7 questions to ask before you hire any contractor

Most bad renovation stories do not start with bad work. They start with a conversation that never happened.

A contractor who is licensed, insured and organised will answer all seven of these without blinking, because they get asked constantly and they have the paperwork sitting in a folder. The ones who get cagey are telling you something important. Ask anyway, even if you like them, and especially if the quote came in low.

1. 1

   What is your licence number?

   Ask for the number itself, not a yes or no. Then look it up. Most provinces publish a free public registry, and it takes about a minute to confirm the licence is current and registered to the business you are actually hiring.

   Be aware that licensing varies by trade and province. Electrical and gas work is tightly regulated almost everywhere. General renovation work is not always licensed the same way, so ask what applies to your specific job rather than assuming.

   Good answerThey give you the number without hesitating and tell you which body issued it.

   Walk away ifThey say the licence is 'in the company's name' but cannot produce the number.
2. 2

   Can I see your certificate of insurance?

   You are looking for general liability coverage, and you want to see the actual certificate rather than take their word for it. Check three things: that it is current, that the coverage amount is sensible for the size of your job, and that the name on the certificate matches the business name on your quote.

   That last one catches more problems than people expect. A certificate in a personal name, or in the name of a company that is not the one invoicing you, may not cover the work being done on your property.

   Good answerThey email the certificate the same day, because their broker keeps it on file.

   Walk away ifThe name on the certificate does not match the name on the quote.
3. 3

   Do you have workers' compensation clearance?

   This is the question almost nobody asks, and it is the one that can cost you the most. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not carry workers' compensation coverage, the liability can end up landing on you as the homeowner.

   Ask for a clearance certificate from the provincial board, WSIB in Ontario or CNESST in Quebec. These are issued by the board itself, not by the contractor, so they cannot be fudged.

   Good answerThey know exactly what you are asking for and send the clearance certificate.

   Walk away ifThey tell you it is not needed because the crew are 'all subcontractors'.
4. 4

   Who is pulling the permit?

   For structural work, electrical, plumbing, and most additions, a permit is not optional. The contractor should be pulling it, and it should be in their name, not yours. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself, understand what that means: you become the one responsible for the work meeting code.

   Also ask when it gets closed. An open permit can surface years later when you try to sell, and an unpermitted renovation can complicate an insurance claim.

   Good answerThey pull it in their name and tell you roughly when the final inspection happens.

   Walk away ifThey suggest skipping the permit to save time or money.
5. 5

   Can I see two recent jobs like mine, and speak to those clients?

   Photos of anything are easy. Ask specifically for jobs comparable to yours, in scope and in age. A roofer who has done four hundred roofs but two skylights is not the person for your skylight.

   Then actually call the references. Ask them one question that gets past the polite answer: did anything go wrong, and how did the contractor handle it? Every real project has a problem. How it was handled is the thing worth knowing.

   Good answerThey offer references before you finish asking.

   Walk away ifEvery reference is a friend, a relative, or unreachable.
6. 6

   What is the payment schedule?

   Payments should be tied to progress, not to the calendar, and never fully up front. A modest deposit to secure materials and a start date is normal. Handing over most of the money before work begins is not.

   Get the schedule in the written contract with the milestones spelled out, and hold back a final payment until the work is finished and inspected. That last payment is the only leverage you have.

   Good answerA written schedule tied to milestones, with a holdback at the end.

   Walk away ifCash only, a large up-front deposit, or pressure to pay before anything starts.
7. 7

   What happens if something goes wrong afterwards?

   Ask what the warranty covers, how long it lasts, and what is specifically excluded. Then ask for it in writing. A verbal warranty from a company that dissolves next spring is worth nothing.

   While you are at it, ask how long the business has been operating under its current name. A company that has been trading for years under one name has something to protect. One that has changed names three times may not.

   Good answerA written warranty with a clear term and clear exclusions.

   Walk away if'Do not worry, we always look after our customers.' Get it in writing.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Licensing, permit and workers' compensation rules vary by province and by trade. Always confirm what applies to your job and your area.