How to Choose What to Do Before Your Project Starts
A complete pre-project checklist so day one goes smoothly and there are no surprises along the way.
A complete pre-project checklist so day one goes smoothly and there are no surprises along the way.
What to Check Before You Hire
A complete pre-project checklist so day one goes smoothly and there are no surprises along the way.
1. Clear the work area
Move furniture, vehicles, and personal items out of the work zone before the crew arrives. This alone prevents most first-day delays and keeps your belongings safe from dust and debris. If the project touches multiple rooms or the exterior, ask your company for a specific list of what needs to be cleared and by when.
2. Confirm permits before work begins
Ask your company directly who is responsible for pulling any required permits, and confirm it's been done before work starts. Unpermitted work can cause real problems later, especially when you go to sell your home — buyers' inspectors routinely flag unpermitted work, which can delay or derail a sale.
3. Set expectations in writing
Document daily work hours, which days crews will be on site, who your single point of contact is, how debris and cleanup will be handled, and where workers can park or access water/power. What happens on days with bad weather, if the project is outdoors, is worth clarifying too.
4. Document the "before" condition
Take dated photos of the work area, and anything adjacent to it, before work starts. If any dispute comes up about existing damage, this protects both you and the company. It only takes a few minutes and can save weeks of back-and-forth later.
5. Structure payments around milestones
Avoid paying the full amount upfront. A standard structure ties payments to project milestones — a deposit to begin, a payment at the halfway point, and a final payment on completion and your sign-off. This is standard practice among reputable companies and protects you if a company underperforms or stops responding.
6. Plan for the unexpected
Older homes especially tend to reveal surprises once walls or floors are opened. Having a contingency budget of 10-15%, and a clear understanding with your contractor about how unexpected issues will be communicated and priced, avoids conflict mid-project.
Red Flags to Watch For
Any one of these on its own isn't necessarily disqualifying, but more than one together is a real signal to look elsewhere.
- No written contract or scope of work before the deposit is requested.
- Vague answers about who is responsible for permits.
- No clear point of contact named for questions during the project.
- Reluctance to let you take before-photos of the work area.
- A payment schedule that front-loads most of the cost before any real work has happened.
What It Typically Costs
Knowing the general price range helps you spot a quote that's suspiciously low (often a red flag on its own) or confidently high.
Dated before-photos and a written scope of work cost nothing but a few minutes, and they're the single easiest way to protect yourself if any disagreement comes up later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I clear the work area?
Aim for the day before work starts, so there's no scramble the morning the crew arrives.
What if my contractor says permits aren't needed?
Ask them to confirm that in writing, and consider a quick call to your city's building department to double check for anything structural, electrical, or plumbing-related.
What's a normal payment schedule?
A common structure is a deposit (often 10-30%), a milestone payment partway through, and a final payment on completion, though exact terms vary by project size and company.
Should I be home during the entire project?
Not necessarily, though being reachable and available for scheduled check-ins is important, especially for decisions that come up mid-project.
How do I handle unexpected issues discovered mid-project?
A written change-order process, where any added cost or scope is documented and approved before proceeding, protects both you and the contractor.
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