Choosing the right general contractor is one of the most important decisions you'll make when planning a home renovation, addition, or new build. This person—and the team behind them—will be responsible for turning your vision into reality, staying on top of the details, and protecting your investment.

A well-qualified GC keeps your project on time, on budget, and built to last. A bad one can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, months of delays, and years of regret.

So how do you make the right call?

In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential questions you should ask every general contractor before signing a contract—and the answers you should expect.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is the first and most critical question. Every reputable general contractor should carry:

• A valid contractor’s license in your state

• General liability insurance

• Workers’ compensation coverage for their employees or subs

A GC without the proper credentials is not only cutting corners—they’re putting you at legal and financial risk. In the event of an injury or accident on your property, lack of insurance could leave you personally liable.

Ask for documentation and verify the license with your local contractor licensing board.

2. Can You Show Me Recent Projects?

A general contractor’s past work is one of the best indicators of their capability and quality. Ask for a portfolio with before-and-after photos, a list of recent clients, or a walk-through of current or recently completed projects (when possible).

Look for:

• Work similar in size and scope to your project

• Consistent attention to detail in finish work

• Clean, organized job sites

• Positive references from homeowners

This is also a chance to gauge whether their aesthetic and execution aligns with your expectations.

3. What Does Your Bid Include?

One of the biggest sources of conflict between contractors and clients is misalignment on what's included in the bid—or worse, what's excluded.

Ask for a detailed, itemized estimate. It should outline:

• Labor costs

• Material allowances

• Subcontractor fees

• Permits

• Cleanup

• Overhead and profit (sometimes listed as markup)

If anything is listed as TBD or open-ended, ask for clarification. A GC should be comfortable walking you through the numbers. Vague language or unclear terms are red flags.

4. Who Will Be On Site Every Day?

Some general contractors have hands-on crews. Others manage projects but subcontract 100% of the work. Neither is inherently better, but you need to know:

• Who is doing the work?

• Who is supervising it?

• How often is your GC on site?

You should also ask how subs are selected and managed, and whether the GC has long-standing relationships with them. Tradehaus, for example, works with a vetted network of licensed professionals across every core trade. We maintain quality by holding each crew to the same project standards and process rhythm.

5. What’s Your Timeline and How Do You Stay on Schedule?

Project duration depends on many factors, but a good GC will give you:

• A projected start and completion date

• A high-level breakdown of project phases

• An explanation of how they handle delays

Look for someone who has a clear process for managing timelines and communicating when things change. Delays happen in construction—but what matters is how they're handled.

Ask:

• What’s your approach if materials are backordered?

• How do you handle schedule changes with trades?

• How often will I get updates?

6. How Do You Handle Change Orders?

No matter how well a project is planned, scope changes happen. When they do, you need a clear process.

Ask:

• How are change orders documented?

• Do I approve additional costs in writing before work starts?

• Are you transparent about markups on materials and labor?

Change orders are one of the most common sources of budget blowout. A transparent GC will explain cost impacts clearly and get your sign-off before proceeding.

7. How Do You Communicate?

This one’s easy to overlook but incredibly important. If your GC is hard to reach, slow to respond, or vague during the bidding process, it’s likely to be worse once the job starts.

Ask:

• Who will be my point of contact?

• How often can I expect updates?

• How do you prefer to communicate (email, text, app)?

A high-functioning contractor will have a rhythm and system for client communication. This reduces stress, eliminates confusion, and keeps the project on track.

8. What Warranties or Guarantees Do You Offer?

Ask what guarantees are offered for:

• Labor

• Materials (usually covered by manufacturer)

• Overall workmanship

Most reputable contractors provide a warranty period (often one year) for labor and craftsmanship. More importantly, they stand behind their work and respond quickly if issues arise.

Tradehaus, for instance, offers workmanship guarantees on every project and maintains relationships with clients long after the final walkthrough.

Red Flags to Watch For

Even if the answers sound right, here are a few warning signs that should give you pause:

• The GC pressures you to commit quickly

• Their license doesn’t check out

• Their estimate is significantly lower than others (often a bait tactic)

• They can’t provide references

• They’re unclear about what’s included

If any of these arise, keep looking.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right general contractor isn’t just about price or availability—it’s about trust, communication, and alignment.

Ask real questions. Expect real answers. A qualified GC will be transparent, organized, and ready to walk you through their process without hesitation.

At Tradehaus, we don’t just build things—we manage complexity, align the right trades, and ensure projects are completed to spec, on time, and with zero guesswork. Whether you’re starting a kitchen remodel or a full-scale home renovation, our team is here to help you do it right.

Let’s start with a conversation. Contact Tradehaus today to get your project moving.