Top Tips for Vetting a Residential General Contractor

Choosing a builder is the most important decision in any construction project. Here is how to do it with confidence.

Look at real, finished work

Ask for photos of completed projects similar to yours — and ideally, the chance to talk with those homeowners.

If possible, visit a finished home or a job in progress. How a site is kept says a lot about how a project is run.

Look for patterns: communication, staying on budget, finishing on time, and how problems were handled.

Notice how a builder responds to a less-than-perfect review. A calm, specific reply is a good sign.

Any contractor should be able to provide a current certificate of liability insurance. Confirm any registration your municipality requires.

Ask what happens if a trade partner causes damage, and who is responsible for fixing it.

A one-line price is a red flag. A line-item estimate shows the builder has actually thought through your project.

Compare estimates line by line, not just by the total. A lower number sometimes means something has been left out.

Payments should follow completed milestones. Be cautious of large up-front payments unrelated to materials or work completed.

Ask how change orders are priced and approved before work begins, so there are no surprises later.

Will the person you are meeting with be on site, or will the job be handed off? At Isaac Construction, it is Cody, every time.

Ask how often you will get updates, and how. Clear expectations about communication prevent most frustrations.