Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Hiring the wrong remodeling contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a Montgomery County homeowner can make. Contractors who disappear mid-project, work that fails inspection, deposits paid to companies that go out of business — these are real outcomes that real Maryland homeowners have faced. The good news: knowing the right questions to ask a contractor before hiring prevents almost all of it.

These 10 questions to ask a contractor before hiring, asked before you sign anything, will tell you everything you need to know about whether a contractor is licensed, organized, and right for your project. We answer all of them ourselves — openly and in writing — for every homeowner we work with.

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring: The Complete List

1. Are You MHIC Licensed in Maryland?

This is the most important of all questions to ask a contractor in Maryland — and the answer must be yes. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license is required by state law for any contractor performing home improvement work. It means they’ve passed a background check, demonstrated knowledge of Maryland home improvement law, and maintain proper insurance.

How to verify: Go to mhic.maryland.gov and search by license number or company name. Takes 30 seconds. If the license doesn’t appear — or if they claim they don’t need one — walk away immediately.

Why it matters: Unlicensed contractors cannot legally pull permits in Maryland. Unpermitted work creates serious problems when you sell, can void your homeowner’s insurance, and leaves you with no legal recourse if the work fails.

Think2Remodel MHIC License: #159517. Verify it yourself at mhic.maryland.gov.

The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) maintains a public license lookup where you can verify any contractor in seconds.

2. Do You Carry Liability Insurance and Workers’ Compensation?

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) — not just a verbal yes. Two types matter:

• Liability insurance: Covers damage to your home if something goes wrong during the project. Without it, you file on your own homeowner’s policy.
• Workers’ compensation: Covers injuries to workers on your property. Without it, you could be liable if a worker is hurt in your home. Maryland law requires workers’ comp for most employers.

Request a COI naming you as an additional insured for the duration of the project. A legitimate contractor provides this without hesitation.

3. Who Will Be Doing the Work — Your Crew or Subcontractors?

This is one of the most overlooked questions to ask a remodeling contractor — and one of the most revealing. Some contractors use their own full-time employees. Others subcontract every trade to third parties. Neither is automatically bad, but you need to know which you’re getting.

If they subcontract: Ask how long they’ve worked with their subs, whether the subs are licensed and insured, and whether the contractor supervises daily. A contractor who manages subcontractors well can still deliver excellent results. A contractor who uses whoever is cheapest and available this week is a red flag.

Think2Remodel uses our own trained crews for the majority of work. We do not piece together a different team for each project.

4. Can You Provide References From Recent, Similar Projects?

One of the most important questions to ask a contractor before hiring is whether they can provide references. Ask for 2–3 from completed projects similar to yours in scope and area — preferably within the last 12 months. Then actually call them. Ask:

• Did the project come in on time?
• Did it come in on budget, or were there significant unexpected charges?
• How was communication throughout?
• Were there problems, and if so, how were they handled?
• Would you hire them again?

A contractor who hesitates to provide references, or can only offer references from several years ago, is a yellow flag.

5. Will You Pull All Required Permits, and Is That Included in Your Quote?

In Montgomery County, most remodeling work requires permits from the Department of Permitting Services. This includes kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels involving plumbing or electrical, basement finishing, and any structural changes. A legitimate contractor handles all permit applications as part of the job — this should be clearly stated in your written contract.

Red flags: Any contractor who suggests skipping permits “to save time” or “avoid hassle” is putting you at serious legal and financial risk. Unpermitted work must be disclosed when you sell. Montgomery County can require demolition and redo at your expense if discovered.

Also clarify: are permit fees included in the quote, or billed separately?

Learn more: Home Remodeling Permits in Montgomery County, MD

6. What Is Your Payment Schedule?

Maryland law limits contractor upfront deposits. MHIC-licensed contractors cannot legally require more than one-third of the total contract price before work begins. A reasonable payment schedule:

• 25–33% at contract signing
• Milestone payments as work progresses (cabinet delivery, countertop installation, etc.)
• 10–15% final payment held until completion and walk-through sign-off

Red flags to walk away from: Requiring 50%+ upfront before any work starts. Asking for cash only. Asking for payment in full before completion. Requesting payment to an individual instead of a company.

