Hiring a contractor is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes. The wrong choice costs money, time, and a lot of stress. The right questions — asked before you sign anything — will tell you almost everything you need to know. Here’s the list we’d want you to use.
1. Are you licensed and insured in New Jersey?
This is non-negotiable. In NJ, home improvement contractors must be registered with the state. Ask for their registration number and verify it at the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs website. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they hesitate or can’t produce these, stop there.
2. Who will actually be on my job site every day?
Many contractors sell the job and then hand it off. You want to know exactly who will be running your project day-to-day. Is it the owner? A dedicated supervisor? A rotating cast of subs? The answer matters — consistency and accountability on site are what keep projects on track.
3. Can I see completed projects similar to mine?
Photos are easy to find. Completed projects you can actually visit — or past clients you can speak to — are what count. Ask specifically: Have you done projects similar to mine in scope and budget? Can I speak to those homeowners? A confident contractor will say yes.
4. What does your estimate include — exactly?
A good estimate is line-by-line: labor, materials, allowances, and exclusions. A vague number is a guess, not an estimate. Make sure you understand what’s included and — just as importantly — what’s not. That’s where surprise costs hide.
5. How do you handle change orders?
Things change on every project. The question is how. A professional contractor handles all changes in writing, with a clear price, before doing the work. If they tell you “don’t worry about it, we’ll figure it out at the end” — worry about it.
6. What is the payment schedule?
In NJ, home improvement contracts must be in writing for jobs over $500. A reasonable payment schedule ties payments to milestones, not arbitrary dates. Be cautious of contractors who ask for large upfront deposits — more than 10–15% before work begins is a red flag.
7. How do you handle permits?
Most significant home improvement projects in NJ require permits. Ask who pulls them and how they handle the inspection process. A contractor who suggests skipping permits to save money is putting you at legal and financial risk — unpermitted work can cause serious problems when you sell.
8. What is your timeline, and what could delay it?
Ask for a realistic start-to-finish timeline and ask what the most common causes of delay are for projects like yours. Material lead times, permit processing, weather — a contractor who’s done this before will have honest answers and a plan for managing them.
9. Do you warranty your work?
A contractor who stands behind their work will tell you clearly what they warranty and for how long. Get it in writing.
The Bottom Line
A contractor who answers all of these questions directly, without hesitation, and in writing — that’s the contractor you want. One who deflects, gets vague, or pressures you to decide quickly is telling you something important.
Carnevale Construction has been answering these questions — and passing the test — for over 40 years across Morris and Union County, NJ. If you’re planning a project and want to talk to someone who gives straight answers, call Sal at 201-715-8008 or reach out here.