Before employing a building contractor ask these questions

30/7/2019

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.ne

In a previous article Finding contractors for your home building and renovation project we discussed how you should go about looking for the right building contractor for your home building project. In another article Read This Before Selecting Your Home Renovation and Building Contractor we discussed what you should consider when you employ a contractor. In this article I present a few simple questions you should ask potential contractors before employing them for your home building project.

Will you prepare the plans (if this is a requirement)?
Will you arrange council and other required approvals?
Do you have insurance – including worker’s compensation insurance?
Is your company registered? (Check the registration provided.)
Do you have the required building licenses to work in this state? (Check that the license is valid and current.)
Can I have references of previous clients?
Will there be a full time project manager? If not how often will they be on site?
Will I be welcome to visit the project at any time?
Can I view other projects you've completed?
What other projects are you currently working on?
Do you have resources for my project?
What work will you subcontract?
Are there outstanding legal cases against your company?
Do you have the capabilities and experience to do the work?

In a future article we look at what to consider and check when reviewing the contractor's price.

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.

2 Comments

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.

and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'

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Homesmiths link

9/10/2020 06:53:15 pm

Everyone has So many question in mind Before employing a building contractor . Thanks for Sharing this blog Post

Thomas Bane link

24/4/2025 07:28:41 pm

This is such a valuable checklist—thank you for putting it together! As someone who's been through a few renovation projects, I can’t stress enough how important it is to ask the right questions upfront. It can save so much time, money, and stress down the line. I especially appreciated the point about checking for previous project experience and clear communication. Great advice for homeowners at any stage of the remodeling journey!

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