10 Questions to Ask a Home Improvement Contractor Before You Sign

Most homeowners only hire a major home improvement contractor once or twice in their lives. That inexperience, combined with a crowded market full of unlicensed operators and contractors whose credentials don't hold up to scrutiny, is exactly why the FTC flags home improvement scams as one of the most common forms of consumer fraud. The good news: a short list of direct questions separates the trustworthy companies from the ones you'll regret.

After 35 years and 50,000+ installs across St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, Chicago, and Atlanta, we've heard from homeowners who wished they'd asked these questions before signing. We've also heard from thousands who did their homework and had a great experience. This post gives you the exact questions to ask — and tells you what to listen for in the answers.

Key Takeaways

Always verify a contractor's license and insurance before any work begins — your state licensing board and the BBB can confirm both in minutes.

A written contract covering scope, timeline, materials, and payment schedule is non-negotiable — never authorize work on a verbal agreement alone.

Google review response patterns reveal more about a contractor's character than the star rating itself.

Why Most Homeowners Regret Not Asking These Questions Upfront

So why do so many homeowners skip this step entirely? Usually because the contractor controls the conversation from the moment they walk in the door.

Skipping contractor due diligence isn't just a financial risk — it's a legal one. According to the FTC's consumer guidance on home improvement scams, common fraud patterns include contractors who collect a large deposit and disappear, perform shoddy work with no recourse, or pressure homeowners into high-interest financing agreements. The questions below are designed to surface these risks before you're committed.

The frustrating reality is that most contractor conversations are dominated by the contractor's pitch. They tell you about their product, their timeline, their financing. The homeowner listens, nods, and signs. We've seen this pattern thousands of times. The homeowners who walk away satisfied are almost always the ones who came in with a list of their own questions — and expected direct answers.

Think of it this way: a reputable contractor welcomes scrutiny. They've been licensed for years, their insurance is current, their reviews are public, and their contracts are clear. They don't get defensive when you ask hard questions. If a contractor hesitates or pivots when you ask about licensing, insurance, or written contracts, that hesitation is itself an answer.

Questions 1–3: Credentials, Licensing, and Insurance (The Non-Negotiables)

The three most important questions you can ask any contractor are about credentials, licensing, and insurance — and they must all be verified in writing, not just confirmed verbally. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), working with a licensed, insured contractor is the single most important step a homeowner can take to protect themselves during a remodel.

Question 1: Are you licensed to do this type of work in this state?

Licensing requirements vary by state and by type of work. General contracting, roofing, electrical, and HVAC each carry different licensing thresholds. Your state's contractor licensing board website will let you search by company name or license number — the BBB also recommends this step and will note licensing violations on a company's public profile. A licensed company like ours will provide a license number on request and won't hesitate when you say you plan to verify it.

What to listen for: A confident, immediate answer with a license number. Hedging ("we work under our partner's license"), vague responses ("we're in the process of renewing"), or any reluctance to share documentation are red flags.

Question 2: Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance?

If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may be liable. If the work damages your home and the contractor isn't insured, you have no coverage path. General liability protects your property; workers' comp protects you from claims by their crew. A reputable company will provide a certificate of insurance on request — ask for it before the first nail goes in.

What to listen for: Willingness to provide an actual certificate, not just a verbal confirmation. The certificate should name a specific insurance carrier, policy number, and coverage dates. If the contractor says they'll bring it "when they start work," that's too late — you need it before you sign.

Question 3: Are your subcontractors also licensed and insured?

Many large home improvement projects involve subcontractors for specific trades. Ask directly whether the company uses in-house crews, subcontractors, or a combination — and whether subs are held to the same licensing and insurance standards as the primary contractor. Unlicensed subcontractor labor is one of the most common quality-control failures in residential remodeling.

What to listen for: A clear answer about workforce structure, not defensiveness. At Midtown, we use trained, vetted crews and hold our partners to the same standards we hold ourselves.

Questions 4–6: Experience, References, and Project Portfolio

Credentials tell you a contractor is legal. Experience tells you whether they're actually good at what they do. These three questions help you evaluate track record — not just claims about it.

Question 4: How many projects like mine have you completed?

Generic experience doesn't tell you much. A company that has installed 50,000+ windows and doors across five metro markets has seen nearly every structural variable, weather condition, and installation challenge. A company that has done a handful of projects in your category is still learning. Ask specifically about your project type, your home's age or construction style, and your geography — local experience matters for climate and code compliance.

Our perspective: In 35 years operating across markets as different as Nashville (hail and humidity), Chicago (freeze-thaw cycles), and Atlanta (extreme heat expansion), we've encountered installation challenges that only come with volume. Experience isn't just about counting projects — it's about what you've learned from thousands of them.

Question 5: Can you provide references from the last 12 months in my area?

