Choosing the contractor is the highest-leverage decision in any project — more than the tile, more than the layout. And the useful signals are all visible before you sign anything, if you know what to look for. Here's the checklist we'd give a family member.
Verify, don't assume
In Florida, contractor licenses can be verified through the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and you should look up any contractor you're considering — including us. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the insurer, covering both liability and workers' compensation. A professional will provide these without friction; hesitation is itself an answer.
Read the scope, not just the price
Two bids for 'kitchen remodel' can describe completely different projects. A professional proposal specifies what's included and what isn't: demolition and disposal, the exact work to plumbing and electrical, waterproofing methods, material allowances or specific selections, permit handling, and cleanup. The cheapest number attached to the vaguest scope is usually the most expensive path — the missing items return later as change orders.
Ask about permits directly
Ask plainly: 'Will this project be permitted, and who manages that?' In South Florida, most projects that touch structure, plumbing, electrical, roofing, or windows require permits. A contractor who suggests skipping permits to save time or money is proposing that you carry the risk — unpermitted work can surface during insurance claims and home sales, and it becomes the owner's problem.
Judge the communication before the contract
How a contractor behaves during the estimate is the free preview of the project. Did they show up when they said? Ask real questions about how you use the space? Put things in writing? Explain their process for changes and surprises? Communication habits don't improve after signing — choose the habits you can live with for the length of a project.
The questions worth asking every finalist
Who supervises my project day to day, and how often are they on site? How do you handle a hidden condition discovered during demolition? What does your weekly communication look like? How are payments tied to progress? What happens at the end — walkthrough, punch list, permit closeout? Clear, specific answers to these five questions tell you more than any brochure.
