Why this matters
You're about to spend $30K-$500K and invite someone into your home for 1-6 months. The contractor you pick is the single biggest determinant of whether your remodel is a great experience or a disaster. These 12 questions help you tell the difference. Bring this list to every quote.
1. Are you licensed and insured? Can I see proof?
Any legitimate contractor will produce both within 24 hours. License lookup: Kentucky https://kybop.ky.gov/IndustryLicReg/LicenseeSearch.aspx. Insurance: ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) showing general liability + workers' comp, with you as additional insured for the project duration. If they're vague about this, walk away.
2. Who will be on my project day-to-day?
Some firms send a salesperson to the quote, then a different person to run the project, then a different crew to do the work. You want to know who your point of contact is and whether that person will actually be on-site. At Wilson Way, the person who walks your house is the person who runs your project.
3. How do you structure payments?
Beware of "50% upfront" or any quote asking for more than 30% before work starts. A healthy draw schedule ties payments to work-in-progress: small initial deposit, milestone draws tied to completed phases, final retainer released after punch-list. We use this structure on every job.
4. What's your typical timeline for a project like mine?
Be skeptical of any quote that's significantly faster than competitors. "We can do your kitchen in 3 weeks" usually means they're either skipping steps, planning to subschedule themselves into failure, or lowballing to win the job. Real timelines for a full kitchen in Louisville are 6-10 weeks. Real timelines for additions are 4-6 months.
5. Who pulls the permits?
The contractor, every time. If they tell you the homeowner needs to pull permits, that's a red flag — it means they're not licensed in your jurisdiction or they're trying to avoid accountability.
6. Can I see examples of similar projects?
Not just photos — references you can call. Talk to at least 2-3 past clients with similar projects. Ask about what went wrong and how the contractor handled it. Every project has surprises; what matters is how the contractor responds.
7. What's your warranty?
Industry standard is 1 year on workmanship. Some offer longer on structural. Get the warranty in writing. Ask what's NOT covered (manufacturer warranties cover materials separately).
8. What happens if we find something unexpected mid-project?
Remodels always reveal surprises. A good contractor has a process: stop work, document the issue, present you with options and costs, get your approval before continuing. Beware anyone who says "we'll just handle it" — that's how surprise invoices happen.
9. Are your subs your employees or independent?
Both can work, but you want to know. If subs are independent, ask how long the contractor has worked with each one. We've worked with our plumbing, electrical, and HVAC subs for years — they're an extension of our crew.
10. What's not included in this quote?
Every quote has scope boundaries. Get them in writing. Common gotchas: appliance costs, permit fees, dumpster/porta-potty, post-construction cleaning, paint touch-ups after other trades finish, landscaping repair.
11. How do you handle change orders?
Get the process: written estimate before work starts, your signature before any work proceeds, itemized invoicing. Anyone who says "we'll figure it out" is a flag.
12. What's the most likely thing to go wrong on my project?
This question separates veterans from everyone else. A real pro will tell you — "your 1950s plumbing might need updating" or "we might find knob-and-tube wiring in the walls" or "the foundation might surprise us." Honest contractors plan for surprises; dishonest ones pretend they don't exist.
Bonus: Use this checklist on every quote
Get 3 quotes minimum. Compare not just price but the answers to these 12 questions. The cheapest quote is rarely the best — it usually means corners are being cut. The most expensive quote is rarely the best either — it usually means you're paying for overhead, not quality. Look for the middle quote from a contractor who answered every question directly and without defensiveness.