Ask for the entity behind the proposal
Request the legal business name, physical address, contact person, license number when the work or jurisdiction requires one and proof of insurance appropriate to the job. The Federal Trade Commission’s contractor guidance recommends checking credentials, references and written contract terms. Licensing and insurance requirements differ by trade and location, so verify through the relevant state or local authority. Ask whether subcontractors are expected and which tasks they will perform. A general answer such as “our team handles it” may be insufficient when electrical, plumbing, roofing or structural work is proposed. Confirm who will coordinate inspections and who is responsible for communicating changes in scope.Read the contract as a responsibility map
The agreement should identify the scope, price or pricing method, payment schedule, change-order process and cancellation rights where applicable. Do not rely on verbal assurances that conflict with the written agreement. If the work is urgent, separate immediate protective measures from larger restoration commitments when possible. In a hypothetical water-damage project, a company may coordinate drying while a separate licensed trade repairs a supply line. That division can be appropriate, but the owner should know who is responsible for each task and which approvals are needed. NDR’s Hiring a Restoration Professional archive offers related questions for comparing proposals. Verify information before work begins, and seek local legal or regulatory guidance when a contract term is unclear.Check references that match the kind of work being proposed, not just general satisfaction. Ask whether the contractor communicated changes, protected the property, completed agreed work and handled problems. A reference cannot predict your project, but specific questions produce more useful answers than asking whether someone “liked” the company. Verify business information through the relevant licensing or consumer-protection office where appropriate.
Keep all estimates and messages in one place. If more than one company is involved, note which proposal covers emergency services, permanent repairs and specialty trades. Comparing scope line by line is often more useful than comparing a single total. If you feel pressured to sign before you understand the document, pause and seek independent advice.
Keep copies of every response and note the date it was received so the file can be followed later without relying on memory.
Ask how complaints, warranty requests and unfinished work will be handled after the crew leaves. Obtain the office contact and the person authorized to respond. A long warranty statement does not replace a clear scope, applicable law or proof of insurance. Preserve marketing claims separately from the contract so questions can be resolved against the document that governs the work.
Where a contractor asks you to assign insurance benefits or sign other claim-related forms, read them carefully and seek qualified advice if the effect is unclear. Those documents may affect communications and payment rights; they should not be treated as routine paperwork.
