Choosing a remodeling contractor is about more than finding someone whose photos look good online or whose first estimate is the lowest. You are choosing the person or company responsible for coordinating materials, crews, permits, inspections, schedules, payments, changes, and the condition of your home while the work is underway.
The best contractor for your project should be able to explain the work clearly, provide a detailed written estimate, show that the business is properly qualified for the work, identify who will supervise the project, and put the important promises in a contract. A good conversation before signing can also reveal whether the contractor's process fits the way you want to make decisions.
This guide is for homeowners planning kitchens, bathrooms, decks, basements, additions, painting, or larger interior and exterior renovations in Oakland and Livingston County. It is not legal advice or a guarantee of a contractor's performance. Use it as a checklist, then verify current licensing, insurance, permits, and contract terms for your own project.
Start with a clear project description
Contractor selection is easier when you know what you are asking each company to price. You do not need every cabinet color or tile selected before the first conversation, but you should be able to describe the result you want.
Prepare:
- The room or outdoor area involved.
- The problems you want to solve.
- The layout changes you are considering.
- The materials or finish level you prefer.
- The features you want to keep.
- Your desired start window and any deadline.
- Photos, sketches, inspection notes, or inspiration images.
- Known conditions such as water damage, uneven floors, outdated wiring, or drainage concerns.
For a kitchen, describe how you cook, store food, use appliances, and move through the room. For a bathroom, identify storage, shower or tub needs, ventilation concerns, and accessibility goals. For a deck, explain how you want to use the space, whether stairs or multiple levels are important, and whether the project is a repair, replacement, or new build.
A clear project description helps every contractor respond to the same basic scope. It also makes it easier to see whether one proposal is missing work that another proposal includes.
Verify the contractor's Michigan license
Before comparing a contractor's personality or estimate, verify that the contractor is properly licensed for the work. Michigan's Helpful Information for Homeowners says contractors offering work totaling $600 or more in labor and materials must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, subject to applicable exceptions and current rules.
The same guidance explains that a Residential Builder license allows a contractor to build a complete residential structure and perform maintenance and alteration work, while a Maintenance & Alteration license applies to one or more listed trades. The type of work on your project matters, so ask the contractor which license applies and what trade or scope it covers.
Ask for:
- The contractor's legal business name.
- The individual builder or salesperson's name.
- The current Michigan license number.
- The business address and phone number.
- The trade or scope associated with the license, when relevant.
Then verify the information through Michigan's official license lookup or the links provided by LARA. A license check does not guarantee a perfect project. It helps confirm that the person or company can legally offer the work under the applicable state requirements and allows you to look for current status or disciplinary information.
Be cautious if a contractor refuses to provide a license number, tells you that licensing does not matter for a substantial remodeling project, or asks you to sign before you have time to verify the business.
Ask what the contractor's insurance actually covers
“We are insured” is not a complete answer. Michigan consumer guidance warns homeowners to ask what the insurance covers because a contractor's insurance may relate to injuries involving the contractor or employees and may not automatically cover poor workmanship, incomplete work, or every type of property damage.
Ask for information about:
- General liability coverage.
- Workers' compensation coverage, where applicable.
- Coverage for subcontractors.
- The policy holder's legal business name.
- Policy dates and whether coverage will remain active during the project.
- What happens if a subcontractor causes damage or is injured.
You do not need to become an insurance expert before hiring a remodeler. You do need enough information to identify what the contractor says is covered and what questions should be answered by the insurer or an attorney.
If the contractor will use subcontractors, ask whether those companies carry their own insurance and how the contractor verifies it. Put the answer in the project file.
Look for experience with projects like yours
A contractor who builds decks may not approach a full kitchen renovation the same way a design-focused kitchen remodeler does. A contractor who handles cosmetic painting may not be the right fit for structural changes, plumbing relocation, or a basement project with moisture and egress questions.
Ask about similar work:
- How many projects like yours has the contractor completed recently?
- Has the team worked in homes of similar age or construction?
- Who will perform the specialized portions of the work?
- What problems are common in this type of project?
- What does the contractor check before finalizing the estimate?
- Can the contractor show completed projects or provide references for similar work?
You are not looking only for a company that has used the same materials. You are looking for evidence that the contractor understands the sequence, decisions, risks, and finishing details your project requires.
