title: "50 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Washington Contractor" description: "The complete checklist of questions every Washington homeowner should ask before signing a contract. Covers licensing, insurance, experience, pricing, timeline, and red flags." pubDate: 2026-03-11 lastVerified: 2026-03-11 author: "Washington Contractors Editorial Team" category: "guides" tags: ["hiring guide", "contractor questions", "due diligence", "contractor vetting"] schema: type: "HowTo" about: "Questions to ask before hiring a contractor"

50 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Washington Contractor

Hiring the wrong contractor can turn your dream renovation into a nightmare—costing you thousands in repairs, legal fees, and stress. The best defense? Asking the right questions before you sign anything.

We've compiled the essential questions that separate professional contractors from problems waiting to happen. Print this list, bring it to your meetings, and don't hire anyone who can't answer these confidently.

Licensing & Legal (Questions 1-10)

These aren't optional. Washington law requires contractors to meet specific standards.

1. What is your Washington contractor registration number?

Why it matters: Every contractor must be registered with L&I for projects over $500. Verify it at verify.lni.wa.gov.

Red flag: Hesitation, excuses ("it's being renewed"), or offering someone else's number.

2. What type of contractor registration do you hold?

Why it matters: Washington has different registration types:

General contractor: Can perform or supervise all construction work
Specialty contractor: Limited to specific trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.)

Red flag: A specialty contractor bidding on work outside their license scope.

3. Can I see your proof of insurance?

Why it matters: You need to see:

General liability insurance (minimum $1M recommended)
Workers' compensation coverage (verify at L&I)

Red flag: "I'm covered by my homeowner's policy" or certificates that are expired.

4. Are all your subcontractors licensed and insured?

Why it matters: If an unlicensed sub injures themselves or damages your property, you may be liable.

Good answer: "Yes, and I can provide their license numbers and insurance certificates."

5. Have you had any L&I complaints or violations?

Why it matters: Complaint history is searchable on the L&I website. Ask them to explain any issues.

Red flag: Claiming no history when records show otherwise.

6. Do you pull all required permits for your projects?

Why it matters: Unpermitted work can void your insurance, create liability, and cause problems when selling.

Red flag: "We can skip permits to save you money."

7. Have you ever had your license suspended or revoked?

Why it matters: This indicates serious violations. Even if reinstated, understand what happened.

8. What is your bond amount?

Why it matters: Washington minimums are $12,000 (general) or $6,000 (specialty). For larger projects, ask if they carry higher bonds.

9. Who will actually be doing the work?

Why it matters: Know if it's the owner, employees, or subcontractors. Get names and verify their credentials.

Red flag: Vague answers like "my guys" or "whoever's available."

10. Are you incorporated? What's your business structure?

Why it matters: Established businesses (LLC, Corporation) provide more accountability than sole proprietors who may be harder to pursue legally.

Experience & Expertise (Questions 11-20)

Past performance predicts future results.

11. How long have you been in business?

Why it matters: Longevity indicates stability and satisfied customers. But don't automatically disqualify newer contractors—pair this with other factors.

12. How many projects like mine have you completed?

Why it matters: You want someone experienced in your specific project type—not a roofer attempting their first kitchen remodel.

13. Can you provide references from similar projects?

Why it matters: Ask for 3-5 references from the past 12 months. Actually call them.

Questions for references:

Was the project completed on time and budget?
How did they handle problems?
Would you hire them again?

14. Can I see examples of your recent work?

Why it matters: Photos are good, but visiting an active job site (with permission) is better. Look for cleanliness, organization, and professionalism.

15. Have you worked on homes built in my home's era?

Why it matters: Older homes (pre-1978) may have lead paint, asbestos, or outdated wiring. Newer homes have different systems. Experience with your home type matters.

16. What specialized training or certifications do you have?

Why it matters: Industry certifications indicate ongoing education:

NARI: National Association of the Remodeling Industry
NAHB: National Association of Home Builders
EPA Lead-Safe: Required for pre-1978 homes
ENERGY STAR: Energy efficiency expertise

17. Do you specialize in residential or commercial work?

Why it matters: Residential and commercial construction require different skills, codes, and approaches.

18. What is your company's safety record?

Why it matters: A strong safety culture indicates professionalism and reduces your liability exposure.

19. How do you stay current with building codes?

Why it matters: Washington building codes update regularly. A professional stays informed.

Good answer: "We attend continuing education, subscribe to code update services, and have good relationships with local inspectors."

20. Are you a member of any professional associations?

Why it matters: Memberships in trade associations (AGC, BIAW, local builder associations) indicate industry commitment.

Project Planning (Questions 21-30)

Get specifics before the work begins.

21. Will you provide a detailed written estimate?

Why it matters: Estimates should itemize:

Labor costs
Materials (with specific products named)
Permits and fees
Contingency allowance

Red flag: Vague one-line estimates or refusal to provide documentation.

22. What's included in this price—and what's not?

Why it matters: Clarify what's excluded to avoid surprise charges:

Permit fees
Disposal costs
Utility trenching
Landscaping restoration
Furniture moving

23. How do you handle change orders?

Why it matters: Projects evolve. Know the process and markup (typically 10-20%) before work starts.

