Hiring a contractor is the biggest decision of any renovation — bigger than the tile, the layout, or the budget. Ask these five questions before you sign anything, and pay attention to how they're answered, not just what's said.
1. Are you licensed and insured — and can I see proof?
Every legitimate New Jersey contractor carries an HIC registration, general liability, and workers' comp. The right answer isn't "yes" — it's "here you go," before you finish the sentence. If someone gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't covered, you are.
2. Who actually does the work?
Some companies sell the job and subcontract everything. That's not automatically bad, but you deserve to know whose trucks will be in your driveway. Ask whether the crew that starts your project is the crew that finishes it, and who your single point of contact is when you have a question on day nine.
3. What does the quote actually include?
A low number means nothing if it's hiding allowances and exclusions. A real quote breaks out materials and labor, names the products going into your home, and says in writing what happens if something unexpected turns up behind the drywall.
4. What does the schedule look like — realistically?
"About two weeks" is not a schedule. You want a day-by-day plan: when demo starts, when inspections happen, when the job is done — and what happens if it slips. Contractors who give you a real timeline are the ones who've actually planned your job.
5. Can I talk to your last three clients?
Not the highlight reel — the last three. Any contractor who's been doing right by people won't hesitate. When you call, ask one question: "Would you hire them again tomorrow?"
Ready to hear our answers to all five? We're a licensed and insured contractor based in Bridgewater, and we've been giving Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, and Union counties straight answers for over a decade. Get a free quote — we usually respond the same day.