Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Signing the Contract
Before signing any contracting agreement, there are specific questions you should get clear written answers to. This guide gathers the most important ones, often overlooked until a problem shows up later.
Questions about materials and specifications
- What exactly is the material's source, and can specifications be clarified in writing?
- Are there alternatives with different specs, and what's the price and quality difference?
Questions about timeline and execution
- What's the detailed timeline from signing to handover?
- Who's the supervisor responsible for daily project follow-up?
- How are unexpected delays handled?
Questions about warranty and responsibility
- Does the warranty cover materials and installation together, or only one?
- What's the exact warranty period, and what's excluded from it?
- Who's responsible if an issue appears after handover?
Questions about changes and extra costs
Ask clearly: is the stated price final and all-inclusive, or could extra costs appear during execution? And if you want a mid-project design change, how is that calculated?
Note: prices in this article are indicative and vary with specification, quantity and site conditions. For an exact figure for your project, request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Should all these answers be documented in writing?+
Yes, verbal answers can be forgotten or misinterpreted; written documentation within the contract or formal correspondence protects you if a dispute arises later.
What if the contractor refuses to answer these questions clearly?+
That itself is a signal worth noting; a trustworthy contractor doesn't hesitate to clarify these basic details.
Do these questions apply to all project types?+
Yes, the same principles apply whether the project is a hangar, an annex, finishing work, or any other contracting job.