Contact references with specific questions
References are most useful when you ask questions that go beyond “Did you like the result?” Michigan homeowner guidance recommends getting references from contractors under consideration and contacting previous customers before signing a costly construction contract.
Ask references:
- Was the written scope clear?
- Did the final project match the estimate and contract?
- How did the contractor handle changes or hidden conditions?
- Were the work area and the rest of the home protected?
- Did the crew communicate schedule changes?
- Were subcontractors coordinated effectively?
- How was the punch list handled?
- Did the contractor return calls after final payment?
- Were there unexpected charges, and were they documented?
Ask for references from projects with similar complexity, not only the contractor's favorite showcase project. A homeowner who completed a small bathroom renovation may offer different insight from one who lived through a major kitchen or addition project.
Compare written estimates on the same scope
Do not choose a contractor based only on a verbal number or a one-page total. A useful estimate should help you understand the work, materials, assumptions, allowances, exclusions, schedule, and payment expectations.
Review whether the estimate identifies:
- Demolition and disposal.
- Materials and product specifications.
- Labor and subcontractor work.
- Permits, inspections, and drawings.
- Protection for floors, walls, furniture, landscaping, and walkways.
- Delivery and material storage.
- Cleanup and final disposal.
- Allowances for items not yet selected.
- Work that is specifically excluded.
- Conditions that could create additional work.
Two bids can have very different totals because one includes a higher product allowance, more preparation, more finishing, or more project protection. The Michigan remodeling estimate comparison guide provides a worksheet-style way to compare those details before you decide.
If the estimate is unclear, ask for a revised version rather than trying to remember a verbal promise. The goal is not to make the document unnecessarily complicated. It is to make sure both sides are talking about the same work.
Ask how permits and inspections will be handled
Permit responsibility should be settled before construction begins. Michigan's Building Permit Information page says an application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency before construction of a building or structure. The appropriate agency can vary by state, county, or local jurisdiction.
Ask:
- Which permits are expected for the project?
- Does the scope include building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work?
- Who will prepare and submit the applications?
- Who pays permit and inspection fees?
- Who responds to corrections or plan-review questions?
- Who schedules inspections?
- What documents will you receive at closeout?
For a deck in Oakland or Livingston County, local jurisdiction, structural work, zoning, and waterfront conditions can affect the permit path. See Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Michigan? for the questions to ask before construction.
Do not assume that a contractor saying “we build to code” means the permit process is included. Ask what is being submitted, which approvals are needed, and who is responsible for completing the inspections.
Read the contract before you sign it
An estimate explains a proposed price. The contract explains what both sides have agreed to do. Michigan LARA guidance recommends a written agreement with detailed job specifications, materials, costs, start and completion dates, required permits, insurance, warranty, cleanup, payment terms, and information about the contractor.
Before signing, check that the contract includes:
- The legal name and contact information of the business.
- The contractor or salesperson's license information.
- A detailed scope of work.
- Materials, brands, models, grades, colors, and finishes where relevant.
- Start and completion expectations.
- The payment schedule and triggers for each payment.
- Permit and inspection responsibilities.
- A written change-order process.
- Allowances and how overages or credits are handled.
- Cleanup, disposal, and property protection.
- Warranty terms and exclusions.
- The process for addressing incomplete or defective work.
- Cancellation, delay, and dispute provisions.
Read every page, including the fine print. Do not sign a document with blank spaces or undefined selections. If a large or complicated project includes terms you do not understand, consider asking an attorney to review the agreement before you sign it.
Michigan guidance also says changes and revisions should be dated and initialed by both parties, and homeowners should receive a complete copy of the contract with the changes noted.
Understand change orders before the project starts
Remodeling can reveal conditions that were not visible during the estimate. The contract should explain how additional work is documented and approved.
Ask the contractor:
- What counts as a change to the original scope?
- Will you receive photos and a written explanation?
- How are labor and materials priced?
- Is there an hourly rate or unit price for common additional work?
- Who can approve a change?
- Will a change affect the schedule as well as the price?
- What happens if a product is unavailable and a substitute is needed?
Do not treat every change as a warning sign. A clear change-order process is a sign that the contractor expects existing homes to contain unknowns and has a system for handling them. The concern is an unexplained price change, a verbal promise that never appears in writing, or pressure to approve extra work without enough information.
Ask who will manage the project every day
The person who prepares the estimate may not be the person who supervises the crew. Ask who will be your day-to-day contact and how communication will work.
