Hiring the wrong contractor is the most expensive mistake a homeowner can make. Here’s how to find the right one—and recognize when to walk away.
Start With Referrals
Ask neighbors, friends, and family for recommendations. Online reviews help, but personal referrals from people who’ve completed similar projects are more reliable. A contractor who does great kitchen work might not be the right choice for a new home build.
Verify Credentials
In Rhode Island, contractors must hold a valid registration with the Contractors’ Registration Board. Verify their registration number, check for complaints, and confirm they carry both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
Get Multiple Bids
Get at least three detailed bids for your project. Bids should itemize labor, materials, permits, and timeline—not just a lump sum. If one bid is dramatically lower than the others, that’s a warning sign, not a deal.
Check Recent Work
Ask to see projects completed in the last 6-12 months. Visit a completed project if possible. Better yet, ask to visit an active job site—how they manage an active project tells you more than a finished portfolio.
Red Flags to Watch For
Requests for large upfront deposits (more than 10-15%), no written contract, suggestions to skip permits, inability to provide references, no physical business address, and pressure to sign immediately are all warning signs.
The Contract Matters
A proper contract specifies scope of work, materials, timeline, payment schedule, change order process, warranty terms, and dispute resolution. Never start work without a signed contract—verbal agreements are unenforceable.
Communication Test
Pay attention to how responsive a contractor is during the bidding process. If they’re hard to reach before you’ve signed, they’ll be harder to reach during construction.
