I've been in the trades for 27 years. I've seen what happens when homeowners skip due diligence — and it's expensive, stressful, and sometimes dangerous. The good news: most bad contractor situations are entirely avoidable.
Here are the seven questions I recommend every Northeast Ohio homeowner ask before signing a contract. Not as a checklist — but as a framework for understanding who you're actually dealing with.
1. Are you licensed in Ohio for this type of work?
Ohio requires contractor licensing through local jurisdictions, not the state. For Summit County work, contractors should be licensed through the Summit County Building Department. Ask for their license number and verify it — it takes two minutes.
For electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work specifically, the individual performing the work must hold the appropriate trade license. A general contractor can manage the project, but the licensed subcontractors must pull their own permits.
2. Do you carry liability insurance AND workers' comp?
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance naming you as an additional insured. This protects you if a worker is injured on your property or if they cause damage to your home.
Important: Workers' comp is separate from liability. Without workers' comp, if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you may be liable for their medical costs.
A legitimate contractor will provide this certificate without hesitation — often before you even ask.
3. Who specifically will be doing the work?
Many contractors win jobs and then hand them off to subcontractors the homeowner has never met. This isn't necessarily bad — but you should know upfront. Ask: "Will you be on-site, or will your crew be here?" and "If you use subs, how do you vet them?"
4. Can you show me three recent local references — specifically for this type of project?
Not five-year-old references. Not a general "list of happy customers." Recent references, local, for work similar to what you're having done. And actually call them. Ask: "Did the project finish on schedule? Did the final cost match the estimate? Would you hire them again?"
5. How do you handle change orders?
Change orders — additions or modifications to the original scope — are where most renovation cost overruns happen. Ask to see a blank change order form. Ask how they're priced and approved. A good contractor has a clear, written process. If they say "we'll figure it out as we go," walk away.
6. What's your payment schedule?
Be very cautious of contractors who ask for more than 30–35% upfront. Industry standard for most residential projects is: 30% deposit, milestone draws as work progresses, final 10% upon completion and your satisfaction.
Never pay in full before work is finished. Never pay entirely in cash. Always use a check or credit card you can dispute if something goes wrong.
7. Have you pulled permits for this type of work before?
Unpermitted work creates significant problems when you sell your home, file an insurance claim, or need the work inspected later. A contractor who suggests skipping permits to "save you money" is not protecting your interests.
Ask specifically: "Will you pull all required permits for this project?" The answer should be an unqualified yes.
The Real Problem: You Don't Know What You Don't Know
Even with all seven of these questions answered perfectly, you're still evaluating contractors without a clear scope of work. You don't have drawings. You don't have specifications. You don't have a clear picture of what you actually need done — which means every bid is a guess, and you have no way to compare them.
That's the core problem the Home Clarity Report solves. We assess your home, document every need, create detailed scopes of work, and give you the documents that let you evaluate contractor bids on equal footing. It's the difference between hoping you hired the right person and actually knowing.