Before You Sign: One-Page Pre-Hire Checklist for Minnesota Homeowners
Right before you say “yes” and sign, this one-page checklist helps you slow down, double-check the contractor, and make sure the basics are locked in: paperwork, money, schedule, and what happens if something goes sideways.
You’ve met the contractor. You like them. The quote looks okay. They’re ready to start “as soon as you sign.” This is the exact moment when a lot of Minnesota homeowners rush—and later regret it.
Instead of guessing, use this simple pre-hire checklist to hit pause, verify the important stuff, and make sure you’re hiring a real, qualified business—not just a truck, a logo, and a promise.
You can literally print this, keep it on one page, and walk through it line by line before you put your name on anything.
Confirm who you’re actually hiring (name, business, and footprint)
Before you sign, you should know exactly who is on the hook for this project—not just “Mike the concrete guy” or “Northwoods Roofing.”
On your checklist, write down:
• Contractor’s full legal business name (LLC, Inc., etc.)
• Owner’s or main contact’s full name and cell number
• Business address and main office number
• Their website and at least one place they show local work (Google, Facebook, etc.)
All of that should match across the contract, quote, website, and what they told you. If the business name on the contract doesn’t match the name on the truck or the site, slow down and ask questions.
Verify licenses, registration, and good-standing status
In Minnesota, certain work (like residential building, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more) requires specific licenses or registration. You need to know whether your project is one of those.
On your checklist, confirm:
• If this type of work requires a license or registration in Minnesota
• Their license or registration number is on the contract or written estimate
• That number is active and in good standing when you look it up yourself
• The business name on the license matches the name on your contract
If they dance around the license question, say it’s “under someone else,” or ask you to pull the permits in your name, that’s usually a hard pause moment.
Get real proof of insurance sent from their agent
“We’re insured” doesn’t mean anything until you see it in black and white from their insurance agent—not a photo buried in their phone from three years ago.
On your checklist, look for:
• A current certificate of liability insurance sent to you or your email
• The contractor’s business name on the certificate matching your contract
• Policy expiration dates that go well beyond your project window
• Evidence of workers’ compensation if they have employees
If they keep promising to “get that to you later” but still want you to sign now, don’t sign. If something goes wrong on your property and they’re not properly insured, you can end up in the middle of the mess.
Make sure the scope, materials, and price are crystal clear
You should be able to read the contract and know exactly what you’re getting—not just “new roof” or “kitchen remodel.”
Your pre-hire checklist should confirm:
• A written scope of work in plain language
• Specific materials and brands (not just “premium window” or “good shingles”)
• What is included and what is clearly not included
• A total contract price and how that price could change (if at all)
If the contract is vague and they say “don’t worry, we’ll take care of you,” that’s not a plan—that’s a risk. Your future arguments will happen anywhere the paperwork is fuzzy.
Tie money to milestones—not handshakes and “we’ll see”
A solid contractor isn’t afraid to connect payments to actual work being completed. You should never be massively ahead of the work with your money.
Before you sign, check that:
• The deposit amount is reasonable for the size of the job
• Progress payments are tied to clear milestones (demo done, rough-in done, etc.)
• The final payment comes after punch list and cleanup, not halfway through
• There’s a written process for extra work and change orders before you’re billed
If everything is “pay half upfront and half when we’re done” on a big, complex project, that’s not enough detail. The bigger the job, the more you want staged payments.
Lock in expectations: schedule, access, and communication
Even if the work is excellent, a project can feel like a disaster if no one knows when crews are coming, who’s on site, or how to reach the boss when something feels off.
On your checklist, get clear on:
• A realistic start window and estimated duration
• Typical work hours and which days crews will be there
• Where they’ll park, store materials, and put dumpsters if needed
• Who you contact first if there’s a concern (and how quickly they aim to respond)
Good contractors want this written down too—it prevents headaches on both sides.
Get the “after” plan in writing: punch list, warranty, and follow-up
Hiring isn’t just about getting work started—it’s about what happens once the dust settles.
Before you sign, your checklist should confirm:
• There’s a plan for a final walkthrough and punch list
• You know how long their warranty lasts and what it covers
• How to request warranty work, and how quickly they aim to respond
• Whether they provide any written care instructions or maintenance tips
If they act surprised that you’re asking about warranty or follow-up, that’s another signal they may be focused on getting the check—not the long-term relationship.
Get backup before you sign that contract.
Pair this pre-hire checklist with Minnesota Contractor Check’s verification tools so you’re not guessing about licenses, insurance, or reputation. Slow it down now so you don’t have to fix expensive problems later.
- ✓ Insurance, license & registration checks
- ✓ Plain-English review of quotes & contracts
- ✓ Red-flag spotting before you sign