Red Flags When Hiring a Contractor: 15 Warning Signs
The biggest red flags when hiring a contractor are: inability to provide a license number on the spot, requesting 30% or more upfront, insisting on cash-only payment, pressuring you to sign the same day, suggesting you skip permits, and showing up…
General Contractor vs Handyman: Which Do You Need?
Hire a handyman for small, non-structural repairs under roughly $500 that do not require permits, such as fixing a faucet, patching drywall, or hanging shelves. Hire a general contractor when the project involves structural changes, multiple trades, or…
General Contractor vs Subcontractor: Roles Explained
A general contractor manages an entire construction project: hiring subcontractors, pulling permits, setting the schedule, and serving as the homeowner’s single point of contact. A subcontractor is a specialist, such as an electrician, plumber, or…
How to Verify a Contractor’s License and Insurance (State-by-State)
To verify a contractor’s license, search your state licensing board’s online lookup tool using the contractor’s license number or business name. Most states show license status, classification, bond amount, and complaint history. To…
25+ Questions to Ask a General Contractor Before Hiring
Before hiring a general contractor, ask about their license number, insurance certificates, project timeline, who will be on-site daily, how change orders are handled, what the payment schedule is tied to, and what their workmanship warranty covers. The…
How to Hire a General Contractor: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide (2026)
To hire a general contractor, follow five steps: (1) define your project scope, (2) find licensed candidates through referrals or platforms like Angi or Thumbtack, (3) verify their license and insurance through your state licensing board, (4) collect at…
