4 Essential Questions to Ask a Remodeling Contractor
Jan 30, 2025Wondering How to Choose a Contractor? Narrow Your Search with These 4 Questions to Ask Contractors.
Home improvement shows are a great opportunity to meet remodelers, compare services, and gather ideas for your next project. But with so many companies vying for your attention, how do you separate the best from the rest?
Asking the right questions before you hire a contractor is essential. With that in mind, here are four key questions to ask a remodeling contractor as you start planning your next project. Be sure to bring this list with you to home shows and showrooms!
4 Key Question to Ask Contractors During Your Research Phase
Home improvement is as much about trust as it is about quality work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50% of home improvement companies shut down within five years, and only 30% make it to the 10-year mark. If a company has only been in business a short time, they may not have the experience or stability to back up their promises. On the other hand, business longevity has a number of benefits:
- Extensive experience and expertise that translates into better craftsmanship and smoother projects.
- Trust and recognition in the community, built over decades of successful work.
- Longtime employees who know their craft and take pride in their work.
- A reliable company that will be there to honor warranties and provide ongoing service.
A strong warranty is more than just a selling point – it’s peace of mind, and added value for your project. When a remodeling company offers a warranty, they’re making a commitment to stand behind their work. But not all warranties are created equal. Some companies only offer short-term or limited warranties, which may cover specific parts, exclude labor, or expire after a few years. Others might advertise a “lifetime” warranty, only for homeowners to find out it applies only to select parts, not labor.
READ MORE: Understanding Lifetime Warranty Windows
Warranties are another area where business longevity comes into play (see Question #1). A warranty is only as good as the company that backs it. If that company is less than 10 years old, ask yourself if the warranty is worth losing if they go out of business.
When researching a remodeler, it’s important to look beyond what they say about themselves and see what third parties have to say too. One way to do that is by checking their Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and rating.
BBB accreditation means a business has been vetted for honesty, integrity, and fair business practices. It also ensures the company follows ethical advertising practices, is transparent about its services, and responds appropriately to customer concerns.
Even among BBB-accredited businesses, ratings can vary. The BBB assigns letter grades based on customer feedback, responsiveness, and overall business practices. If a remodeler you’re considering has a low BBB rating or isn’t accredited at all, it’s worth asking why.
Price matters when choosing a remodeler, but the way a company presents their pricing is just as important. Some companies provide quotes, while others offer estimates—and the difference could cost you.
- A quote is an accurate, down-to-the-penny price for your project. Barring unexpected circumstances or changes to your scope of work, the price won’t change.
- An estimate is a rough ballpark figure that can fluctuate before or after work begins, and usually happens without notice.
Before you sign a contract, make sure you know whether the price for the work is a quote or just an estimate—your budget will thank you!
Questions to Ask a Remodeling Contractor: Improveit's Answers
While you’re wondering how to choose a contractor, it’s only fair that we share Improveit’s answers to these recommended questions to ask contractors! We welcome any opportunity to discuss these answers with you more in depth, and look forward to sharing our company story.
1. How long have you been in business? Improveit was founded in 1989 and is proud to have 35 years of remodeling experience under our toolbelts! Our founders, Seth Cammeyer and Brian Leader, still work in the business every day and are committed to Improveit’s mission statement: To make continuous and lasting improvements in our customers’ and employees’ lives.
Learn about our company history here and feel free to reach out with any questions about our work in your neighborhood!
READ MORE: Improveit’s Lifetime Warranty
With that in mind, Improveit’s true, transferable lifetime warranty covers parts and labor on all of our projects. That means if anything goes wrong due to material or installation defects, we’ll fix it for as long as your home is standing. For even more added value on your remodeling investment, you can transfer our warranty to a new homeowner if you sell your home! Improveit is still honoring warranties from 35 years ago, and we have no plans to change that approach.
3. Are You BBB Accredited?
Absolutely! Improveit maintains an A+ rating with the BBB in all markets we serve, and has a great relationship with each local BBB chapter. BBB’s message of trust hits close to home for the Improveit team. We’re committed to serving as your trusted advisor for any remodeling project, answering all your questions openly and honestly so you can improve your home with confidence.
READ MORE: Trust Badges & What They Mean for Remodeling
4. Do you share pricing as a quote or an estimate?
At Improveit, we provide detailed, fixed-price quotes during your in-person appointments, so you know exactly what to expect from day one. That means no surprise costs and no bait-and-switch pricing.
We also don’t want to rush your decision. Our quotes are good for a full year so you can reduce the risk of prices going up while you plan your project. Having said that, be sure to ask your design consultant about promotional discounts and available financing. Those offers change regularly and can help you save even more on your home updates.
How to Choose a contractor
Having the right questions to ask a remodeling contractor while you’re researching is a great start, but how do you turn that information into choosing the right contractor? Use these basic steps for how to choose a contractor effectively:
- Do Your Online Research. Start by searching for local remodelers who offer the services you want to learn about. Use this phase to determine your budget, look at remodelers’ past projects, and read online reviews.
- Meet Remodelers at Home Shows and Events. Attend local home shows and events to meet them in person. Ask the four key questions outlined in this article to find companies that meet your standards.
- Schedule In-Home Consultations. For the remodelers you like most, set up an in-home consultation to get more detailed questions answered, learn about the company’s remodeling process, establish rapport, and get initial quotes.
- Compare Quotes, Warranties, and Added Value. When comparing contractors, it’s easy to focus on price, but make sure you look at the complete package. Include warranties and other added value, as well as the companies’ reputations and your own personal preferences and impressions in your decision.
Ask the Right CoNtractor Questions, Find the Right Remodeler
Home improvement can be a big investment, so go into the process knowing how to choose a contractor that will give you a 5-star experience.
As your trusted advisor, the Improveit team is happy to provide guidance and would love the opportunity to answer more of your questions about the remodeling process. Our goal is always to help you improve your home with confidence, even if you choose to work with a different remodel.
If you’re visiting a home show soon, stop by the Improveit display and say hello! Or, use this form to schedule a personalized appointment to start the ball rolling on your next project.
