Hiring a contractor: 10 questions to ask before you sign
Most building disputes begin with something that was never written down. These ten questions make a contractor put the important things on paper, and they also tell you a lot about how the work will go.
The scope
- What exactly is included? Ask for the scope in writing: what is built, to what specification, and what is left to you (for example, some fittings or approvals).
- Is the price itemised? A bill of quantities lists each item with a quantity and a rate. A single lump-sum makes it hard to compare offers or to price a change later.
- Which materials and brands will be used? Get the grades and brands for cement, steel, tiles, fittings and paint written into the agreement.
The money
- How are payments linked to progress? Payments tied to completed stages protect both sides better than large advances.
- How are changes priced? You should see the extra cost and the effect on time before a change is carried out, not after.
- What is not included in the price? Ask specifically about taxes, approval fees, utility connections, and site clearing.
The work
- Who supervises the site every day? Ask for a name and how you can reach that person. Good sites have someone accountable on them.
- How will I see progress? Photos, milestone updates and site visits should be part of the plan, not a favour.
- What is the timeline, and what happens if it slips? A realistic schedule with stated milestones is more useful than an optimistic date.
- What happens after handover? Ask what support you get for defects that appear later, and for how long.
Then verify
Visit a completed project and, if possible, one that is under way. Talk to the owners. Read the agreement slowly, and do not sign until the answers above are in it.