Good answer: "All changes require written approval before work proceeds, with costs documented."

24. What is your realistic timeline for this project?

Why it matters: Add 20-30% to any estimate for contingencies. Be wary of timelines that seem too fast.

25. What could delay this project?

Why it matters: Professional contractors identify risks upfront:

Permit delays
Material availability
Weather (for exterior work)
Inspection scheduling
Hidden conditions (behind walls, underground)

26. What hours will your crew be working?

Why it matters: Know what to expect—typical is 7am-5pm weekdays. Discuss impacts on your household.

27. Who will be my primary point of contact?

Why it matters: You need one person who's accountable and reachable—ideally the project manager or owner.

28. How will you protect my home during construction?

Why it matters: Professional contractors use:

Drop cloths and floor protection
Dust barriers and negative air pressure
Covered pathways
Daily cleanup

29. Where will workers park? Use the bathroom?

Why it matters: Set expectations upfront to avoid surprises. Many contractors bring portable toilets for longer projects.

30. Do you provide a written contract?

Why it matters: Washington law requires written contracts for projects over $1,000. Never proceed without one.

Financial (Questions 31-40)

Protect your money.

31. What is your payment schedule?

Why it matters: Standard structure:

0-10% deposit (never more than $1,000 on small jobs)
Progress payments tied to milestones
Final 10-15% held until completion and walkthrough

Red flag: Requesting 50%+ upfront or payment before any work begins.

32. Do you require a deposit? How much?

Why it matters: Washington allows deposits, but reasonable amounts are 10% or $1,000 (whichever is less) for most projects. Large deposits create risk if the contractor disappears.

33. What payment methods do you accept?

Why it matters: Checks and credit cards provide documentation. Avoid cash-only contractors.

Note: Some contractors offer discounts for check payments (avoiding credit card fees). This is legitimate if documented.

34. Will you provide lien waivers with each payment?

Why it matters: Lien waivers prove subcontractors and suppliers are paid, protecting you from liens.

Good answer: "Yes, we provide unconditional lien waivers from all parties before each payment."

35. What happens if you go over budget?

Why it matters: Understand policies for cost overruns:

Fixed-price contracts put the risk on the contractor
Cost-plus contracts put risk on you
Contingency allowances provide buffer for unknowns

36. Do you offer financing?

Why it matters: Some contractors partner with lenders. Compare rates to your own financing options (HELOC, personal loan).

37. What warranty do you provide?

Why it matters: Get specifics in writing:

Workmanship warranty (1-2 years typical)
Material warranties (varies by product)
What's covered and what's excluded
Process for making warranty claims

38. Are there any additional fees I should know about?

Why it matters: Ask about:

Travel time charges
Minimum charges
Overtime rates
Material markups
Administrative fees

39. What happens if the project needs to be redone?

Why it matters: Understand their callback policy and who pays for corrections.

Good answer: "If something doesn't meet specifications or building code, we fix it at no charge."

40. Will final payment be due before or after inspection?

Why it matters: Hold final payment until all inspections pass and you've done a thorough walkthrough.

Communication & Professionalism (Questions 41-50)

These soft factors often determine project success.

41. How often will you update me on progress?

Why it matters: Establish expectations—daily, weekly, or milestone-based updates.

42. What's the best way to reach you?

Why it matters: Know their preferred communication method and expected response times.

Red flag: Contractors who are hard to reach before the project starts will be worse after.

43. What happens if I have concerns during the project?

Why it matters: Understand their complaint resolution process before problems arise.

44. Do you have a written process for handling disputes?

Why it matters: Professional contractors have systems—not ad-hoc responses.

45. Who makes decisions if you're not available?

Why it matters: Know the backup person and their authority level.

46. Will you clean up daily?

Why it matters: Professional contractors leave the job site orderly each day—not a hazardous mess.

47. What is your policy if something is damaged?

Why it matters: Their insurance should cover damage, but know the process:

How to document damage
Timeline for claims
Who to contact

48. Are you working on other projects simultaneously?

Why it matters: Splitting attention between projects often causes delays. Understand their current workload.

49. What makes your company different from competitors?

Why it matters: Their answer reveals priorities and values. Listen for specifics, not vague claims.

50. Is there anything I haven't asked that I should know?

Why it matters: This open-ended question often reveals important information the contractor didn't volunteer.

How to Use This List

Print two copies—one for each meeting
Take notes on each contractor's answers
Compare responses side by side
Trust your instincts—hesitation or evasion are warning signs
Verify independently—check licenses, call references, visit job sites

The Questions That Matter Most

If you're short on time, never skip these:

#1: License number (and verify it)
#3: Proof of insurance
#13: Actual references you call
#22: What's included and excluded
#31: Payment schedule
#34: Lien waivers

A contractor who answers these well and demonstrates professionalism throughout the interview process is likely to deliver a successful project.

Use this checklist for every contractor you interview. The few hours spent asking questions can save thousands in avoided problems.