12 Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any Minnesota Contractor

Start simple. Before you talk about money or timing, ask them to explain the job in their own words: what they’ll do, in what order, and what the end result will look like.

You’re listening for clear, confident, plain-English explanations—not a cloud of jargon or “don’t worry about it, we’ll handle everything.”

This question forces everyone to get specific. Many bad experiences come from homeowners assuming certain things are included—like permits, haul-away, or fixing damage—and finding out later they aren’t.

Different trades will answer this differently, but a good contractor will be able to name the edges of the job: what’s inside the price and what’s clearly on the outside.

Hidden rot, bad wiring, soft concrete, surprise code issues—almost every trade runs into “extras” once the job starts. The difference between contractors is how they handle those moments.

You want a clear process: they pause, explain the issue, give options and prices in writing, and get your approval before moving ahead.

Sometimes the person giving the quote is the same person doing the work. Sometimes they’re not. Neither is automatically good or bad—but you deserve to know who’s showing up.

Ask whether they use their own employees, regular subcontractors, or random day-labor. Ask who supervises the job and who you talk to if there’s a problem during the work.

If you only ask one “paperwork” question, make it this one. A reputable contractor in any trade should expect it and have the info ready.

In Minnesota, some types of work require specific licenses or registrations. Others may not—but either way, you want a legitimate business behind the person on your property, with current insurance that matches that business.

Different trades structure payments differently, but the logic should always make sense to you. A fair schedule shares the risk: you’re never massively ahead or massively behind.

Ask how much is due up front, when the next payments are due, and what has to be completed at each stage. Also ask what forms of payment they accept.

You’re trying to see if they’ve actually thought through the logistics: where they’ll park, where materials go, how they enter the house, when they’ll start and stop, and how they’ll keep things safe and as clean as possible.

Every trade creates some disruption. The pros know that and are upfront about noise, dust, access, and how they’ll respect your space and neighbors.

Trucks, equipment, ladders, materials—almost every trade has the potential to crack concrete, tear up grass, scuff siding, or bump into something they didn’t mean to.

Ask what they do to protect your property up front, and what the process is if there’s damage: who documents it, who pays for it, and how they make it right.

You’re not just paying for the job—you’re paying for what happens if something isn’t quite right afterwards. Warranty terms will look different project to project, but there should be something in writing that covers at least a reasonable window.

Ask whether the warranty covers labor, materials, or both, and how you’re supposed to reach them if you need help later.

You don’t need a huge portfolio, but you do want proof they’ve successfully done work like yours in the real world—and recently.

This could be photos, addresses (for exterior work), or even a past client willing to take a quick call. You’re looking for real, local, similar projects—not just generic stock images or jobs from ten years ago in another state.

This question tells you a lot about their communication style. Problems are much easier to fix when homeowners speak up early and contractors respond well.

Ask who you should contact, how quickly you can expect a response, and how they like to document changes or concerns (text, email, written notes, etc.).

This last question flips the script and gives the contractor a chance to be a human, not just a salesperson. Often, the best information comes out here.

A good contractor might mention realistic downsides, possible delays, or small risks that are worth knowing up front. Someone who only wants a signature will usually keep it surface level.