When hiring a remodeling contractor, it pays to ask lots of questions. Here's a sampling of questions that will help you find out more about the background of a remodeling contractor.

Business

1. How long have you been in business?
2. Is your home improvement business registered with a state regulatory agency or our local municipality (where required)?
3. Have you ever had disciplinary action filed against you by any state or local agency or a homeowner? Why and how was it resolved?
4. Have you had lawsuits filed against you regarding this home improvement business?
5. What type of home improvement insurance do you carry and what are the dollar limits?
6. Do you have remodeling employees or use subcontractors. How long have your employees been working for you?
7. If you have employees, do you carry worker's compensation insurance (often required by the state)?

Training/Skills

1. How long have you been working as a kitchen remodeling contractor?
2. How did you learn your kitchen design skill? What is your level of skill in kitchen remodeling?

Management

1. How often do you communicate with your customers during a kitchen remodeling?
2. During our home improvement project, how quickly could I reach you in an emergency?
3. Describe your approach to problem solving/resolving regarding kitchen design?
4. Do you issue lien waivers? (Insist that they do!) How is this handled?
5. What safety issues do you consider when leaving the home improvement job at the end of the day?
6. We have children/pets. How can you make this kitchen remodeling project less stressful for them?
7. How many home improvement jobs do you currently have going? How many workers are used to manage those jobs?
8. I'd like the name of 3 references who had similar kitchen remodeling projects completed in the last year.
9. Can you give me the names of two home improvement suppliers you have worked with regularly?

Last Thoughts

One negative issue in a home improvement contractor's past does not necessarily mean trouble, but a pattern of misrepresentation could. You should also focus on the contractor's response to the questions. Any reputable home improvement contractor's should be happy to answer questions about his/her business. Be concerned if the contractor is evasive and continually avoids answering your questions.