10 Questions to Ask a Remodeling Contractor

The best way to choose a remodeling contractor is to ask direct questions about licensing, insurance, permits, pricing, payments and warranties, and to get every answer in writing before you sign. A good contractor will answer all ten questions below without hesitation. If someone dodges them, that tells you what you need to know.

A remodel is one of the largest investments most homeowners make in their house, and the contractor you pick matters more than the tile or the countertops. Use this list when you interview contractors in Jackson and across West Tennessee, and bring it to every estimate appointment.

1. Are you licensed in Tennessee, and what is your license number?

Ask for the license number and look it up yourself. In Tennessee, a contractor generally needs a state contractor license for projects of $25,000 or more, and some counties also require a home improvement license for smaller residential jobs. You can verify a license in a couple of minutes on the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance license search.

What a good answer sounds like: A license number, the classification it covers, and no hesitation when you say you'll check it.

Red flag: "We don't need a license for this kind of job" on a project that clearly does, or a number that doesn't match the company name.

2. Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance?

Yes, is not enough. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the insurance agent. General liability protects your home if something is damaged during the project. Workers' compensation protects you if someone on the crew is hurt on your property.

What a good answer sounds like: "I'll have my agent email you a certificate today."

Red flag: Expired coverage, a certificate in a different business name, or a request that you rely on your own homeowner's policy.

3. How long have you been remodeling homes in this area, and can I see similar projects?

Local experience matters. A contractor who has worked in Jackson for years knows the local permit office, the inspectors, the suppliers and the quirks of older West Tennessee homes. Ask to see photos of projects similar in size and style to yours, not just their best work.

What a good answer sounds like: A portfolio with before-and-after photos of comparable kitchens, baths or additions, and a clear sense of how long the company has been operating locally.

Red flag: Only stock photos, or no projects like yours.

4. Can you give me references from recent clients?

Online reviews on Google, BBB, Houzz and Nextdoor are a good start, but talk to two or three past clients from the last year. Ask whether the project finished on time and on budget, how problems were handled and whether they would hire the contractor again.

What a good answer sounds like: Names and phone numbers of recent clients, ideally for projects like yours.

Red flag: Only references from years ago, or reviews that all appeared in the same week.

5. Who will be on site every day, and do you use subcontractors?

Most remodelers use specialty subcontractors for trades like plumbing, electrical and HVAC. That's normal. What you want to know is who manages the job, who you call with questions and whether the subcontractors are licensed and insured too.

What a good answer sounds like: A named project lead, a clear explanation of which trades are subcontracted, and confirmation that every sub carries its own coverage.

Red flag: "Different guys, depending on who's available."

6. Will you pull the permits and schedule the inspections?

The contractor should pull the permits in their own name. Remodels that move plumbing, change electrical work or alter structure usually need a permit from the City of Jackson or Madison County. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims and when you sell the house.

What a good answer sounds like: "Yes, we handle all permits and inspections, and the cost is in the estimate."

Red flag: Asking you to pull the permit as the homeowner or suggesting you skip it to save money.

7. What exactly is included in your written estimate, and what isn't?

Get a detailed, written, itemized estimate from every contractor you're considering. It should spell out labor, materials, allowances for finishes like tile and fixtures, demolition, cleanup, permits and the timeline. Comparing line items is the only fair way to compare bids.

What a good answer sounds like: An itemized estimate with clear allowances and a written list of exclusions.

Red flag: A one-line price on a business card, or a bid far below everyone else's with no detail.

8. What does the payment schedule look like?

Payments should follow progress. A reasonable deposit is followed by payments tied to completed milestones, such as demolition, rough-in inspections, cabinets installed and final walkthrough. Hold back the final payment until the punch list is complete.

What a good answer sounds like: A written schedule tied to specific milestones, with the final payment due after your walkthrough.

Red flag: A large upfront payment before any work starts, or a demand for cash only.

9. How do you handle change orders and surprises?

Remodels uncover things: rotted subfloor, old wiring, plumbing that isn't up to code. Ask how the contractor tells you about surprises, how the price changes and whether every change is approved in writing before work continues. Ask, too, how often you'll get updates and how quickly they return calls.

What a good answer sounds like: "Every change gets a written change order with the price and schedule impact, and nothing proceeds until you sign it."

Red flag: "We'll settle up at the end."

10. What warranty do you offer, and how do you handle callbacks?

Ask what the workmanship warranty covers, how long it lasts and how to request a repair. Manufacturer warranties on products like windows, fixtures and flooring are separate, so ask the contractor to hand those over at the end of the job.

What a good answer sounds like: A written workmanship warranty with a clear term and a simple process for callbacks.

Red flag: A verbal promise only, or "call me if anything comes up."

Quick Checklist: Bring This to Every Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

How many estimates should I get for a remodel?

Get at least three written, itemized estimates. That gives you a clear sense of fair pricing and makes outliers easy to spot.

How do I check a contractor's license in Tennessee?

Use the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance online license search (verify.tn.gov). Enter the contractor's name or license number and confirm the license is active and matches the company name on your contract.

How much of a deposit should a remodeling contractor ask for?

A reasonable deposit covers scheduling and initial materials, with the rest paid in stages as work is completed. Be cautious of anyone asking for most of the price before work begins.

Do I need a permit for a bathroom or kitchen remodel?

Usually yes, if the project moves plumbing, adds or changes electrical circuits or alters walls. Cosmetic updates like paint or new cabinet doors typically don't. Your contractor should confirm with the local permit office and pull the permit.

What should a remodeling contract include?

Scope of work, itemized pricing and allowances, start and completion dates, payment schedule, change-order process, permit responsibility, cleanup and the workmanship warranty.

Ready to Talk About Your Project?

Wolfe Construction Company is happy to answer every one of these questions before you hire us. Our Tennessee contractor license, #39671, has been active since 1997, and you can look it up yourself at verify.tn.gov. Schedule a free estimate and we'll walk through your project, your budget and your timeline, in writing. Explore our remodeling services or call (731) 664-7581.

Related reading: Kitchen Remodel Cost: 2026 Price Guide | How Long a Bathroom Remodel Takes in West Tennessee | Your Complete Bathroom Remodel Checklist

About the Author

Wolfe Company. Licensed in Tennessee since 1997 and remodeling homes in Jackson and West Tennessee for more than 30 years. Tennessee contractor license #39671 (BC – Residential, Commercial and Industrial; CMC – Mechanical); fully insured; A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.