Clarify:
- Who is the project manager or site supervisor?
- Who coordinates subcontractors?
- Who answers questions about selections and changes?
- How often will you receive schedule updates?
- How will urgent issues be handled?
- Who protects the home at the end of each workday?
- Who performs the final walkthrough?
The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers checklist also recommends asking about similar experience, insurance, written estimates and change orders, references, daily supervision, worker and subcontractor roles, home protection, communication, and warranties.
Review the payment schedule and warranty
The payment schedule should match project progress. Ask what each payment covers and what must be complete before the next payment is due. Michigan consumer guidance warns homeowners against paying in full up front and recommends payments as parts of the job are completed.
Ask:
- What is due when the contract is signed?
- What payments are tied to ordering materials or completing milestones?
- How are approved changes billed?
- What amount remains until completion and final inspection?
- What documents are supplied with final payment?
Then review the warranty. A warranty should state whether it covers labor, materials, or both; how long coverage lasts; what is excluded; and how to request service. A manufacturer's product warranty is not automatically the same as a contractor workmanship warranty.
Watch for pressure and missing information
Pause if a contractor:
- Demands an immediate signature or “today only” pricing.
- Refuses to provide a detailed written estimate.
- Will not identify materials, allowances, or exclusions.
- Asks for full payment before work begins.
- Tells you to obtain permits without explaining why.
- Will not provide license or insurance information.
- Cannot identify who will supervise the project.
- Changes the price verbally but refuses to document it.
- Gives a much lower estimate without explaining the scope difference.
Michigan's Attorney General advises homeowners to resist high-pressure tactics, get estimates in writing, verify licensing and insurance, obtain references, and avoid allowing work to begin without a signed contract. Read the Building and Remodeling Advice for Homeowners before signing a major project.
Use a simple interview scorecard
After each contractor meeting, record the same answers:
- License verified: yes or no.
- Insurance information received: yes or no.
- Similar project experience: clear or unclear.
- Written scope: detailed or vague.
- Materials and allowances: identified or missing.
- Permits and inspections: assigned or unclear.
- Daily supervisor: identified or not identified.
- Schedule: milestones provided or only a finish promise.
- Payment schedule: tied to progress or front-loaded.
- Change-order process: written or verbal.
- Warranty: specific or vague.
- References: provided or missing.
- Communication style: responsive or pressured.
The scorecard helps you remember the whole process instead of choosing based on the strongest first impression. It also shows which questions need an answer before a contractor can be compared fairly.
Choose the contractor whose process you understand
The right remodeling contractor is not defined by a single number, a polished photo, or a confident promise. Look for a company that can explain the scope, verify its qualifications, answer insurance and permit questions, provide a detailed estimate and contract, describe communication and supervision, and document changes as the project develops.
All American Remod serves homeowners across Oakland and Livingston County with kitchen, bathroom, deck, and interior and exterior remodeling services. Review interior and exterior renovation services, kitchen remodeling services, and bathroom remodeling services, then request a free estimate with the project details you want included in the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a remodeling contractor's Michigan license?
Ask for the legal business name, individual builder or salesperson name, and current license number. Verify the information through Michigan's official licensing resources and confirm that the license covers the type of work being offered.
What insurance should a remodeling contractor have?
Ask for information about general liability, workers' compensation where applicable, and subcontractor coverage. Also ask what the policy covers because “insured” does not automatically mean every workmanship problem, incomplete job, or property issue is covered.
Should I get more than one remodeling estimate?
Yes, comparing written estimates can help you understand differences in scope, materials, allowances, permits, schedules, payment terms, and exclusions. Michigan homeowner guidance recommends getting two or three written estimates and comparing the services and materials with the price.
Who is responsible for remodeling permits?
The responsibility should be stated in the written contract. Ask which permits and inspections apply, who submits applications, who pays the fees, who responds to corrections, and who provides final approval documents. Requirements vary by project and local enforcing agency.
What should be in a remodeling contract?
A contract should identify the parties, scope, materials, costs, start and completion expectations, permits, insurance, warranty, cleanup, payment schedule, and the process for changes. Read the complete agreement and make sure revisions are dated and included in the copy you receive.
Is a contractor's license a guarantee of good workmanship?
No. License verification is one part of due diligence. Also compare the written scope, check references, ask about insurance and supervision, review the contract, and make sure the contractor's process matches the project you are planning.