The contractor you choose determines whether your remodel is a success or a nightmare. Price matters, but it’s only one factor—and rarely the most important one. This guide covers what separates good contractors from bad ones, how to evaluate your options, and what to ask before signing anything.

Where to Find Contractors Worth Considering

The Best Source: Personal Referrals

Friends, neighbors, and coworkers who’ve completed similar projects are your best starting point. They can tell you not just whether the work turned out well, but what the experience was like—whether the contractor communicated well, stayed on budget, handled problems professionally, and left the site clean.

Ask specifically: “Would you hire them again?” The answer reveals more than any review.

The Second-Best Source: Trade References

If you’re using an architect, interior designer, or kitchen designer, they have relationships with contractors they’ve worked with before. These professionals stake their own reputations on referrals—they won’t recommend someone who makes them look bad.

Plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople also know which general contractors do quality work. They see the results across many projects.

Online Sources: Proceed with Caution

Houzz, HomeAdvisor, Angi (formerly Angie’s List), and similar platforms can help you discover contractors, but approach reviews critically.

Review manipulation is common. Some contractors incentivize positive reviews; some have negative reviews removed. A five-star average with only positive comments can indicate filtered reviews rather than perfect performance.

Look for reviewers who provide specific details. “John was great, highly recommend!” tells you nothing. “John managed our kitchen remodel for three months, communicated proactively about delays, and caught a plumbing issue before it became expensive” is useful information.

Check review dates. A contractor with great reviews from three years ago but nothing recent may have changed in quality, staff, or management.

Avoid These Sources

“Contractors” who show up unsolicited offering to do work they “noticed” your home needs. Legitimate contractors don’t cold-call.

Companies that advertise heavily on TV or radio with “special limited-time offers.” Marketing costs get passed to customers, and high-pressure tactics indicate a sales-driven rather than quality-driven operation.

The lowest bidder by a significant margin. If one contractor is 30% cheaper than everyone else, something is wrong—either they’re cutting corners, misunderstanding the scope, or won’t be in business long enough to honor their warranty.

The Vetting Process: Before You Get Quotes

Before any contractor visits your home, verify basic qualifications.

License Verification

Most states require contractors to be licensed. Verify license status through your state’s licensing board website—don’t just take the contractor’s word for it.

Check that the license is current (not expired), that it’s appropriate for the work you need (general contractor license, specialty license), and that there are no disciplinary actions or complaints.

Insurance Verification

Contractors need both general liability insurance (covers damage to your property) and workers’ compensation insurance (covers injuries to their employees on your property).

Ask for certificates of insurance, then call the insurance company to verify coverage is current. Policies can be canceled after certificates are issued; verification confirms active coverage.

Without proper insurance, you could be liable for injuries that occur on your property during the project.

Business Stability

How long has the contractor been operating under this business name? New businesses aren’t necessarily bad, but longevity indicates staying power. A contractor in business for 15 years has likely survived because they deliver reasonable results.

Check for a physical business address, not just a PO box or cell phone. Legitimate contractors have established operations.

Look up the business with your state’s secretary of state to confirm registration and check for any recorded judgments or liens.

Getting and Comparing Quotes

How Many Quotes to Get

Three quotes is standard advice, and it’s reasonable. Fewer than three doesn’t give you enough comparison points. More than five becomes unwieldy and wastes contractors’ time.

What to Provide for Accurate Quotes

The more specific you are, the more comparable your quotes will be. Provide the same information to each contractor: scope of work as detailed as possible, material selections (or at least quality level expectations), your timeline expectations, any specific requirements or concerns, and access to the space for measurement.

Red Flag Quote Behaviors

Verbal-only quotes. Professional contractors provide written quotes with itemized breakdowns. Verbal estimates are meaningless.

Quotes that seem to be missing major items. If one quote is dramatically lower, review what’s included. Missing categories (permits, debris removal, painting) make comparisons impossible.

Pressure to decide quickly. “This price is only good for 48 hours” is a sales tactic, not standard practice. Legitimate contractors understand that homeowners need time to make significant decisions.

Unwillingness to itemize. If a contractor won’t break down costs by category, you can’t compare effectively and won’t be able to track change orders accurately later.

Green Flag Quote Behaviors

Detailed written quotes with line items for each major component—demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinets, counters, labor, permits, etc.

Clear explanations of what’s included and what’s excluded.

Realistic timelines with explanation of factors that could cause delays.

Patience with your questions and willingness to explain unfamiliar items.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

About the Contractor and Their Business

Who will actually be on site daily? Many contractors send sales representatives to quote, then assign different crews to execute. Know who your primary contact will be during the project.

