You're about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a renovation. You'll be living with the results for years. The person you hire will have access to your home, make decisions that affect your daily life, and determine whether this project brings joy or regret.
Yet most homeowners spend more time researching a new TV than vetting their contractor.
Here are the questions that actually matter—and what the answers reveal.
The Essentials
1. "What is your Colorado contractor license number?"
This should be easy to answer. The license number should be printed on their business card, website, and contract. If there's any hesitation, that's concerning.
What to do: Verify the license at DORA (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies). Check that it's active and there are no disciplinary actions.
Red flag: "I don't need a license for this type of work" (often false) or "My license is being renewed" (verify this).
2. "Can I see your insurance certificate?"
You want general liability insurance (at least $500,000, preferably $1-2 million) and workers' compensation if they have employees.
What to do: Ask for a certificate naming you as additionally insured. This is standard practice.
Red flag: "We're covered, don't worry about it" without documentation.
3. "Who will actually be doing the work?"
The charming salesperson who shows up for the estimate may never appear again. You need to know who's in your house.
Good answer: "I'll be on site regularly. Our lead carpenter is [name] who has been with us [X] years. Here's who you can expect to see."
Red flag: Vague answers about subcontractors they've never worked with before.
The Project-Specific Questions
4. "Have you done projects like mine before? Can I see examples?"
Experience with similar projects matters. A great bathroom contractor might be mediocre at additions. Specialization is real.
What to ask for: Photos of similar completed projects. Names and numbers of clients with similar work. Ideally, an address you can drive by.
Red flag: "We do everything" with no specific examples of your project type.
5. "What's your process from start to finish?"
A professional should be able to walk you through their process clearly: design phase, permits, scheduling, materials ordering, construction phases, inspections, punch list, final walkthrough.
Good answer: Clear, organized explanation that shows they've done this many times.
Red flag: "We'll figure it out as we go" or inability to articulate a clear process.
6. "How do you handle permits and inspections?"
For any project requiring permits, your contractor should handle the entire process.
Good answer: "We pull all permits, schedule all inspections, and ensure everything passes before proceeding."
Red flag: Suggesting you skip permits, or asking you to pull permits yourself.
The Money Questions
7. "What exactly is included in this price?"
Get a detailed scope of work in writing. "Kitchen remodel" is not a scope. A list of every cabinet, countertop specification, appliance allowance, electrical work, plumbing work—that's a scope.
What to look for: Line-item breakdown. Material specifications. Clear distinction between what's included and what's not.
Red flag: Vague descriptions that leave room for interpretation (and disputes later).
8. "What's your payment schedule?"
Industry standard is roughly: 10-30% at signing, progress payments at milestones, final payment (10-20%) upon completion.
Good answer: A clear schedule tied to project milestones, with final payment held until you're satisfied.
Red flag: Wanting 50%+ upfront, or full payment before completion.
9. "How do you handle change orders?"
Changes happen. The question is how they're handled.
Good answer: "Any change is documented in writing with the cost impact before we proceed. You approve all change orders."
Red flag: "We'll work it out" or resistance to putting changes in writing.
10. "What happens if we go over budget?"
Unexpected issues arise. How they're handled says a lot.
Good answer: "If we find something unexpected, we stop, show you, discuss options, and agree on a path forward before proceeding."
Red flag: "That won't happen" (it always can) or unclear processes.
The Timeline Questions
11. "When can you start, and how long will it take?"
Get specific dates, not vague ranges. Good contractors know their schedules.
Good answer: "We can start [specific date]. Barring unforeseen issues, we expect completion around [specific date]."
Red flag: "We can start next week" (why are they so available?) or inability to commit to any timeline.
12. "What could delay this project?"
This tests their experience and honesty. Experienced contractors know what causes delays.
Good answer: "Material lead times are currently [X] weeks. Permit processing takes [Y] weeks. If we find [hidden conditions], that could add time. Here's how we mitigate these risks."
Red flag: "Nothing will delay us" (naive or dishonest).
The Communication Questions
13. "How will we communicate during the project?"
Clear communication prevents most problems.
Good answer: "You'll have my cell and email. We do weekly walkthroughs. I respond to questions within 24 hours. Here's who to contact for what."
Red flag: Vague answers or seeming annoyed by the question.
14. "What happens if something goes wrong?"
Things go wrong. What matters is the response.
Good answer: "We stand behind our work. Here's our warranty policy. Here's how we handle issues. Here's an example of a problem we solved for a client."
Red flag: Defensiveness or inability to acknowledge that problems ever occur.
The Character Question
15. "Can I speak with three recent clients?"
References matter. But how you use them matters more.
What to ask references:
- Did the project finish on time and on budget?
- Were there surprises? How were they handled?
- How was communication throughout?
- Would you hire them again?
- Is there anything you wish you'd known beforehand?
Red flag: Inability to provide references, or references who seem scripted.
The Meta-Question: How Do They Handle Questions?
Beyond the specific answers, notice HOW questions are handled:
- Are they patient and thorough, or rushed and dismissive?
- Do they welcome questions or seem annoyed?
- Are answers clear or evasive?
- Do they admit what they don't know, or pretend to know everything?
How someone handles your questions before they have your money is the best indicator of how they'll handle your concerns after they have it.
A Note on "Interview" Dynamics
Some homeowners feel awkward asking tough questions, like they're being demanding or suspicious.
Here's the reality: You're hiring someone for a significant job. These questions are basic due diligence. Any professional expects them. Any contractor who's put off by professional questions is telling you something important about how they'll handle your project.
Ready to Start Asking?
If you're vetting contractors for a Denver project, we welcome all these questions and more. We're happy to provide license information, insurance certificates, references, detailed proposals, and clear answers to anything you want to know.
Call (720) 605-7785 or schedule a consultation. Ask us anything.
