12 Questions to Ask a Contractor Before You Sign Anything

A garage conversion touches structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work, often through several different subcontractors. The general contractor's job is to manage all of that — which means the questions that matter most are less about their taste and more about how they run a job.

Licensing and insurance

1. Are you licensed for this type of work in this state, and can I see the license number? Verify it independently with your state licensing board rather than taking their word for it.
2. What insurance do you carry, and can I get a certificate naming me? You want both general liability and workers' compensation confirmed — without workers' comp, an injury on your property can become your liability.

The permit and the bid

3. Who pulls the permits — you or me? A contractor who avoids pulling permits, or suggests skipping them, is a red flag on a project this size.
4. Can I get a detailed written bid, not a verbal estimate? A real bid breaks down labor and materials by category (electrical, plumbing, framing, finishes) rather than giving one lump number.
5. What's included versus what's an allowance? Fixtures, flooring, and cabinetry are often budgeted as an "allowance" — a placeholder number you can exceed. Know which line items are fixed and which are estimates.

Money and timeline

6. What's the payment schedule? Payments should be tied to completed phases, not front-loaded. Many states cap the legal deposit amount — worth checking your state's rule before agreeing to a large upfront payment.
7. What's the realistic timeline, including permitting? Ask specifically whether the estimate includes permit review time, which is often the least predictable part of the schedule.
8. How do change orders work? Get the process for approving and pricing changes in writing before you need it — not after a mid-project surprise.

Track record

9. Have you done garage conversions specifically, not just general remodels? The mix of structural, egress, and utility work is different enough from a kitchen remodel that direct experience matters.
10. Can I see two or three references from projects like this one? Ask each reference directly whether the project finished on budget and on schedule — not just whether they liked the finished result.

What happens when something goes wrong

11. What happens if you find a structural or utility surprise once the walls are open? A good contractor has a clear process for pricing and approving unexpected work, rather than just adding to the bill.
12. What's the warranty on the work, and who do I call if something fails after you're done? Get this in writing, including what's covered and for how long.