How to Check References Thoroughly
Every contractor will provide references—but only their best ones. Your job is to dig deeper, ask the right questions, and ideally see their work in person. This step has saved countless homeowners from hiring the wrong contractor.
Quick Summary
Time needed
2-4 hours
References to call
3 minimum
Project visits
1-2 recommended
Why Reference Checking Matters
A contractor can have a great website, say all the right things, and still be a nightmare to work with. References are your window into what actually happens once they start working in someone's home.
The truth about references: Contractors only give you their happiest clients. If even these hand-picked references have concerns, imagine what the others would say. That's why thorough questioning is essential.
Online reviews help, but a 15-minute phone conversation reveals nuances that star ratings can't. You'll hear hesitations, catch qualifiers ("they were good... eventually"), and ask follow-up questions.
Questions to Ask Past Clients
Project Basics
Start with context. Make sure their project was similar to yours.
- •"What type of project did they do for you?"
- •"When was the project completed?"
- •"What was the approximate project cost?"
- •"How did you find this contractor?"
Timeline and Budget
The most common complaints are about projects running late and over budget. Get specifics.
- •"Was the project completed on time? If not, by how much?"
- •"Did the final cost match the original bid?"
- •"Were there any surprise costs or change orders?"
- •"How did they handle changes you requested?"
What to listen for: Minor delays (1-2 weeks) due to supply issues are normal. Major delays (months) or budget overruns over 15% suggest poor planning or scope creep.
Communication and Professionalism
You'll be living with this contractor for weeks or months. Communication style matters enormously.
- •"How responsive were they to calls/texts/emails?"
- •"Did they keep you updated on progress?"
- •"Were workers on site consistently? Did they show up when expected?"
- •"How did they handle disagreements or misunderstandings?"
- •"Did they clean up at the end of each day?"
Problem Handling
Problems are inevitable. What matters is how they're resolved.
- •"Did any problems come up during the project?"
- •"How did they handle unexpected issues?"
- •"Was there anything that needed to be fixed or redone?"
- •"How did they respond to your concerns?"
The Final Questions
These questions often reveal the most honest feedback.
- ★"Would you hire them again?" — Any hesitation is telling.
- ★"What could they have done better?" — Everyone has something.
- ★"Knowing what you know now, would you still choose them?"
- ★"Is there anything I should know before hiring them?"
Visiting Completed Projects
Photos lie. Visiting a completed kitchen in person reveals quality details that don't show up on screen.
What to Inspect:
Cabinets:
- • Doors align evenly (no crooked gaps)
- • Drawers slide smoothly
- • Soft-close works on all doors
- • No visible scratches or dings
Countertops:
- • Seams are tight and minimal
- • Edges are consistent
- • Backsplash meets cleanly
- • Sink cutout is precise
Tile work:
- • Grout lines are straight and even
- • No lippage (uneven tile edges)
- • Edges and corners look finished
- • Pattern aligns properly
Finishing:
- • Caulk lines are clean and consistent
- • Paint edges are crisp
- • Outlet covers sit flat
- • Hardware is level
Pro tip: Ask the homeowner to show you anything they're not happy with. Even good contractors aren't perfect, and seeing how they addressed (or didn't address) concerns is valuable.
Red Flags to Watch For
Hesitation before answering
Long pauses before saying "yes, I'd hire them again" means the answer is probably "no." People don't hesitate about truly great experiences.
"Eventually" or "in the end"
"They did good work... eventually" suggests problems during the project. Press for details about what happened before things got good.
Significant budget overrun
Going 5-10% over budget is common. Going 25-50% over suggests either poor estimating or a contractor who bids low and makes it up with change orders.
Unfinished punch list items
If a past client mentions items that were never fixed or took months to address, expect the same treatment. Good contractors close out punch lists promptly.
Only provides 1-2 references
A contractor who's been in business for years should have many happy clients. Providing only a couple references suggests either inexperience or unhappy former clients.
Supplementing with Online Reviews
References are hand-picked. Online reviews include everyone—including unhappy clients the contractor hoped you'd never talk to.
Where to Check
- •Google Business — Most comprehensive
- •Yelp — Detailed reviews, filtering options
- •Houzz — Contractor-focused, project photos
- •BBB — Complaint history and resolution
- •Nextdoor — Neighborhood recommendations
What to Look For
- •Patterns in complaints (same issues repeated)
- •How they respond to negative reviews
- •Recent reviews (last 12 months)
- •Reviews that mention kitchen remodels specifically
- •Any BBB complaints and how they were resolved
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contractor references should I check?
Request 5-7 references and actually contact at least 3. Contractors will only give you their best references, so the more you check, the more accurate picture you'll get. If a contractor can't provide 5 references for similar projects, that's a concern.
What should I ask contractor references?
Ask: Was the project completed on time and on budget? How did they handle problems or changes? Were workers respectful of your home? Would you hire them again? What was their communication like? What could have been better? These questions reveal more than "were you satisfied?"
Should I visit a contractor's completed projects?
Yes, visiting at least one completed kitchen is essential. Photos can hide flaws. In person, you can check cabinet alignment, drawer operation, grout lines, caulking, and overall finish quality. Look for details that indicate care and craftsmanship.
What are red flags when checking references?
Red flags include: references who hesitate before answering, projects that went significantly over budget or timeline, poor communication mentioned repeatedly, contractor who disappeared during the project, unresolved punch list items, and anyone who says they wouldn't hire them again.
Ready for the Next Step?
Good references are encouraging, but they're not enough. Before signing a contract, verify that your contractor is properly licensed and insured to protect yourself legally and financially.