Asking for references is standard advice. Asking for recent references in your area filters out cherry-picked testimonials from years ago or markets with different conditions and code requirements. Call the references. Ask specifically about timeline, communication, how disputes were handled, and whether they'd hire the contractor again. NARI recommends at minimum three recent references for any major remodeling project.

Green light: References provided readily and without hesitation. A contractor who takes days to produce a reference list, or whose references all seem to know the sales rep personally, warrants more scrutiny.

Question 6: Can I see photos or examples of completed projects similar to mine?

A portfolio isn't just marketing — it's proof of workmanship. Ask to see photos of comparable projects: similar home age, similar materials, similar scope. Ask whether any completed projects are local and available for a drive-by. If a contractor serves your specific market, there should be completed work in your neighborhood you can look at.

Questions 7–8: The Contract, Timeline, and Payment Terms

A signed contract is your only protection if something goes wrong. The questions in this section are about ensuring that contract is complete — and that payment terms don't leave you exposed.

Question 7: What does the contract specify about scope, materials, timeline, and payment?

The FTC advises never to sign a contract with blank spaces, vague scope language, or undefined material specifications. A complete contract should include: a detailed description of work to be done; the specific materials, brands, and grades to be used; a project start date and estimated completion date; a payment schedule tied to project milestones (not calendar dates); and a process for handling change orders.

What to listen for: A contractor who hands you a contract that covers all of the above without being asked is demonstrating professional maturity. A contractor who hands you a one-page form with a project description of "window installation" and a total price is handing you a liability.

Question 8: What is the payment schedule, and what percentage is due upfront?

Legitimate contractors do not require full payment — or even a majority of payment — before work begins. The FTC warns that demanding a large upfront deposit is one of the most common precursors to contractor fraud. A standard structure typically involves a modest deposit at signing (often 10–30% for materials procurement), with the balance paid in milestone-based installments tied to verified progress.

Ask follow-up if: The payment schedule isn't tied to specific project milestones. Requests for more than one-third of the total cost before work begins are a yellow flag. Requests for cash, wire transfer, or money order warrant extra caution — these payment methods have no consumer protection mechanisms.

Question 9: What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?

Every contractor will tell you their work is flawless. The one worth hiring will also tell you exactly what they'll do if it isn't. A clear, written warranty and a documented dispute resolution process are signs of a company that takes accountability seriously — not just a company that's confident nothing will go wrong.

Ask specifically: What does the warranty cover, and for how long? Is it a manufacturer's warranty on materials, a workmanship warranty from the company, or both? What is the process if you discover a defect six months after installation? Will they send someone out, or will you be navigating a claims hotline?

At Midtown, we've been in business since 1990. Our reputation is built on returning calls, standing behind our work, and treating warranty claims as an opportunity to demonstrate accountability — not an inconvenience to manage. That's a standard worth holding every contractor you interview to.

The BBB recommends checking a contractor's complaint history before signing. A company with a long track record will have some complaints — what matters is whether those complaints were resolved, and how quickly.

Question 10: Can I See Your Google Reviews — And How Do You Respond to Negative Ones?

Aggregate star ratings are a starting point, not a conclusion. A 4.2-star average with 40 reviews and a 4.8-star average with 1,000 reviews are not equivalent signals. Volume, recency, and specificity all matter. We've maintained a 5-star average across 1,066+ Google reviews — not because nothing ever goes wrong, but because we have a consistent process for making it right when it does.

Here's what to look for when evaluating a contractor's Google review profile:

Volume and recency. Does the company have reviews from the last 90 days? A large review count from three years ago and recent silence can indicate service quality changes or staff turnover.

Specificity. Reviews that mention specific crew members, project types, or locations are more credible than generic five-star submissions with no narrative. Search for reviews mentioning your specific project type (e.g., "windows," "siding," "doors").

Response pattern on negative reviews. This is the most revealing signal of all. When a contractor receives a one- or two-star review, how do they respond? A professional response acknowledges the concern, offers a direct contact to resolve it, and avoids public defensiveness or blame-shifting. An unprofessional response argues with the reviewer, dismisses the complaint, or doesn't exist at all. The response to a negative review tells you exactly what post-installation customer service will look like.

You can read our Google reviews at our reviews page — including our responses to every review we've received.

Red Flags to Watch For Even After You've Asked All the Right Questions

Passing the question gauntlet doesn't guarantee a smooth project. These warning signs can appear at any stage of the sales or project process.

Door-to-door solicitation after storms. This is the pattern of out-of-state contractors who materialize after a major weather event with no local license, no verifiable local address, and no history in the market. The red flag isn't the knock on the door — it's what they can't produce when you ask: a state license number you can look up, a certificate of insurance, and a physical local business address. Verify all three before the conversation goes further.

Committing before credential verification is complete. Whether a contractor's schedule is full or a project slot is limited, the rule is the same: verify license, insurance, and written contract terms before you sign. The risk isn't a timeline — it's signing with someone whose credentials you haven't confirmed yet.

