How to Hire a Contractor (Without Getting Burned)
Most contractor horror stories trace back to skipped vetting, vague scopes, or front-loaded payments. This is the checklist that prevents all three.
The 9-point vetting checklist
- Verify the license. Every state publishes a contractor license lookup. Check the license is active, matches the business name on the quote, and covers the trade in question.
- Demand insurance certificates. General liability and workers' comp, sent directly from the insurer or agent — not a photocopy. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you can be liable.
- Check local, recent references. Three jobs completed in the past 12 months in your area. Call at least one.
- Get an itemized written scope. Materials by brand and grade, labor, permits, disposal, and cleanup. "Replace roof — $14,000" is not a scope.
- Never pay large deposits. Ten percent or $1,000 (whichever is less) is a common legal cap for deposits in several states. Progress payments should track completed work.
- Confirm who pulls permits. The contractor should. A pro who asks you to pull an owner's permit is usually dodging licensing scrutiny.
- Get warranty terms in writing. Separate the workmanship warranty (the contractor's) from the manufacturer warranty, and confirm whether it transfers on sale.
- Compare at least two quotes. Not to always take the cheapest — to understand the fair local range and spot outliers in both directions.
- Trust the process, not the pressure. "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not a deadline. Legitimate pros put quotes in writing with 15–30 day validity.
Red flags that end the conversation
- Door-to-door solicitation right after a storm
- Cash-only pricing or "no permit needed" claims
- No physical business address or local references
- Pressure to sign an insurance assignment of benefits on the spot
- Deposit demands above state limits
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?
Two to three from licensed pros. The spread between highest and lowest routinely runs 20–40% on mid-size projects — comparing is the highest-ROI hour a homeowner can spend.
Is the cheapest quote a mistake?
Not automatically — but a quote far below the others usually means missing scope, uninsured labor, or change orders coming later. Ask the low bidder to walk you through their itemization.
What deposit is normal?
Many states cap deposits around 10% or a fixed dollar amount. Whatever your state allows, payments should track completed milestones — never pay for work not yet done.
Ready to talk to a licensed local pro? Get matched now or call (929) 597-8745.