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14 Questions to ask your building contractor's clients

7/8/2019

7 Comments

 

Will you want to hire your building contractor after speaking to their clients?

PictureImage courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Over the last few weeks we've looked at a number of serious building defects which have left home owners distressed, out of pocket, and sometimes without a home. Many home owners face the prospect of lengthy legal battles to recover money spent on fixing building problems. This included the horror story of a major UK builder who delivered hundreds of substandard homes. Another article on an  Australian apartment that cost $1.7 million which isn't fit to live in  a year after completion, and more. In other articles I've discussed how you can ensure you are hiring the right building contractor. These articles include Read this before selecting you home building and renovation contractor and Before employing a building contractor ask these questions. 

To ensure you employ a reputable building contractor it's important to ask your contractors for a list of references of past clients and projects. What building projects have they worked on? Are these similar to the work you are asking them to execute? Were these projects completed successfully - finished on time, without fuss and of good quality? But don't just take the contractor's word for it, rather talk to these past clients and ask them these important questions:
  • What was the scope and size of the project that the contractor completed and when was it finished?
  • Were you satisfied with the work?
  • Was the quality good?
  • Did they finish it when they said they would?
  • Did they communicate regularly with you?
  • Was the contractor's management frequently on the project?
  • Were there problems? What were they and how did the contractor handle them? Were the problems sorted promptly? (Remember that almost every building project will encounter problems and there probably will be an error or two along the way - but it's not so much about the problem, rather about the solution and how quickly and efficiently the contractor dealt with the issue.)
  • How easy were they to contact? Did they return phone calls and emails? Were they responsive?
  • Did they work safely?
  • Did they keep the project site tidy?
  • Were there extra costs? Why? Did they advise you ahead of time that you would incur these additional costs? Were they fair and reasonable?
  • Was the contractor helpful? Did they provide good advice?
  • Did the neighbours have any complaints about the contractor?
  • What advice would you give me if I was to hire this contractor?
It's vital that you employ the right contractor for your building project. Take the time to thoroughly investigate them to ensure that they will be the right contractor for your project. Knowing some of the issues that previous clients encountered with the contractor will make you more prepared to manage them should you employ them. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses will enable you to quickly deal with problems before they occur, and it will often give you confidence to deal with the contractor.

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​This is an extract from my new book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' which also contains lots more valuable information to save you money and ensure that your home build or renovation project is a success. Click on the image to read a preview on Amazon. The book is available in paper or ebook form from Amazon and other online stores, or ask your local bookstore to order a copy for you. For tips on designing your new house as well as renovation ideas read Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home 
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

7 Comments
Charlotte Fleet link
27/1/2021 06:31:52 am

My brother and his wife are building their first home and are hoping to find a reputable building contractor for the job. I appreciate your statement about how it is essential to ask a contractor for a list of references that you can contact and ask questions before you hire them. I will suggest that my brother and sister-in-law ask any potential home builder for a list of their past clients that my brother can contact.

Reply
1 Degree Construction link
1/4/2025 07:17:10 pm

Great list of questions! As a contractor myself, I can vouch for how important it is to be transparent and communicate openly with clients. Building trust from the start makes a huge difference, especially when unexpected issues come up. Getting honest feedback from previous clients helps set realistic expectations — it’s definitely worth the extra effort!

Reply
Bithi link
11/5/2025 02:02:21 pm

This is a must-read for anyone planning a building or renovation project. The emphasis on speaking directly with previous clients is spot-on—there's really no substitute for hearing honest feedback from someone who's already been through the process with a contractor. I appreciate how this article doesn't sugarcoat the potential issues but instead focuses on proactive steps to avoid major headaches. The suggested questions are incredibly practical and comprehensive—I'm definitely saving this list for future reference. Thank you for providing such valuable guidance in an industry where trust is so crucial!

Reply
MD. Moinul Islam Moeen link
12/5/2025 11:17:00 am

“This is such a helpful checklist—thank you! Too many people underestimate how crucial it is to speak directly with past clients before hiring a builder. I’ve seen friends deal with nightmare projects simply because they didn’t dig deep enough beforehand. I especially liked your point about how contractors handle problems—not whether they exist, but how they’re solved. That really says everything about their professionalism. I’ll be bookmarking this for when we’re finally ready to tackle our own home renovation!”

Reply
Nathan Rowe link
19/5/2025 04:43:58 pm

This article offers a comprehensive set of questions to ask previous clients of a building contractor, providing invaluable insights into their reliability, communication, and problem-solving abilities. By addressing aspects such as project scope, timeliness, quality of work, and responsiveness, the guide equips homeowners with the tools to make informed decisions when hiring a contractor. It's a must-read for anyone looking to ensure a smooth and successful construction experience.

Reply
Nathan Rowe link
19/5/2025 04:49:55 pm

This article provides invaluable insights for homeowners seeking to hire a building contractor. By emphasizing the importance of asking previous clients about project scope, quality, communication, and problem-solving, it equips readers with the tools to make informed decisions. Understanding how a contractor handles challenges and manages costs can significantly impact the success of a construction project. A must-read for anyone embarking on a home renovation or building journey.

Reply
Usha link
15/6/2025 06:09:58 pm

First off, thanks a ton for a super practical guide—your post on the “14 Questions to Ask Your Building Contractor’s Clients” is exactly the kind of no-nonsense advice homeowners need when diving into the sometimes murky world of construction. I love how you kick things off with the obvious but overlooked questions: scope, quality, timeliness. It’s one thing to ask “Did they finish on time?” and another to follow up with “How did they handle those inevitable hiccups?”. That distinction really resonated with me because every build I’ve heard about or been a part of faced unexpected challenges—but it’s the contractor’s response that defines the difference between a nightmare and a success

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    Author

    I’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you.
    'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' are my latest books. packed with tips and information to ensure your home construction project is a success. Get your copy today from Amazon and other online stores.

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  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
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