No physical address or local presence. A legitimate company serving your market has a verifiable local address, a listed phone number, and a history of work in your community. If the company's address is a P.O. box, a residential address, or out of state, investigate further before proceeding.

Vague or verbal-only contracts. Never authorize work without a written contract that specifies scope, materials, timeline, and payment structure. The FTC is explicit: do not sign a document with blank spaces, and do not rely on verbal promises.

Significantly lower bids than competitors. The lowest bid is rarely the best bid. Material quality, crew experience, and warranty coverage are often where contractors cut costs to hit a price point. Request a detailed, itemized written estimate — and evaluate what it includes, not just the bottom number.

Unlicensed or unverified crew. If workers arrive at your home and their uniforms don't match the company you hired, or if a quick check of the license number you were given returns no result, stop the project and ask for clarification before work begins.

What Midtown's Veteran-Owned Standard Means in Practice

Midtown Home Improvements is veteran-owned, and that shapes how we operate in ways that matter to homeowners. Military culture emphasizes accountability, precision, clear communication, and doing what you said you'd do — whether or not someone is watching. We don't show up late and blame traffic. We don't hand you a contract with vague language and hope you won't notice. We don't disappear after the check clears.

It also means we're deeply aware that the people most targeted by contractor fraud are often older homeowners, military families, and veterans themselves. We take that seriously. Part of our mission is building a track record in every market we serve — St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, Chicago, and Atlanta — that raises the standard for what homeowners should expect from a home improvement company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credentials should a home improvement contractor have?

At minimum, a licensed contractor should hold a current state license for the type of work being performed, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. Many reputable contractors also hold industry certifications through organizations like NARI, which requires adherence to a documented code of ethics and verified business practices. Always verify the license number directly with your state licensing board — verbal confirmation isn't sufficient.

What should I look for in a written home improvement estimate?

A written estimate should specify the exact materials by brand and grade, detail every scope item, include permit responsibility, and break out the payment schedule tied to project milestones — not just a bottom-line number. The depth of a written estimate tells you how well a contractor understands your project. A vague one-page total is a warning sign; a detailed line-item breakdown is what you want before signing.

What should a home improvement contract include?

A complete contract should specify: the full scope of work; the exact materials, brands, and product grades to be installed; project start and estimated completion dates; a milestone-based payment schedule; a process for handling changes to scope or materials; and the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials. Per the FTC, never sign a contract that contains blank spaces or describes the work in vague terms.

Is it a red flag if a contractor asks for a large deposit upfront?

A modest deposit — typically 10–30% — for materials procurement is standard. Requests for more than one-third of the total project cost before work begins are a yellow flag worth questioning. The FTC's home improvement scam guidance identifies large upfront payment demands as one of the most reliable indicators of contractor fraud. Payment by cash, wire transfer, or money order in lieu of check or credit card removes your only consumer protection options.

How do I verify a contractor's license and insurance?

Search your state's contractor licensing board website by company name or license number — most states have a free public lookup tool. For insurance, ask the contractor to provide a certificate of insurance directly from their insurance carrier (not a document they've prepared themselves). The certificate should list the carrier name, policy number, coverage types, and expiration date. The BBB also tracks licensing violations in company profiles and will flag businesses operating without required licenses.

What does Inc. 5000 recognition mean for a home improvement company?

The Inc. 5000 list recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, measured by verified revenue growth over a three-year period. For a home improvement company, Inc. 5000 recognition indicates sustained business growth backed by real customer demand — not a one-time spike. It also requires the submission of verified financial data, which adds a layer of credibility to the company's stated track record. Midtown Home Improvements is an Inc. 5000 honoree.

How important are Google reviews when choosing a contractor?

Google reviews are one of the most useful vetting tools available — but only when read correctly. Look at total review volume, recency (reviews within the last 90 days), and the specificity of reviewer descriptions. Most importantly, read how the company responds to negative reviews. A contractor who responds to complaints with professionalism and a resolution offer demonstrates the same accountability you'll need if something goes wrong with your project. You can read Midtown's Google reviews and response history here.

Ready to Get a Straight Answer?

If you want to ask these questions directly — find your nearest Midtown location — we welcome them. We've been answering them for 35 years. Contact us here and our licensed, insured team will walk you through every detail with a complete written contract before anything is agreed to.

Bring your list. We'll bring ours.

Sources

Federal Trade Commission. "How to Avoid a Home Improvement Scam." https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam. Retrieved June 2026.
Better Business Bureau. "How to Hire a Reliable and Trustworthy General Contractor." https://www.bbb.org/all/home-improvement/how-to-hire-a-reliable-and-trustworthy-general-contractor. Retrieved June 2026.
National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). https://nari.org/. Retrieved June 2026.