Home & Hiring
Questions to ask contractors, home-service professionals, realtors, inspectors, and other people you may hire to help with your home.
Use the question sets below to explore this subject in a clear, practical order.
Explore Home & Hiring
Things to Ask a Contractor Before You Hire Them
A practical contractor-hiring checklist covering credentials, estimates, permits, schedules, payments, warranties, references, and red flags.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Roofer Before You Hire Them
A detailed roofer-hiring checklist covering credentials, roofing systems, scope, decking, flashing, ventilation, warranties, cleanup, and payment.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Plumber Before You Hire Them
A practical plumber-hiring checklist covering diagnosis, credentials, scope, materials, permits, pricing, change orders, scheduling, and warranties.
See QuestionsThings to Ask an Electrician Before You Hire Them
A detailed electrician-hiring checklist covering credentials, diagnosis, scope, panels, permits, materials, EV or generator loads, pricing, scheduling, and warranties.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Home Inspector Before You Buy
A detailed home-inspection question list covering scope, roof, structure, moisture, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, attic, major defects, and follow-up inspections.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before You Hire Them
A real-estate-agent hiring checklist covering local experience, communication, agreements, compensation, strategy, negotiation, conflicts of interest, and transaction problems.
See QuestionsThings to Ask an HVAC Contractor Before You Hire Them
A detailed HVAC contractor checklist covering diagnosis, sizing, equipment, ducts, heat pumps, electrical and drainage work, permits, price, rebates, and warranties.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Painter Before You Hire Them
A painter-hiring checklist covering surface preparation, repairs, paint products, coats, protection, cabinets, exterior work, price, cleanup, and warranty.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Moving Company Before You Hire Them
A moving-company hiring checklist covering estimates, extra charges, packing, furniture, delivery, storage, damage coverage, inventory, payment, and moving-day problems.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Home Builder Before You Hire Them
A home-builder hiring checklist covering contracts, allowances, site work, specifications, subcontractors, schedule, change orders, payments, inspections, communication, and warranty.
See QuestionsThings to Ask a Tree Service Before You Hire Them
A tree-service hiring checklist covering insurance, removal versus pruning, equipment, rigging, property protection, stumps, debris, permits, neighbors, timing, and cost.
See Questions