40 Questions to Ask Your Remodeler Before You Start a Project

When you decide to do work with ANY business, you probably know the basic questions to ask:

• How long have you been in business?
• Can I talk to past clients?
• Do you carry insurance?

These are go-to questions that we all know are important. You wouldn’t dream of skipping them, because they tell you right away whether you’re dealing with a fly-by-night outfit or a real professional.

But here’s the thing…there are OTHER questions that matter just as much, sometimes more, especially when it comes to working with a renovator for a custom remodel. Your home is at stake in that case, not to mention the investment you’re trying to put into it!!

(The cost of a remodel requires us to ask more questions of our remodelers: just look at the average bathroom remodel cost and average kitchen remodel cost today.)

Some of the clever questions that no one EVER thinks to ask on their own include:

• Do you have an in-house design team, or do I track down one myself?
• What happens if I change my mind on something mid-project?
• Who’s in charge of communication between your designers and production team?

You see the difference? These are the kinds of questions that separate the companies that deliver a beautiful result (AND a smooth experience along the way) from those that leave you with headaches, stress, and regret.

And if you’re not already sure what the difference is between a contractor and a remodeler, you’ll want to start here.

Are you ready to dig in?! Here are 40 questions you should ask your remodeler BEFORE you hand over a single check…

Credentials & Experience

These questions tell you in no uncertain terms what kind of business you’re sitting across the table from. They cover years in business and track records, types of insurance held, AND third-party standards the company meets.

Why does all that matter? Because the remodeler you choose will be in your home, handling your investment, and shaping the space you LIVE in every single day. If they can’t answer these without hesitation—or worse, if their answers make you squirm—you’ve just avoided a world of trouble!!

Questions to ask:

1. Are you NARI-accredited, and if not, what third-party standards do you meet?
2. How many years have you been in business under this ownership?
3. What percentage of your projects are repeat clients or referrals?
4. Do you specialize in renovations (not just new builds, not just repairs)?
5. Can you provide examples of projects similar in scale or scope to mine?

Things to look for:

• Emphasis on repeat and referral clients
• Clear mention of NARI accreditation (or another recognized credential)
• Minimum 10+ years in business under the same ownership
• Real project examples that sound like YOUR project

Design

A lot of people assume “design” is just picking tile or paint colors. But no, it’s the whole plan for your renovation, including the scope and specifications of every single element. The principal question is: does the company even HAVE designers in-house, or will they leave you stranded to figure that piece out yourself?!

Why does it matter? Because without design integrated into your remodel journey, you end up juggling designers (or architects) and contractors yourself. And you do NOT want to be the go-between for all that!

Questions to ask:

1. Do you have an in-house design team, or do I need to hire a separate designer?
2. How do you make sure my design choices fit my lifestyle as well as my budget?
3. How will you help me visualize my final design before construction starts?
4. What happens if I change my mind about a design element mid-project?
5. How do you acquire selections so I don’t have to manage orders?

Things to look for:

• An in-house design team
• 3D renderings or visual tools
• Design tied directly to your lifestyle needs
• A clear, documented process for changes
• One point of contact for ALL selections

Be sure to check out the 25 questions to ask your interior designer, too…

Project Management

This is where projects succeed…or fail miserably!! Project management means having the systems and the people in place to keep your remodel moving forward without YOU having to play traffic cop. Think of material purchases, deliveries, the overall project schedule, managing changes to that schedule (because things WILL come up), coordinating with specific subcontractors and trades specialists, etc.

Why does it matter? Because your investment is on the line every single day!! One missed delivery, or one delayed trade, or one communication gap…and the dominoes tumble.

Questions to ask:

1. Do you have an in-house production team?
2. How do you create and track the project schedule?
3. Who will be my single point of contact during the project?
4. What systems or channels do you use to keep me updated?
5. How do you handle all project-related communications between your designers, project managers, and tradespeople?

Things to look for:

• In-house production team
• Dedicated project manager
• Weekly check-ins specific to your project
• One seamless communication channel
• Cloud-based or online project tracking

Subcontractors

They’re part of every remodel—subcontractors come in for specific trade work, like millimetric-precise tile installation or for plumbing or electric. For your project, you need to know: who’s hiring external tradespeople? How are they vetted? Who’s managing them and checking their work?

Why does it matter? Because trade specialists are important hands working on key elements of your project. If the remodeler doesn’t control quality, scheduling, and accountability of all people working on your home, you’ll be the one paying the price in poor work and MAJOR schedule setbacks.

