The best contractors welcome these questions. If a contractor gets defensive or evasive, that tells you something important before you spend any money.
2. Can You Provide Current Certificates of Insurance?
You need current general liability AND workers' compensation certificates. Ask them to email the certificates directly from their insurance agent — this prevents forgeries.
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📅 Get a Free Estimate4. Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work?
Some contractors are primarily salespeople who subcontract all the work. Know who will be on your property and whether they're employees of the contractor or independent subs (whose insurance you should also verify).
5. Can You Provide References from Similar Projects in the Last Year?
Ask for references from projects similar to yours, completed recently. Call them. Ask if the work passed inspection and if they'd hire the contractor again.
6. What's the Payment Schedule?
A fair schedule: 10-30% deposit, milestone payments during the project, 10-15% final payment upon completion and your satisfaction.
7. How Do You Handle Change Orders?
The answer should be: in writing, signed by both parties, with the cost specified before work begins. Verbal change order agreements lead to disputes.
8. What's the Realistic Timeline?
Get a written start date and estimated completion date.
9. What's Included in "Cleanup"?
Debris disposal in Westchester costs real money. Make sure your contract specifies what gets removed and by whom. A clean site every day is a sign of a professional operation.
10. What Warranty Do You Provide on Labor?
One year on labor is standard in Westchester. Some contractors offer more. Get it in writing.