What should I ask a contractor before hiring?

15 Questions to Ask A General Contractor Before Hiring

Are you licensed for this type of work?
Which types of insurance do you carry?
How many building permits have you obtained in my area over the last two years?
Can you provide a list of references?
What is an expected timeline for this project?

What should you not ask a contractor?

Seven Things to Never Say to a Contractor

Never Tell a Contractor They are the Only One Bidding on the Job.
Don’t Tell a Contractor Your Budget.
Never Ask a Contractor for a Discount if You Pay Upfront.
Don’t Tell a Contractor That You Aren’t in A Hurry.
Do Not Let a Contractor Choose the Materials.

What questions should I ask a contractor reference?

The following questions are a good place to start.

What kind of work did the contractor do for you?
Did you have a clear idea of what the contractor was going to do?
Did they show up on time?
Did you check the contractor’s credentials?
What was working with the contractor’s crew or subcontractors like?

How much can a contractor ask for up front in VA?

A good rule of thumb is an initial deposit of no more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. Unless the job requires custom-made items or special orders, in which case an initial down payment should be no more than 30% of the total value of the contract.

How many contractors should I interview?

If you aren’t careful about who you hire, it could cost you everything. Here are several tips to keep in mind for your initial search. Get multiple estimates. You want to make sure you initially get estimates from more than one contractor, preferably around three.

Is it normal to ask a contractor for references?

It’s a good idea to ask contractors for a reference from a project that hit an unexpected snag. Everyone has those sorts of jobs — what you care about is how well the contractor handled the situation when it occurred.

Do contractors need references?

You should be aware, however, that neither employees nor contractors have any legal right to a reference under the terms of employment law. When you work for a company, they are simply obliged to confirm that you did so.

Do you need to know when contractor expects to be done?

You’re going to plan your whole schedule around the project schedule. You may need to take some days off from work. You may need to stay home during the weekends. This is why you need to know when the contractor expects for the job to be finished.

Are there any Virginia Supreme Court independent contractor cases?

This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Independent Contractors and the related topic of personal injury. For more information about independent contractors see the pages on Wikipedia.

What should I Ask my general contractor before hiring?

Your contractor should be able to give you an idea of a potential work schedule over a few different phases of the project, such as working hours and general timelines. During this conversation, you should also ask how the crew will ensure a safe, secure, and clean working environment. 13. Will you obtain all of the required building permits?

What should be considered in evaluating an independent contractor?

The factors to be considered in evaluating whether person is independent contractor are: (1) selection and engagement, (2) payment of compensation, (3) power of dismissal, and (4) power to control work.

What is the board for contractors in Virginia?

Board for Contractors The Board for Contractors licenses businesses engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others.

How to get a contractor license in Virginia?

All class participants must be a member of the Responsible Management team listed on the contractor license. You must bring a photo ID with you to registration. Credit will not be given unless you attend the entire length of the full-day class. NOTE: All classes are 8:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with a 45-minute lunch break.

How to contact dpor board for contractors Virginia?

Renewals cannot be processed over the phone. If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, you must contact Board staff at (804) 367-8511 or [email protected] for further guidance. DPOR Boards only accept the most current versions of the applications and forms as provided above.

What do you need to know about hiring a contractor?

Licensed contractors are required by law to provide a written contract for residential work, signed by both parties. Don’t rely on verbal agreements. Get all guarantees, warranties, and promises in writing. Limit your down payment or deposit.