Hiring a contractor in New York is one of the biggest financial decisions a homeowner makes. And yet, most people sign contracts without asking the right questions — and some pay dearly for it.

This What to Ask a Contractor blog post gives you the exact questions to ask before any money changes hands. Whether you’re hiring for a kitchen remodel, a full renovation, a roof replacement, or a new addition, these questions apply.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured in New York State?

This is non-negotiable. In New York, contractors working on most residential projects must hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license issued by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), or appropriate state licensing depending on the borough.

Ask for:

Workers’ compensation certificate — required if they have employees

Their license number — then verify it online at nyc.gov

Proof of general liability insurance — minimum $1 million per occurrence

An unlicensed contractor working on your home voids your homeowner’s insurance protections and exposes you to personal liability if a worker is injured on your property. Albatros Construction is fully licensed and insured — we provide documentation before any project begins.

2. Will You Handle Permits and Inspections?

In New York City and Staten Island specifically, most significant renovation work requires permits from the NYC Department of Buildings. This includes:

Structural changes

Additions of any kind

Electrical upgrades

Plumbing work

Roofing on certain structures

Ask the contractor: Who files for permits? Who is responsible for scheduling inspections? Who pays permit fees?

Hire a contractor who takes full ownership of this process. Be wary of contractors who tell you permits “aren’t needed” for work that clearly requires them — this puts you at serious legal and financial risk when you eventually sell your home.

3. What Does Your Home Improvement Contractor Estimate Include (and Exclude)?

Lowball estimates are a classic contractor tactic. The number looks attractive until the project starts and unexpected “extras” appear on every invoice.

Ask for a written, itemized estimate that specifies:

Timeline with start and projected completion date

All labor costs

All materials — brands, grades, quantities

Permit and inspection fees

Demolition and debris removal

Get multiple estimates. If one is dramatically lower than others, ask why. The answer will be revealing.

4. Who Will Actually Do the Work?

Many contractors in New York operate as general contractors who subcontract all the actual labor. This isn’t inherently bad — it’s common and sometimes necessary for specialized trades like electrical or plumbing.

But you should know:

Is your contractor responsible for the subs’ work quality?

Who are the subcontractors? Are they licensed?

Will the contractor be on-site during work, or only at the start and end?

At Albatros Construction, our project managers are present throughout every project. We use a consistent team of licensed trade professionals and stand behind all work, regardless of who performed it.

5. What’s the Payment Schedule?

Never pay more than 30% upfront. A typical payment schedule for a renovation in New York should look something like:

10–30% at contract signing

Progress payments tied to specific milestones (framing complete, rough-in inspected, etc.)

Final 10–15% at completion and your satisfaction

If a contractor asks for 50% or more upfront, walk away. This is a major red flag in the New York market.

6. What’s Your Warranty on Labor?

Materials come with manufacturer warranties. Labor doesn’t — unless your contractor provides one.

Ask: If something fails within a year of completion, what’s your process? Do you warranty your work in writing?

A contractor who won’t back their work in writing is a contractor who knows the work may not hold up. Get it in the contract.

the reasoning. Be wary of any contractor who immediately recommends full replacement on a young roof, or who recommends repair on an old, extensively damaged system just to keep the job smaller.

7. Can You Provide References From Recent Similar Projects?

Referrals are the single best predictor of a good contractor experience. Ask for at least 3 references from projects similar to yours, completed in the last 12–18 months.

When you call them, ask:

• Did the project finish on time and on budget?
• How did they handle unexpected issues?
• Was communication good throughout?
• Would you hire them again?

Also check their Google reviews, Trustpilot, and HomeAdvisor ratings. Look for patterns in the feedback, not just the star count.

The Contractor Checklist: What to Ask a Contractor Before Signing

NYC Home Improvement Contractor license verified

General liability insurance certificate received

Workers’ compensation certificate received

Itemized written estimate in hand

Payment schedule agrees with industry norms

References called and verified

Permit responsibility clearly stated in contract

Labor warranty in writing

Albatros Construction checks every box on this list. Call us at +1 718-688-1919 for a free estimate — we’ll send you our license and insurance documentation before our first meeting.