Contractor Interview Questions
A low bid wins the job on paper. What it doesn't tell you is whether the contractor will still be accountable six months into your build. These twelve questions separate contractors who know what they're doing from ones who sound like they do — and what each answer should (and shouldn't) tell you.
1. Are you the licensed GC, or are you using a licensed qualifier?
Some companies use a licensed general contractor's name and credentials to pull permits, but that person has no involvement in the actual project. The person running your job may have no license at all. You want the GC who is licensed — the person whose name is on the permit — to be the person you're talking to and who will be accountable to you throughout the project. If they can't clearly answer this question, walk away.
2. Can I have a copy of your license and certificate of insurance right now?
A legitimate contractor hands these over without hesitation. Verify the license yourself at myfloridalicense.com — search by license number or name. Check that it's active, that the license type covers your project (a CGC covers everything; a CBC covers residential only), and that there are no disciplinary actions on record. The certificate of insurance should show general liability and workers' compensation. Don't accept a verbal assurance — get the actual documents.
3. Who will be on-site every day running the project?
The person you interview may be the owner or estimator — not the one who will actually be managing your job. Find out who the superintendent is. That person should have a name, a title, and direct contact information in your contract. If the answer is 'I'll be there' but they're also running three other jobs simultaneously, probe further. Absentee project management is the single most common reason builds go off the rails.
4. Who are your subcontractors for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC?
A GC who can name their key subs immediately is a GC who has established working relationships. A GC who hesitates or says they'll 'find someone' is telling you they don't have reliable trade partners lined up. Ask for the names of the licensed plumber, electrician, and HVAC contractor. You can verify their licenses at myfloridalicense.com as well. Subcontractors who work regularly with the same GC coordinate better, cause fewer delays, and are less likely to walk off a job mid-project.
5. Will you pull all the permits, or will the subs pull their own?
This matters for accountability. When each subcontractor pulls their own trade permit, you have multiple parties involved in the permit process, and your GC has less direct control over the inspection schedule. Ideally, your GC pulls the master building permit and coordinates all trade permits under it. Ask specifically about who files the mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical permit applications. If the GC is unclear on this, it's a signal they're not closely managing the permitting process.
6. How do you handle change orders?
The right answer: every change to the approved scope is documented in writing before work begins on it, and you see the cost and timeline impact before you approve it. Nothing gets added to your project without your signature. If a contractor says 'we'll settle it up at the end' or 'small things we just handle' — those small things add up to large disputes at the end of a job. Get the change order process in writing in your contract and make sure both parties sign each change order before work proceeds.
7. Can you provide three references from similar projects completed in the last two years?
Not 'satisfied customers' — references from projects similar in scope and size to yours, completed recently enough to be relevant. Call every one of them. Ask: Did the project come in near the original budget? Did it come in near the original timeline? Was the GC responsive when problems came up? Would you hire them again? A contractor with strong references will give them to you readily. If there's hesitation, that's the answer.
8. What's your standard payment schedule?
Payments should be tied to construction milestones, not calendar dates. A typical draw schedule looks like: deposit at contract signing, draw at foundation completion, draw at framing completion, draw at rough-in inspections passed, draw at drywall completion, draw at substantial completion, and final payment at certificate of occupancy. Never pay ahead of where the project is. If a contractor asks for a large upfront payment before any work starts, that's a red flag. Legitimate contractors have the financial footing to carry the job between draws.
9. What happens if the project comes in over the original budget?
Listen carefully here. If they say 'it won't' without explaining why, that's not an answer. The right answer acknowledges that changes happen, explains how scope changes are handled (change orders), and distinguishes between price increases caused by owner-directed changes versus unforeseen conditions. A fixed-price contract is the cleanest protection — if the scope doesn't change, the price doesn't change. If they're offering a cost-plus contract, make sure there's a guaranteed maximum price built in.
10. How do you communicate progress during the build?
Weekly written updates are the minimum. You should know what happened that week, what's scheduled for next week, and whether there are any pending decisions you need to make. Anything less than weekly reporting is a sign that you'll be chasing information. Also ask: how quickly do they respond to texts or calls? A contractor who takes days to respond during the sales process will take longer during the build. Test their responsiveness before you sign.
11. Do you carry workers' compensation insurance on everyone who sets foot on-site?
In Florida, general contractors are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. But some try to work around this by misclassifying workers as independent contractors. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't have proper workers' comp coverage, the liability can land on you as the property owner. Ask specifically for a workers' compensation certificate of insurance that names your project. If they have legitimate coverage, this is a five-second request.
12. What does your termination clause look like if the relationship doesn't work?
Nobody wants to think about this before a project starts, but it's one of the most important provisions in your contract. You need the right to terminate for cause — meaning if the contractor stops working, falls significantly behind schedule, or performs work that doesn't meet code — with a clear process for how it works and what you owe at that point. A contractor who refuses to include a termination clause is a contractor who knows they may need the leverage of your inability to leave. That's not someone you want managing your home.
What to Do With the Answers
Don't just listen to what they say — watch how they answer. A contractor who has done this right knows these answers without thinking. One who gets defensive, vague, or starts talking around the question is showing you something important. The interview is as much about confidence and transparency as it is about the specific information. Hire the contractor who makes you feel informed and in control of the process — because for the next 12–18 months, you need to trust that person completely.
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