About the scope
- What did you notice on the walk-through that I didn't mention?
- What's most likely to change once demolition starts?
- What would you do differently if this were your house?
- What part of this scope are you least certain about, and why?
About the work
- Who will be on site day to day?
- Which portions are self-performed and which are subcontracted?
- How do you protect the rest of the house during construction?
- What are your daily cleanup standards?
About communication
- Who is my single point of contact?
- How often will I get an update, and in what form?
- How do I raise a concern mid-project?
- How do you tell me about a problem you find?
About money and schedule
- What triggers each payment?
- How are change orders priced and documented?
- What is the realistic sequence, and which items have long lead times?
- What would delay this project, and how would I hear about it?
About completion
- How is the punch list generated and by whom?
- What does the final walkthrough cover?
- What is warranted, and for how long?
- Who do I call in a year if something needs attention?
Verify the basics
Confirm licensing and insurance directly rather than relying on a statement. Ask for certificates and check that coverage is current for the dates of your project.
What to take away
- Ask what the contractor noticed that you didn't mention.
- Ask what's most likely to change — the honest answer isn't "nothing."
- Confirm insurance and licensing independently.
- Get the change order and communication process in writing.