Home repairs can be expensive, which makes a clear paper trail especially valuable. This checklist helps you compare contractors and understand an estimate before you agree to work.
Start with verification, not a sales pitch
Ask your state or county licensing office whether a contractor’s license is current, and ask for proof of insurance. Recommendations from people you trust can be a helpful starting point, but still search the business name with terms such as “review,” “complaint,” and “scam.” Check consumer-protection offices and local trade associations for complaint information.
Compare like with like
Get multiple written estimates for the same requested job. A lower number is not automatically a better value if it leaves out materials, permits, cleanup, or a completion date. Put the scope in writing: what will be repaired or installed, which materials are included, who obtains permits, what happens to old materials, and when the work is expected to start and finish.
Quick comparison worksheet: for each estimate, write down the total price, materials, labor, permit responsibility, start date, completion date, payment schedule, warranty terms, and the specific exclusions. If one estimate differs sharply, ask the contractor to explain the difference before signing.
Read the contract before any work begins
The written agreement should identify the contractor and license number, the job scope, costs for labor and materials, and estimated start and completion dates. Make sure verbal promises are added to the document, fill in blank spaces, and keep a signed copy. Contract and cancellation rules can vary by location; a state or local consumer office can explain the rules that apply where you live.
Protect the payment decision
A request for the full project cost upfront is a reason to pause. Down-payment limits vary by state, so check locally before paying. Be cautious if someone pressures you to sign immediately, demands cash or a wire transfer, or steers you to financing you do not understand. Never sign a document you have not read or transfer a deed without independent advice.
If a problem develops
Keep estimates, the contract, photos, invoices, and notes from calls. Try to resolve the issue directly, then follow up important conversations in writing. If that does not work, your state attorney general, local consumer-protection office, or a dispute-resolution program may be able to help.
Source basis: Federal Trade Commission consumer guidance on avoiding home-improvement scams. This is general educational information, not legal or contracting advice.