Signing a construction contract is a significant commitment. These are the questions that matter before you sign.
1. Are you a registered contractor in Idaho? Ask for the contractor registration number. Verify at dbs.idaho.gov. This confirms the contractor carries liability insurance and workers' compensation.
2. Can you provide a certificate of general liability insurance? The certificate should show current coverage and appropriate limits. Minimum $300,000 per occurrence for residential projects.
3. Who will be on my project day to day? Is it the owner, a dedicated project manager, or whoever's available?
4. Who are your subcontractors? Are they established licensed relationships or whoever's available when you need them?
5. What does your change order process look like? How are scope changes documented, priced, and approved?
6. What is your payment schedule? Milestone-based payments tied to project completion phases are the standard. Large upfront payments over 30 percent without clear deliverables are a red flag.
7. What permits will you pull? The GC should manage permits and schedule all required inspections.
8. What's your process when you find unexpected conditions during demo? Every renovation uncovers surprises. How the contractor handles them tells you how the project will run.
9. Can you provide references from similar projects in the last two years? Call them. Ask: was the final cost close to the quote? Was the timeline realistic? Would you hire them again?
10. What is your workmanship warranty? Any quality contractor should stand behind their work for at least one year. Get it in writing.
At Vandenberg Construction, the answers to all of these questions are clear, documented, and consistent. Call (208) 582-8733 to start the conversation.