Ask who is responsible for the project
Who sells the job? Who manages the crew? Are workers employees, subcontractors, or both? Who is the homeowner’s day-to-day contact?
Ask how the scope was determined
A contractor should be able to explain what was observed and why the proposed solution fits those conditions.
Ask what is excluded
Exclusions matter as much as inclusions. Repairs, permits, specialty trades, painting, disposal, structural work, or finish items may be outside the proposal.
Ask how changes and payments work
Understand deposits, progress payments, final payment, and what must happen before each payment is due. Ask how changes are approved in writing.
Bring this checklist to the estimate
- Who supervises the work?
- Are you insured for this work?
- What exact materials are quoted?
- What is excluded?
- How are hidden conditions priced?
- Who handles permits if needed?
- How is property protected?
- What is the expected schedule?
- Who are the subcontractors?
- How are change orders approved?
- What is the payment schedule?
- What workmanship warranty applies?
- Who handles manufacturer warranty?
- How is cleanup handled?
- Who do I call after completion?
QuoteGeni education note: This guide helps homeowners prepare for contractor conversations. It is not a building-code determination, engineering opinion, inspection, or project quote. Requirements and conditions vary by property and municipality.