5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
Hiring a contractor is one of the largest financial decisions most homeowners will make — often second only to buying the house itself. Yet most people spend more time researching a new dishwasher than vetting the company that will tear apart and rebuild their kitchen.
These five questions will not guarantee a perfect project, but they will quickly separate the contractors who deserve your trust from the ones who do not.
1. Can I see a full cost breakdown?
This is the single most revealing question you can ask. A contractor who provides a detailed, line-by-line budget — materials, labour, permits, overhead, and profit — is telling you they have nothing to hide. A contractor who gives you a single lump-sum number is asking you to trust them without evidence.
The breakdown does not need to be complicated. You should be able to see what materials are being specified, how many labour hours are budgeted for each trade, what the permit costs are, and what the contractor is earning as profit. If they will not show you, ask yourself why.
2. What happens when something changes mid-project?
Renovations rarely go exactly to plan. You might discover knob-and-tube wiring behind the walls. You might decide you want a larger window than originally specified. What matters is how these changes are handled financially.
Ask how change orders are priced. Are they billed at the same rates as the original contract? Is there an additional markup for changes? A fair approach is to price change orders at cost — the actual materials and labour required, with no additional markup. This removes any incentive for the contractor to push unnecessary changes.
3. Are you licensed and insured in Ontario?
In Ontario, general contractors should carry commercial general liability insurance (minimum $2 million is standard) and WSIB coverage for their workers. Ask to see current certificates — not expired ones, not promises to get them. Current, valid documentation.
If a contractor is not properly insured and a worker is injured on your property, you could be held liable. If they do not have WSIB and a worker files a claim, the costs could fall to you as the property owner. This is not a formality — it is essential protection.
4. Can I speak with a recent client?
Online reviews are helpful but easy to curate. A direct conversation with someone who recently had work done tells you things a five-star review cannot: Was the crew respectful of the home? Did they communicate proactively when issues came up? Was the final invoice close to the original estimate? Did they clean up properly at the end of each day?
A confident contractor will connect you with references without hesitation. If they are reluctant, treat it as a signal.
5. What is your timeline, and what could delay it?
Every homeowner wants to know when the project will be finished. A good contractor will give you a realistic timeline — not an optimistic one designed to win the job.
More importantly, ask what could cause delays. Permit processing times vary by municipality. Supply chain disruptions can push material deliveries back by weeks. Weather affects exterior work and concrete pours. A contractor who acknowledges these realities upfront is being honest with you. One who promises a hard deadline with no caveats may be telling you what you want to hear.
The right contractor welcomes these questions
Asking tough questions is not rude — it is responsible. A contractor who has earned the trust of their clients will welcome the opportunity to demonstrate it. They will open their books, share their references, show their insurance, and explain their process with confidence.
The conversation itself tells you a great deal. Pay attention not just to the answers, but to how they are delivered. Transparency is not a policy you post on a website — it is a way of doing business that shows up in every interaction.
