Questions to ask before hiring

The questions that matter most

Print these out or keep them on your phone for every contractor you talk to. How a contractor answers tells you as much as the answers themselves.

• Are you licensed and insured? They should readily provide a PA registration number, liability insurance, and workers' comp.
• What is included in the quote? Get the scope in writing so expectations are clear.
• What is excluded? Just as important, know what you're responsible for (painting, disposal, permits, certain materials).
• How are change orders handled? Look for written, pre-approved changes, never surprise charges.
• Who buys the materials? Clarify what's contractor-supplied vs owner-provided.
• What is the payment schedule? Expect a reasonable deposit and milestone-based payments, not most of the money up front.
• How is the project documented? Progress updates, photos, and a point of contact keep you informed.
• What happens if something needs fixing? There should be a clear, written workmanship warranty.
• How do you communicate during the project? You want to know who to reach and how often you'll hear from them.

How we answer

At Antillean Restoration, we welcome every one of these questions. We're licensed (PA183379) and insured, we put scope and payment schedules in writing, we handle change orders with your written approval, we keep you updated with a dedicated point of contact, and every contract includes a clearly labeled warranty. If a contractor is reluctant to answer these, that tells you something important.