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The vetting kit: 12 questions to ask any contractor

12 questions to ask any contractor — including us — before you sign. What a good answer sounds like, what should make you walk, and a printable checklist to bring to every estimate.

Download the printable checklist Jump to the questions

Most remodeling problems aren't bad luck. They trace back to something that could have been caught before the contract was signed: no license, thin insurance, a vague scope, a payment schedule that runs ahead of the work.

Ask every contractor you're considering the same 12 questions. Good contractors answer them quickly and in writing. The ones who get vague or annoyed have told you what you need to know. Where it applies, we've included how Horizon answers — hold us to the same standard.

Section 1

Credentials

Are you licensed with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department? Under what class?

Why it matters

Colorado has no statewide general contractor license. In Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County, contractor licensing runs through PPRBD — and the license class limits what work a contractor can legally take on.

Good answer

A license number and class you can confirm yourself in two minutes on PPRBD's online contractor search.

Red flag

"We don't need one for this," or a license held by someone else that they "work under."

How Horizon answers

Licensed with PPRBD, license #268777. Look us up.

Can your insurance agent send me your certificates of insurance?

Why it matters

If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or a crew damages your home, the claim can land on you and your homeowner's policy.

Good answer

General liability and workers' compensation certificates, sent directly from the agent, with current dates.

Red flag

A photo of an old certificate, "we're covered," or no workers' comp with employees on site.

How Horizon answers

We carry general liability and workers' compensation. Ask and we'll have our agent send current certificates directly to you.

Who pulls the permits — and in whose name?

Why it matters

The name on the permit is who's responsible for the work passing inspection.

Good answer

"We pull every required permit in our company's name, and inspections are part of our schedule."

Red flag

Asking you to pull the permit as the homeowner, or suggesting you skip it to save time or money. Unpermitted work can surface when you sell, refinance, or file an insurance claim.

How Horizon answers

We pull required permits in Horizon's name and schedule the inspections.

Is your firm EPA Lead-Safe certified? (Homes built before 1978)

Why it matters

Paint in older homes can contain lead. Federal rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes to be certified in lead-safe work practices — containment, cleanup, and verification.

Good answer

A firm certification you can see, plus a clear explanation of how they'll contain dust and clean up.

Red flag

"That's only for old houses" when yours is one, or no plan for dust containment.

How Horizon answers

Horizon is EPA Lead-Safe certified.

Section 2

People

Who will actually be at my house — and who's my one point of contact?

Why it matters

The person who sells the job is often not the person who runs it.

Good answer

A named person responsible for your project, how often they're on site, and how fast they return calls.

Red flag

"Whoever's available," or a different answer every time you ask.

How Horizon answers

An owner oversees every project personally and is your direct contact from estimate to walkthrough.

Which trades do you subcontract, and are they licensed and insured?

Why it matters

Nearly every remodel uses subs — electrical, plumbing, HVAC — and those trades carry their own licensing.

Good answer

A clear list of which trades are subbed, confirmation that they're licensed and insured, and that the general contractor is responsible for their work.

Red flag

"Don't worry about the subs," or unlicensed "helpers" doing electrical or plumbing.

How Horizon answers

Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is done by licensed, insured trade contractors — and Horizon is responsible for their work.

Can I talk to two or three recent clients — including one where something went wrong?

Why it matters

Every project hits a problem. What you're really hiring is how the contractor handles it.

Good answer

Recent references (last 12–18 months) with similar projects, and a straight story about a job that got complicated.

Red flag

Only online reviews, only years-old references, or "nothing ever goes wrong on our jobs."

Section 3

Money

Is this a fixed price, cost-plus, or allowance-based estimate — and what's excluded?

Why it matters

Two bids with different numbers are often two bids with different scopes. Allowances that are set too low make a bid look cheap and come back as change orders.

Good answer

A line-item scope, realistic allowances for finishes you haven't picked yet, and a written list of exclusions.

Red flag

A one-line price, or allowances that seem too good next to the other bids.

How Horizon answers

One written price for the agreed scope, with line items, allowances, and exclusions spelled out. Estimates are free.

What's the payment schedule, and what triggers each payment?

Why it matters

Payments should follow progress. If you've paid for more work than has been done, you've lost your leverage.

Good answer

A reasonable deposit, then payments tied to completed milestones, with a final payment held until the punch list is done.

Red flag

A large cash deposit before anything is scheduled, pressure to pay in cash, or payments due on dates instead of completed work.

How Horizon answers

A 10% deposit, then payments tied to completed project milestones — spelled out in the contract before work starts.

Section 4

Process

How do you handle change orders?

Why it matters

Changes are where budgets break and relationships sour.

Good answer

Every change is written, priced, and signed by you before the work is done — including its effect on schedule.

Red flag

"We'll sort it out at the end."

How Horizon answers

Every change is written, priced, and signed by you before the work is done.

What's the realistic timeline — and what happens when it slips?

Why it matters

Permits, inspections, and material lead times (cabinets, windows, custom tile) drive schedules more than labor does.

Good answer

A start date, a duration range, the long-lead items that could move it, and how you'll be updated.

Red flag

A start date of "next week" on a large job, or a completion date with no caveats.

How Horizon answers

You'll get a written schedule with long-lead items flagged up front, and a written update every week.

Section 5

After the job

What's your warranty — in writing?

Why it matters

A warranty only helps if you know what it covers and how to use it.

Good answer

A written workmanship warranty with a stated term, what it covers, what it excludes, and how to file a claim — separate from the manufacturer warranties on products.

Red flag

A verbal "we stand behind our work," or nothing in the contract.

How Horizon answers

A written 1-year workmanship warranty, spelled out in our contract.

Before you sign: the contract should include

Company legal name, address, and PPRBD license number
Detailed scope of work, with drawings or specs where relevant
Price, allowances, and exclusions
Payment schedule tied to milestones
Change order process
Estimated start and completion dates
Who pulls permits
Warranty terms
How disputes are handled

Walk away if you hear

"We don't need a permit for that."
"Pay in cash and I'll give you a better price."
"I need the full amount up front to order materials."
"This price is only good if you sign today."
"We don't really do written contracts."

Put us through the kit.

Bring these 12 questions to your free estimate — and ask every other contractor on your list the same ones.

Get a free estimate Download the checklist

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For contract questions specific to your project, talk to a Colorado attorney.