We get called to tear out and redo other contractors' work a lot. Most of the time, it could have been avoided by asking a few questions before signing anything. Here are the ones I'd ask.
1. "Are you insured? Can I see proof?"
This is the first question, every time. If someone gets hurt in your home or something gets damaged, insurance is what protects you. A real contractor will send proof of insurance without any hesitation.
Red flag: they can't show it, won't show it, or say "you don't need that for a job this size."
Sterneberg Construction is fully insured, and we're happy to show proof to anyone who asks.
2. "Will I get a written estimate?"
You should get a written estimate that spells out what's being done, what's included and what it costs. That protects you and the contractor. If it's not in writing, it's easy for the price or the scope to change halfway through.
Red flag: a number scribbled on a business card, a handshake deal, or an estimate so vague you can't tell what you're paying for.
Our estimates are free. After a walkthrough at your home, we send a clear written estimate to your phone or email as a PDF.
3. "How much do you need up front?"
A deposit is normal. It holds your spot on the schedule and covers materials. What isn't normal is paying most or all of the money before any work gets done.
Red flag: a huge deposit, cash only, or pressure to pay in full before the job starts.
Here's exactly what we ask for, so you have something to compare to:
- Most projects: 35% deposit before work begins, 35% at a set point during the project, and the remaining 30% when the job is complete.
- Smaller jobs: 50% to start and 50% on completion.
You never pay for the whole job before it's done.
4. "What are you using for waterproofing?"
This is the big one for any shower. Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water gets through grout, and what's behind the tile decides whether your shower lasts for years or starts rotting the wall in two.
Red flag: "the tile is waterproof," or a bid that's way cheaper than everyone else's. Cheap bids usually get cheap by skipping steps you can't see.
We've torn out plenty of showers where this step was skipped or done wrong. Every shower we build gets waterproofed on every wall, the floor, the niches, the bench and every corner and seam before any tile goes on.
5. "Who will actually be working in my home?"
Some companies send a salesperson to sell the job and then hand it off to whoever's available. Ask who will be there day to day and who you call with questions.
At Sterneberg Construction, I'm on every job. For plumbing and electrical, we do some of the work ourselves and bring in trusted trade partners when needed, and you'll always have one point of contact from start to finish.
6. "How long will it take, and what's the schedule?"
A good contractor can tell you about how long the job will take before it starts. Most full bathroom remodels take us 4 to 6 weeks from demo to final walkthrough, and you'll know the schedule before we begin.
Red flag: no timeline at all, or a promise that sounds too fast to be true for the size of the job.
7. "Do you pull permits?"
Some projects require a permit and some don't. A contractor should know which is which and handle it. We handle permits when a project requires them.
Red flag: "we don't bother with permits" or asking you to pull the permit yourself for their work.
8. "What happens if something goes wrong after you leave?"
Ask whether the contractor stands behind their work, what's covered and for how long. Get it in writing. A contractor who's confident in their work won't mind putting it on paper.
9. "Can I see your work and your reviews?"
Look at photos of jobs they've actually done, not stock photos, and read their reviews on Google and Facebook. Pay attention to what people say about communication and cleanup, not just the finished product.
You can see our project gallery and what homeowners say in our Google reviews.
10. "How do you handle dust and keep my house livable?"
Remodeling is messy. Ask how they protect your floors and keep dust out of the rest of the house. We run an air scrubber on every job and clean up as we go, so your home stays livable while we work.
The red flags, all in one place
- Can't or won't show proof of insurance
- No written estimate, or one too vague to understand
- Asks for most or all of the money up front
- Says the tile is waterproof, or can't explain their waterproofing
- A price way below everyone else's with no clear reason
- No timeline, or one that's too good to be true
- Pressure to decide today
My one tip
Get at least two or three estimates, and compare what's included, not just the price. If one bid is much cheaper, ask what's different. Usually the answer is something you'd never see until it fails.
Common questions
How much of a deposit should a contractor ask for?
A deposit is normal, but you shouldn't pay most or all of the job up front. We ask for 35% to start, 35% partway through and 30% at completion on most projects, and 50/50 on smaller jobs.
Should I always get a written estimate?
Yes. A written estimate spells out what's included and what it costs, and protects both you and the contractor. Ours are free and come as a PDF after a walkthrough.
Why does waterproofing matter so much in a shower?
Tile and grout aren't waterproof. Water gets through grout, so the waterproofing behind the tile is what protects your walls and floor. We've torn out plenty of showers where it was skipped or done wrong.
Will the owner be on my job?
With us, yes. I'm on every job, and you'll have one point of contact from start to finish.
Ready to talk about your project?
Ask me any of these questions. I'll answer every one. Request a free walkthrough, read what to expect during a bathroom remodel, or browse our recent work.