7. How Do You Handle Change Orders?

Change orders happen on nearly every remodeling project — material upgrades, scope additions, unexpected discoveries during demo. How a contractor handles change orders tells you exactly how they’ll behave when things get complicated.

Require every change order in writing before the work is done — new scope, new price, both parties’ signatures. A contractor who resists putting changes in writing is one to be cautious about. Also ask upfront: what’s your process if something unexpected is found during demo (old plumbing, mold, aluminum wiring)? A good contractor explains this clearly before you sign.

8. What Does Your Project Timeline Look Like?

Another critical question to ask a contractor before hiring: what does the timeline look like? Get a projected start date and projected completion date in writing. Understand that timelines can shift — but you deserve a realistic estimate upfront, not a best-case-scenario number used to close the sale. Also ask:

• How do you communicate during the project?
• Will I receive weekly updates?
• Who is my point of contact for questions?
• What is your typical response time?

The best contractors are proactive communicators — you hear from them before you have to wonder what’s happening.

For realistic Maryland remodel timelines, read: How Long Does a Remodel Take?

9. What Warranty Do You Offer on Your Work?

Maryland requires contractors to provide a warranty on home improvement work. Ask specifically:

• How long is the workmanship warranty?
• What does it cover?
• What’s the claims process if something fails after completion?

A standard workmanship warranty in Maryland is one year. Quality contractors often offer longer warranties on specific work types. Get all warranty terms in writing in the contract — not just verbally. Manufacturer warranties on materials (tile, cabinets, countertops, appliances) are separate from the contractor’s workmanship warranty.

10. Can I See the Written Contract Before I Commit?

MHIC-licensed contractors in Maryland are required by law to provide a written contract before any work begins. That contract must include:

• Full name, address, and MHIC license number of the contractor
• Detailed description of all work to be performed
• Materials specified by brand, model, or grade — not vague terms like “quartz countertop”
• Total price and full payment schedule
• Projected start and completion dates
• Warranty terms
• Your 3-day right to cancel (for contracts over $25)

If a contractor is vague about the contract or tries to start work on a handshake agreement, that is a serious red flag. Never allow work to begin without a signed, detailed written contract. This is the final and most important of all questions to ask a contractor before hiring — and the answer must always be in writing.

Think2Remodel Answers Every One of These Questions — In Writing, Before You Sign

We’re a licensed Maryland contractor (MHIC #159517) and we welcome every question on this list. Free in-home estimates with a detailed written quote within one week.

📞 (240) 258-8885 | Get Your Free Estimate Today →

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring: Quick Reference Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions: Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring

What are the most important questions to ask a contractor before hiring?

The three most critical questions to ask a contractor before hiring in Maryland are: (1) Are you MHIC licensed? — verify at mhic.maryland.gov; (2) Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ comp? — request the Certificate of Insurance; (3) Will you pull all required permits? — confirm this is included in the written contract.

How do I verify a contractor’s license in Maryland?

Go to mhic.maryland.gov and search by the contractor’s name or MHIC license number. Confirm the license is active, the company name matches, and the license type covers home improvement work. This takes under one minute and should be done before any contractor enters your home for an estimate.

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring About the Written Contract

A Maryland home improvement contract must include: the contractor’s full name, address, and MHIC license number; a detailed scope of work with materials specified by brand/model; total price and payment schedule; projected start and completion dates; warranty terms; and your 3-business-day right to cancel. Never sign a vague contract.

Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring About Deposits and Payment

Maryland law limits contractor deposits to no more than one-third of the total contract price before work begins for MHIC-licensed contractors. If a contractor asks for more than 33% upfront before any work starts, that is a violation of Maryland home improvement law — and a serious red flag.

What questions should I ask a general contractor about a kitchen remodel?

For a kitchen remodel specifically, ask: Are all cabinets specified by brand and grade in the contract? Who templates and installs the countertops — you or a sub? How do you handle the permit process for kitchen electrical and plumbing? What is the lead time on cabinets and how does that affect the start date? What warranty do you offer on cabinet installation and tile work?