Do you use employees or subcontractors? Neither is inherently better, but you should know who’s working in your home. If subcontractors, are they insured and how long has the contractor worked with them?

How many projects do you run simultaneously? A contractor juggling too many projects may leave yours idle for days at a time.

What’s your payment schedule? Reasonable schedules involve a deposit (10-30%), progress payments tied to milestones, and final payment upon completion. Never pay in full upfront.

Can I speak with references from similar projects? Ask for contacts from projects similar to yours in scope and age. Call them. Ask about communication, timeline accuracy, budget adherence, problem resolution, and whether they’d hire this contractor again.

About Your Specific Project

What do you see as the biggest challenges in this project? A thoughtful contractor will have considered complexities specific to your situation. Vague answers suggest insufficient analysis.

What’s your process for handling unexpected issues? Remodels always uncover surprises. You want a contractor who has a clear process—stop work, assess, present options, get approval before proceeding.

How do you handle change orders? Get this in writing. Change orders should be documented, priced, and approved before work happens.

What does your warranty cover and for how long? Understand what’s covered (their work? materials? both?), what’s excluded, and how to invoke warranty service.

About Timeline and Communication

What’s your realistic timeline for this project? Be skeptical of timelines that seem too fast. Ask what could cause delays.

How will you communicate project updates? Daily emails, weekly calls, a project management app? Agree on communication expectations upfront.

What are your working hours, and will I be notified if those change? Know when to expect crews and how to handle schedule variations.

Red Flags During the Process

Before Signing

Requests for large upfront payment. More than 30% down is excessive. Requests for 50% or more upfront are serious warning signs.

Inability to provide references or verification documents. Licensed, insured, reputable contractors can produce these easily.

Resistance to putting things in writing. If they won’t commit to written terms, they’re planning to avoid accountability.

Badmouthing other contractors. Professionals don’t need to tear down competitors. Extensive criticism of others suggests difficult personality.

Pressure tactics. Real urgency is rare. Manufactured urgency is a manipulation.

Contract Red Flags

Vague scope descriptions. “Kitchen remodel” isn’t a contract term. Every item should be specified.

Missing or minimal warranty terms.

Payment schedules heavily weighted toward the beginning of the project.

No specified timeline or consequences for delays.

Clauses requiring you to waive rights (like the right to withhold final payment for incomplete work).

Green Flags That Suggest Quality

Professionalism Indicators

Prompt, professional communication. Returns calls/emails within a reasonable timeframe. Shows up for appointments on time.

Clean, organized presentation. Estimates are professionally formatted. Business materials look established.

Thoughtful questions about your needs. Good contractors want to understand what you’re trying to achieve, not just what you’re asking for.

Honest assessment of challenges. Contractors who acknowledge complications seem more trustworthy than those who make everything sound easy.

Experience Indicators

Portfolio of similar projects. Ask to see before/after photos of kitchen or bath projects comparable to yours.

Familiarity with your home’s era and construction type. If you have a 1920s home, a contractor experienced with older homes is valuable.

Knowledge of current codes and permit requirements.

Business Stability Indicators

Established supply relationships. Long-term relationships with suppliers often mean better pricing and priority for materials.

Recognizable name in the community. Local reputation matters; contractors can’t hide from it.

Willingness to wait for your decision. Confident contractors don’t need to pressure you—they have enough work.

The Contract: What to Include

Never start work without a written contract. The contract should include:

Complete scope of work in detail—not just “renovate bathroom” but every specific element.

Material specifications including brand names, model numbers, colors, and finishes.

Total price and payment schedule tied to completion milestones.

Timeline with start date, estimated completion date, and what happens if timelines slip significantly.

Change order process explaining how changes are requested, priced, and approved.

Permit responsibility clarifying who pulls permits and what they cover.

Warranty terms for both labor and materials.

Insurance requirements confirmed in the contract.

Termination clauses explaining what happens if either party needs to end the contract.

Dispute resolution process, whether that’s mediation, arbitration, or courts.

Trust Your Instincts

After all the verification and comparison, pay attention to how you feel about each contractor. You’ll be working closely with this person for weeks or months, and they’ll be in your home daily.

If something feels off—evasive answers, pushy behavior, a sense that you’re being handled rather than helped—that feeling usually has a basis even if you can’t articulate it.

The right contractor should make you feel confident. They should answer questions directly, demonstrate competence, and treat your project as important. If that basic sense of professionalism and respect isn’t there before the contract, it won’t appear after.

Your home deserves a contractor who treats it with care. Take the time to find one.