Hiring a remodeling contractor means trusting someone with your home or business, your money and often your daily routine for weeks. The best protection is asking the right questions before you sign anything, and paying attention to how the contractor answers.
Here’s a list we’d want our own family to use. It works whether you’re remodeling a kitchen in Deer Park or updating a small office or retail space in Pasadena.
Questions About the Business
1. How long have you been in business, and where do you work?
You want a contractor with a real presence in your area who knows local permitting and local conditions, such as humidity, flooding and wind.
2. Can you show proof of insurance?
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance, ideally sent straight from the insurance agent. Ask how subcontractors are insured too.
3. Who will actually do the work?
Many general contractors, including us, manage the project and use trade subcontractors for specialties like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, tile and drywall. That’s normal. What matters is that the contractor stands behind the work, coordinates the schedule and is responsible for quality. Ask who your day-to-day contact will be.
4. Are your plumbers, electricians and HVAC techs licensed?
Texas doesn’t have a statewide general contractor license, but it does license plumbers (through TSBPE) and electricians and HVAC contractors (through TDLR). Those trades should hold current state licenses, which you can look up online.
5. Can I see reviews and talk to references?
Check several review sites and the Better Business Bureau. Ask for references from recent projects that are similar to yours.
Questions About the Estimate
6. Is the estimate written and itemized?
A one-line price doesn’t let you compare bids or understand what you’re paying for.
7. What’s included, and what isn’t?
Ask specifically about permits, debris removal, cleanup, painting, appliance installation and repairs to surrounding areas.
8. What are the allowances?
If the estimate includes allowances for items you haven’t picked yet, such as tile, fixtures or cabinets, ask what they’re based on. If your selections cost more than the allowance, you pay the difference.
9. How do you handle hidden damage?
In older Gulf Coast homes, opening walls can reveal water damage, mold or outdated wiring. The answer you want: “We stop, show you, and give you a written change order with a price before we fix it.”
Questions About Permits and Inspections
10. Will you pull the permits?
The contractor should know which permits your city requires and handle them. Permits protect you.
11. What inspections will the job need?
Knowing this helps you understand the schedule and confirms that the contractor isn’t planning to skip steps.
Questions About the Contract and Payments
12. Will we have a written contract?
It should include scope, materials, price, payment schedule, timeline, change order process, permits, warranty and cleanup.
13. What’s the payment schedule?
Payments should follow completed work. Be careful with anyone who asks for most of the money before starting.
14. Will you provide lien waivers?
In Texas, unpaid subcontractors and suppliers may be able to file liens on your property. Lien waivers help show that they’ve been paid, but they only count if they substantially follow the statutory forms in Texas Property Code §53.284. Unconditional waivers should only be signed after payment is actually received.
15. How are change orders handled?
Every change should be written and priced, and you should approve it before the work is done.
Questions About the Schedule
16. When can you start, and how long will it take?
Ask for a written schedule with major phases. Be cautious of anyone who promises an unusually fast timeline without having seen your selections.
17. What could delay the project?
An honest contractor will mention material lead times, inspections, hidden damage and weather.
18. What hours will crews be working, and how will you protect my home?
Ask about dust protection, covering floors, securing the site, and access to the bathroom and parking.
19. How will we communicate?
Phone, text or email? How often will you update me? Who do I call if something comes up?
Questions for Commercial Projects
20. Can you work around my business hours?
Small business owners may need work done after hours or in phases to stay open.
21. Are you familiar with commercial permitting and code requirements?
Commercial projects may involve additional requirements, such as accessibility, fire code and occupancy rules. For example, under the Texas Architectural Barriers Act, many non-residential projects with an estimated construction cost of $50,000 or more must be registered with TDLR and reviewed and inspected by a Registered Accessibility Specialist. Cities add their own steps: Nassau Bay’s Fire Marshal requires additional permits and plan reviews for all commercial projects, and most cities require a certificate of occupancy before a space is used.
Questions About After the Job
22. What warranty do you offer?
Get the warranty in writing. Ask what it covers, for how long, and how to make a claim. Manufacturer warranties on products are separate.
23. What happens at the end of the job?
There should be a final walkthrough, a punch list, final inspections and cleanup before the final payment.
Pay Attention to How They Answer
The answers matter, but so does the attitude. A good contractor welcomes questions. If someone gets defensive, gives vague answers or pushes you to sign quickly, take that as your answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contractors should I get bids from?
Two or three written bids with the same scope is a reasonable way to compare price and approach.
Is it a bad sign if a contractor uses subcontractors?
No. It’s common in remodeling. What matters is that the general contractor manages the work, uses licensed trades where required and takes responsibility for the result.
Should I always choose the lowest bid?
Not necessarily. Compare scope, materials, allowances, schedule and how each contractor handles changes.
Ask Us Anything
Green Dynasty Construction is glad to answer every question on this list. We work with homeowners and small commercial owners in La Porte, Deer Park, Pasadena, Baytown, Seabrook, League City and Houston. Call 832-304-0636 to talk about your project with our team in La Porte, TX.