How many bids should I get for a home remodel?

Get at least three bids for any project over $5,000. This gives you a market rate baseline, exposes scope differences between contractors, and ensures you're not overpaying. For projects over $50,000, getting four to five bids is worth the extra time.

What should a remodeling contract include?

A complete contract should include: detailed scope of work with specific materials (brand, model number, dimensions), project timeline with milestone dates, payment schedule tied to milestones (not calendar dates), lien waiver process, change order procedure, warranty terms (typically 1 year labor, manufacturer warranty on materials), and dispute resolution terms.

How do I verify a contractor's license?

Every state has an online license lookup tool through its contractor licensing board. Search for the contractor's full legal business name and license number. Verify the license is active, covers the type of work being done, and has no disciplinary history. Also check for insurance certificates — request a copy naming you as additionally insured.

What are red flags when hiring a remodeling contractor?

Major red flags include: requesting more than 30–33% as a deposit upfront, offering to pull permits 'later' or suggesting you skip permits, providing only a verbal estimate without a written contract, carrying no general liability insurance, having a local reputation you can't verify (no reviews, no references), or significantly underbidding competitors without explanation.

Is the lowest bid always the worst?

Not necessarily — but it should raise questions. Ask why the bid is lower. Sometimes a lower bidder has lower overhead, not lower quality. More often, a significantly lower bid indicates excluded scope, lower-quality materials, or subcontractors who aren't properly insured. Always compare bids line by line, not just totals.

Hiring a Remodeling Contractor: The Complete 2026 Checklist

April 25, 2026

The Contractor Hiring Process in 2026

The quality of your remodeling contractor determines the outcome of your project more than any other single factor — more than the materials you choose, the design you plan, or the budget you set. A bad contractor with great materials still produces a bad result. The good news: the vetting process is systematic and learnable.

Use this checklist before signing any contract. You can also browse top-rated remodeling contractors near you to start with pre-vetted options.

Step 1: Define Your Project Before Reaching Out

Before contacting any contractor, document your project as specifically as possible. This doesn't mean you need architectural drawings — but you should be able to describe:

What rooms or areas are involved
What you want to change (layout, finishes, fixtures)
Any non-negotiable materials or brands you have in mind
Your approximate budget range
Your desired timeline

Vague requests produce vague bids. Specific requests produce comparable, apples-to-apples quotes.

Step 2: Source Candidates

The best contractors are typically found through:

Personal referrals from neighbors or friends who had similar work done
Local directories like our city-specific contractor rankings
Trade associations — NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) members are vetted
Local lumberyard or tile showroom recommendations — they see who builds quality work

Avoid selecting exclusively from Google Ads results — many high-spending advertisers are lead-generation companies that resell your information to multiple contractors.

Step 3: Verify License and Insurance

Before inviting anyone to bid, confirm:

Contractor's license: Look up the license on your state's licensing board website. Confirm it's active and covers general contracting (not just a specialty trade).
General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million per occurrence for most projects. Request a certificate of insurance with your name as certificate holder.
Workers' compensation insurance: Protects you if a worker is injured on your property. If a contractor uses uninsured subs, you may be liable.

Step 4: Conduct Initial Interviews

Before bidding, have a 20-minute conversation with each candidate. Ask:

How many projects similar to mine have you completed in the past 3 years?
Who will be on-site daily — you or a site supervisor?
Do you use your own employees or subcontractors for most of the work?
How do you handle permit pulling and inspections?
Can you provide three references from similar projects completed in the last 12 months?

A contractor unwilling to answer these questions directly is a warning sign.

Step 5: Get Itemized Written Bids

Require written, itemized bids — not ballpark estimates. Each bid should break out:

Labor by trade (carpentry, tile, plumbing, electrical)
Materials with specifications (manufacturer, model, color, dimensions)
Allowances (if materials aren't selected yet, what is the assumed cost?)
Exclusions (what is explicitly not included)
Permit costs
Payment schedule

Step 6: Check References

Call at least two references for projects of similar scope. Ask:

Was the project completed on time and on budget?
Were there change orders, and how were they handled?
How was communication throughout?
Were there any warranty issues after completion, and how were they resolved?
Would you hire them again?

Step 7: Review the Contract

Never start work without a signed written contract. Key contract elements include:

Scope of work: Detailed enough that you could hand it to a different contractor and get the same result
Materials specifications: Every material item listed with brand, model, color, and finish
Payment schedule: Tied to milestones, not dates. Never pay more than 33% upfront.
Change order clause: All changes must be in writing and signed before work begins
Lien waiver provisions: Contractor agrees to provide lien waivers from subs and suppliers at each payment milestone
Warranty: Minimum 1 year on labor; longer is better
Dispute resolution: Mediation or arbitration clause

Red Flags to Walk Away From

Asking for more than 33% down before any work begins
Suggesting you skip permits to save time or money
Refusing to put scope in writing
Pressure to sign immediately or lose the slot
No physical business address (just a cell number)
No reviews or references from the past 12 months

Browse top-rated remodeling contractors by city to find vetted professionals with verifiable reviews and completed project histories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bids should I get for a home remodel?: Get at least three bids for any project over $5,000. This gives you a market rate baseline, exposes scope differences between contractors, and ensures you're not overpaying. For projects over $50,000, getting four to five bids is worth the extra time.
What should a remodeling contract include?: A complete contract should include: detailed scope of work with specific materials (brand, model number, dimensions), project timeline with milestone dates, payment schedule tied to milestones (not calendar dates), lien waiver process, change order procedure, warranty terms (typically 1 year labor, manufacturer warranty on materials), and dispute resolution terms.
How do I verify a contractor's license?: Every state has an online license lookup tool through its contractor licensing board. Search for the contractor's full legal business name and license number. Verify the license is active, covers the type of work being done, and has no disciplinary history. Also check for insurance certificates — request a copy naming you as additionally insured.
What are red flags when hiring a remodeling contractor?: Major red flags include: requesting more than 30–33% as a deposit upfront, offering to pull permits 'later' or suggesting you skip permits, providing only a verbal estimate without a written contract, carrying no general liability insurance, having a local reputation you can't verify (no reviews, no references), or significantly underbidding competitors without explanation.
Is the lowest bid always the worst?: Not necessarily — but it should raise questions. Ask why the bid is lower. Sometimes a lower bidder has lower overhead, not lower quality. More often, a significantly lower bid indicates excluded scope, lower-quality materials, or subcontractors who aren't properly insured. Always compare bids line by line, not just totals.