Interview 3-5 General Contractors
Choosing the right general contractor is the single most important decision in your home addition project. A thorough interview process with multiple contractors helps you compare approaches, pricing, and personalities to find the best fit.
Quick Summary
Time needed
2-4 weeks
Number to interview
3-5 contractors
Max upfront payment
10% or less
Why This Step Matters
Your general contractor will manage your project for 3-6 months, coordinate all subcontractors, and control the quality of every aspect of your addition. A great contractor makes the process smooth; a poor one can cost you tens of thousands in overruns, delays, and defects.
Critical Warning
Never pay more than 10% upfront. Legitimate contractors have credit lines with suppliers and don't need your money to buy materials. Large upfront payments are the #1 red flag for contractor fraud.
How to Interview Contractors
Schedule On-Site Meetings
Always meet contractors at your property, not at their office. Walk them through your plans and observe how they assess the job. Good contractors ask detailed questions; bad ones make assumptions.
Red flag: If a contractor quotes over the phone without seeing the site, they're not taking your project seriously.
Request Detailed Written Bids
Ask for itemized bids that break down costs by trade and phase. A detailed bid should include:
- Labor costs broken down by phase (demo, framing, finish, etc.)
- Materials with specific brands and quantities
- Permits, fees, and allowances clearly itemized
- Contractor markup/overhead percentage
Pro tip: A one-page bid is a red flag. Quality bids for additions are typically 5-15 pages with full specifications.
Discuss Payment Schedule
A fair payment schedule protects both parties. Payments should be tied to completed milestones, not calendar dates. Here's a reasonable structure:
- 10% or less: Contract signing (deposit)
- 15-20%: Foundation/slab complete
- 20-25%: Framing complete and dried in
- 20-25%: Rough mechanicals complete
- 15-20%: Drywall and finishes
- 10%: Final completion and punch list
Never front-load payments. You should always owe slightly more than the work completed—this keeps the contractor motivated.
Ask About Their Warranty
Understand what's covered after the project is complete. Ask specifically:
- • What is the workmanship warranty period? (Industry standard: 1-2 years)
- • Does it cover subcontractor work?
- • How do you handle warranty claims?
- • What's excluded from warranty coverage?
- • Is the warranty transferable if we sell the home?
Get the warranty in writing as part of your contract—verbal promises mean nothing.
Check References Thoroughly
Ask for 3-5 references from similar projects completed in the last 2 years. When you call references, ask specific questions:
- • Was the project completed on time and on budget?
- • How did they handle unexpected problems?
- • Was the job site kept clean and safe?
- • Would you hire them again without hesitation?
- • What would you have done differently?
Go further: Ask to visit a completed project in person. Seeing their finished work tells you more than any conversation.
Essential Questions to Ask Every Contractor
Use this list during your interviews to compare contractors fairly.
About Their Business
- • How long have you been in business?
- • How many additions like mine have you completed?
- • Will you be the project manager or will someone else?
- • How many projects do you run simultaneously?
- • Can I see your license and insurance certificates?
About This Project
- • What challenges do you foresee with this addition?
- • What would you do differently than my plans show?
- • What's your realistic timeline?
- • Who pulls the permits—you or me?
- • How do you handle change orders?
About Communication
- • How often will we communicate and through what method?
- • What's your typical response time?
- • Will you provide a weekly progress report?
- • What's the best way to reach you in an emergency?
- • How do you handle client concerns or complaints?
Red Flags to Watch For
- Demands more than 10% upfront — legitimate contractors have supplier credit and don't need your money to buy materials
- Significantly lower bid than others — they're either inexperienced, cutting corners, or planning to make it up in change orders
- Pressures you to sign quickly — "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not how professionals operate
- Won't provide references — every good contractor has happy customers willing to speak on their behalf
- Wants cash-only payments — this suggests they may be evading taxes and likely lack proper insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
How much variation in bids should I expect?
For the same scope of work, bids typically vary by 15-30%. If one bid is 40%+ lower than others, be very cautious—they may be missing scope items or planning to add costs through change orders. If one is significantly higher, ask them to justify the difference.
Should I always choose the lowest bidder?
No. The lowest bid is often the worst choice. Choose the contractor who best understands your project, communicates clearly, has strong references, and provides a fair (not necessarily lowest) price. Quality work and reliable service are worth paying for.
What if I like a contractor but their bid is too high?
Share your budget concerns honestly. Ask if there are ways to reduce scope or use different materials to hit your number. Good contractors will work with you on value engineering—but don't expect them to simply cut their price without reducing scope.
How long should I give contractors to prepare bids?
Allow 2-3 weeks for detailed bids. Rushing contractors leads to incomplete pricing and problems later. If a contractor can give you a detailed bid in 2 days, they're probably not being thorough enough.
Ready for the Next Step?
Before signing with any contractor, you must verify their licensing and insurance are current and adequate. This protects you from liability and ensures you're working with a legitimate professional.