5 Questions You Should Always Ask Before Hiring a Service Provider

Most people focus on price when comparing vendors — and that's exactly the wrong place to start. Price tells you very little about whether a company will actually deliver. Here are the five questions that will.

1. Are you licensed and insured — and can I see proof?

Any legitimate service provider will answer this with a yes and immediately offer to send documentation. If the answer involves hesitation, excuses, or "we're in the process of renewing," walk away.

What you're specifically looking for: a current state license for the type of work they'll be performing, and a general liability insurance certificate with your name added as an additional insured. The second part matters because it protects you if something goes wrong on your property.

2. Can you give me a written estimate — before the work starts?

A verbal estimate is worth nothing. A written estimate protects both you and the contractor — it defines the scope, the timeline, and the price. Any company that resists putting things in writing is a company that doesn't intend to stick to what was agreed.

What the estimate should include: a description of the work, materials to be used, labor cost, total price, estimated start and completion dates, and payment terms. If any of these are missing, ask for them.

3. Who exactly will be doing the work?

"Our team" is not an answer. You need to know whether the people who show up are employees of the company or subcontractors. If they're subcontractors, ask whether those subs are licensed and insured independently. Ask whether the person giving you the estimate will be on-site during the job.

The reason this matters: companies that subcontract heavily often have no control over quality. The award-winning firm you hired may send someone entirely different to your home or office — and that person may not share the same standards.

4. What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask specifically about their warranty or guarantee policy. What does it cover? How long does it last? What's the process for reporting an issue? Do they come back at no charge, or is there a fee?

A company with confidence in its work will have a clear, written answer to this question. A company that hedges or gives you vague assurances ("we always take care of our customers") is signaling that disputes will be uncomfortable.

5. Can I speak to two or three recent clients?

Not testimonials on their website. Not reviews on their own platform. Actual client references — people you can call or email and ask real questions. Any company that can't provide this should raise a red flag.

When you call the references, ask three things: Did they stay on budget? Did they finish on time? Would you hire them again without hesitation? The third question is the one that matters most.

Price matters, of course. But it's the last thing you should evaluate — after you've verified licensing, gotten a written estimate, understood who will do the work, confirmed the guarantee, and heard from real past clients. Do it in that order, and you'll make a much better hiring decision every time.