centers. You can ask every question on this checklist over direct message, compare written answers, and only move forward with the pro who checks out.
One honest caveat: Qiggz connects you with local pros, but it does not certify that any pro is licensed or background-checked. The verification is yours, and it is worth doing every time. Confirm the license through your state or local board and ask for proof of insurance before work begins.
If you have used lead-selling platforms and felt the pressure, our Qiggz vs Angi comparison breaks down how a no-lead-fee model changes the experience.
Ready to start vetting? Post your job free on Qiggz and message local pros directly.
The bottom line
The best protection against a bad contractor is a good set of questions asked before you sign. Confirm the license and insurance and verify them yourself. Get references and call them. Insist on a written contract and a detailed estimate. Nail down the payment schedule, timeline, and warranty, and never pay in full up front. Ask all of it before you commit: the right contractor will be glad you did, and the wrong one reveals themselves.
Find and vet local pros on Qiggz, with no lead fees, or see how Qiggz compares to Angi.
If you're a contractor rather than a homeowner, see the best apps for contractors to get clients and how to stay booked through seasonal slow periods.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important questions to ask before hiring a contractor?
Ask whether they are licensed and insured and request proof, ask for three recent references you can call, and ask for a written contract and a detailed estimate. Then confirm who pulls the permits, who is on the crew, the payment schedule and deposit, the timeline, and the warranty. Get every answer in writing, and verify the license and insurance yourself.
Should I ask a contractor for proof of insurance?
Yes, always. Ask for general liability insurance, which covers damage to your property, and workers' compensation if they have employees, which protects you if a worker is injured on your site. Request a certificate and confirm it is current. An uninsured contractor can leave you financially responsible for accidents or damage, so treat it as non-negotiable.
How much deposit should a contractor ask for?
Never pay the full price up front. A reasonable deposit secures the job and covers initial materials, with the rest tied to completed milestones and a final payment held until you are satisfied. Some states limit how large a down payment a contractor can require, so check your local rule. Always pay by a traceable method like a check or credit card, not cash.
Why should I ask who pulls the building permits?
For permitted work, a licensed contractor should normally pull the permits in their own name. If a contractor asks you to pull them yourself, it can be a sign they are not licensed to do so, and it shifts liability to you. Asking early protects you and confirms the contractor is operating properly.
What is a lien waiver and should I ask for one?
A lien waiver is a document a contractor or supplier signs in exchange for payment, waiving their right to file a claim against your property for that amount. It protects you if the contractor fails to pay a subcontractor or supplier. On larger projects, it is reasonable to request one with each payment.
How does Qiggz help me vet a contractor?
On Qiggz you post your job free and local pros message you directly, with no lead fees or commissions, so you can ask every vetting question before committing and compare written answers. Qiggz does not certify that pros are licensed or background-checked, so verify the license through your state board and ask for proof of insurance yourself before work begins.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam: get a written contract, check the contractor out, do not pay in full up front, and watch for cash-only or large up-front payment demands. Confirm current wording at publish.
- General contractor-vetting guidance (state and local consumer agencies and reputable home-services references): ask for license and proof of insurance, at least three references, a detailed written estimate, a payment schedule tied to milestones, permit responsibility, warranty terms, and lien waivers. Verify your state's specific licensing and down-payment rules.
- Qiggz first-party (no lead fees, no commissions, free to post, local pros, direct messaging): Qiggz product and /about/qiggz. Qiggz does not certify that pros are licensed or background-checked; verify license and insurance yourself.