Questions to ask:

1. How do you vet any subcontractors needed for my project?
2. Are your subcontractors insured and licensed in their trades?
3. Will the same tradespeople work on my project start to finish?
4. How do you ensure that the work of subcontractors aligns with the final design?
5. How do you resolve situations if a subcontractor falls behind schedule or work has to be redone?

Things to look for:

• Commitment to consistency (no random crews)
• Written vetting and management process for all subcontractors
• Proof of insurance or licensing among vetted subcontractors
• System for quality checks of all work done by subcontractors
• Clear escalation process when things go wrong

Budget & Transparency

Budget questions might feel awkward, but trust me…you can’t afford NOT to ask them!! Any remodeler worth your trust will be upfront about what’s included, how change orders are handled, and how costs are tracked.

Why does it matter? “Surprise costs” are the number one reason homeowners feel burned after a remodel experience. The right firm will talk about your investment and the line items in your budget the same way they talk about your project scope and timeline: with clarity and commitment.

Questions to ask:

1. How do you prepare an estimate, and is it itemized?
2. What factors do your estimates include that other companies might leave out?
3. Do you guarantee my project will stay within the agreed budget range?
4. How do you handle change orders, and what’s the approval process?
5. How do you track costs during the project?

Things to look for:

• Detailed estimate with an itemization of everything
• Mention of hidden costs they already include in estimates
• Transparent reporting system
• A formal change order process

Quality Standards

This is the section that tells you whether you’ll get what you pay for…or if you’ll end up with corners cut. Standards matter!! And I’m talking about quality standards above and beyond local code minimums.

Why does it matter? Because this is your HOME. You want it to look beautiful, yes, but you also need it to function flawlessly looong after the dust settles.

Questions to ask:

1. How do you ensure your projects meet or exceed building codes?
2. What quality-control steps do you take before the project is finished?
3. How long is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?
4. How do you handle warranty issues if something comes up later?
5. Are there third party associations or vendors who hold you accountable, too?

Things to look for:

• Talks of exceeding code standards (not just meeting them)
• A process for formal walk-throughs and punch lists
• Multi-year warranties with specific inclusions
• Long-term service after project completion
• Memberships in NARI, ASID, IDS, etc.

Logistics (i.e., Lifestyle Impact)

Next, how will this remodel affect your day-to-day life? Who’s getting ahead of potential inconveniences for you by thinking about dust, noise, safety, and all the other “messy” stuff?

Why does it matter? Remodeling is about the experience you live through as well as the finished product. If your remodeler doesn’t plan for it, YOU will be the one dealing with any chaos. Dust and inconveniences are inevitable…but you need to know the company you work with will MINIMIZED every discomfort.

Questions to ask:

1. How do you minimize daily routine disruption during construction?
2. How do you ensure dust, noise, and debris are controlled?
3. Will I need to move out, and if so, for how long?
4. What safety protocols do you have for my family, pets and property?
5. How do you handle unexpected issues found during construction, like mold or outdated wiring?

Things to look for:

• Safety plans for pets and kids
• Dust barriers, dust removal systems, floor protection
• Honest answers about temporary relocation
• Transparency about handling surprises

Speaking of family…why not check out these Questions to Ask Your Family Before a Remodel, too, so you can get everyone’s concerns on the table!!

Vision & Fit

Finally, the questions that go BEYOND logistics and numbers!! These guarantee that your chosen remodeler “gets it.” Each question helps uncover whether your remodeler is a true partner in creating the space that brings joy for years to come.

Why does it matter? A remodel is about how you LIVE, how you feel every day, and how your home supports your best life. These questions ensure the remodeler gets “you” in a way that makes that possible.

Questions to ask:

1. How will you help me determine which projects give me the best “return on enjoyment?”
2. How do you ensure my home feels cohesive when only part of it is renovated?
3. How do you balance trend-driven design with timeless solutions?
4. How do you handle the handoff from design to construction?
5. Why should I choose you instead of a general contractor, or instead of a design firm then a separate builder?

Things to look for:

• Whole-home thinking
• Return On Enjoyment^®
• Emphasis on lifestyle fit
• Seamless design-to-build transition
• Differentiators beyond price

Most homeowners call a remodeler with only a few basic questions on their minds. But now, you have the list that uncovers what really matters.

These questions open the door to the TRUTH about how a company works, how they plan, and whether they’ll protect your investment and make the most of it.

Use this list! Print it, bring it with you, and mark down what you hear! Every answer tells you something about the experience ahead.

If the priorities uncovered here resonate with you, contact us directly!!

Meanwhile, check out the 42 bathroom design questions to ask for the perfect spa-grade bathroom, or the 45 kitchen design questions to ask for lifestyle perfection…you’ll be surprised what you didn’t know to ask!

About the author:

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.

Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.