What should a remodeling contract in Colorado include?

A complete Colorado remodeling contract should include: detailed scope of work with materials specified by manufacturer, a milestone-based payment schedule, a written change order process, lien waiver requirements at each payment milestone, a workmanship warranty, and a dispute resolution process.

Is a large upfront payment a red flag?

Yes. A reasonable down payment is 10 to 15 percent of the contract price at signing. Requests for 30 percent or more before any work begins are a red flag. The contractor should be able to mobilize on a standard deposit; a larger request typically indicates a cash flow problem.

What questions reveal the most about a contractor's quality?

The questions that reveal the most are: Who is my PM and how many projects are they managing? Can I visit a current job site? Who specifically does your plumbing and electrical work? How do you handle hidden conditions found during demolition? Contractors who answer these specifically and confidently are typically the ones who deliver.

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

December 30, 2025 • Home Remodeling

These 10 questions surface real operational detail that standard vetting misses, plus what a substantive answer looks like so you can tell the difference.

Most contractor vetting guides give you questions, not the answer key. This list does both: for each question, you will find what a strong, operationally grounded answer looks like and what a concerning one sounds like. DG Home Pro has earned 15 Best of Houzz awards across 10 consecutive years, including Service award recognition from verified homeowner reviews, because we can answer all of these questions specifically and honestly.

DG Home Pro completed kitchen remodel in Aurora, Colorado

1. Who will be my day-to-day point of contact during the project?

Strong answer: The contractor names a specific project manager assigned to your project, describes the communication schedule (weekly updates, a project management portal, or a dedicated phone line), and clarifies who to call for urgent issues. Concerning answer: 'Me' from a principal who is actively selling and managing 15 jobs simultaneously. Principals who are also the PM on dozens of concurrent projects are a consistent source of communication failures.

2. Will you pull a building permit for this project?

Strong answer: Yes, and here is how we handle the permit process in your specific county. Concerning answer: Any version of 'we can do it without a permit' for work that clearly requires one. Skipping permits reduces the contractor's documentation burden while creating legal, insurance, and disclosure liability for you.

3. How do you handle changes to scope once construction starts?

Strong answer: Every scope change requires a written change order with a description of the work added or removed, the cost impact, and the schedule impact. No changed work proceeds without both parties signing. Concerning answer: 'We handle it as we go' or a description of verbal agreements during construction. Undocumented changes are the most common source of contractor disputes.

4. What is your payment schedule structure?

Strong answer: Milestone-based payments: 10 to 15 percent at contract signing, defined payments tied to permit receipt, rough framing, rough mechanicals, drywall complete, and final sign-off. Concerning answer: A large upfront payment (more than 15 to 20 percent before any work begins) or calendar-based draws not tied to construction progress.

DG Home Pro quality kitchen remodel in Aurora, Colorado

5 through 10: The Remaining Six Questions

5. Can I visit a current job site and speak with a current client? A contractor confident in their work connects you with current clients, not just completed projects from years ago.
6. How do you handle moisture or hidden conditions discovered during demolition? Strong answer: documents conditions, presents options and costs within 48 hours, proceeds with a written change order. Concerning answer: vague reassurances with no defined process.
7. Who does your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work? Strong answer: named subcontractors with established long-term relationships. Concerning answer: different subs based on availability.
8. What is your workmanship warranty? A minimum 1-year workmanship warranty with a clear process for reporting and resolving issues after project completion is the professional standard.

How D&G Answers These Questions

D&G Home Pro has earned 15 Best of Houzz awards across 10 consecutive years, placing it in the top 3 percent of home professionals on the world's largest remodeling platform. That track record represents a decade of verified homeowner reviews and recognized design work in this market.

When you meet with D&G, you will meet the project manager assigned to your job, see the permit process explained specifically for your county, receive a proposal with every material specified by manufacturer, and be connected with current clients if you want to talk to someone in the middle of a D&G project right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important question to ask a contractor before hiring?

Who is my dedicated project manager and how many other projects are they managing simultaneously? This question reveals whether your project will have real day-to-day oversight or whether it will be managed reactively by a stretched-thin principal.

How do I know if a Colorado contractor is legitimate?

Verify their DORA licenses for any licensed trades they perform, confirm general liability and workers' compensation insurance, ask for a certificate naming you as additionally insured, and request references from clients whose projects are currently underway.

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