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Questions To Ask Before Paying A Contractor

Before each payment, especially the last one, run these.

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What to check on the estimate

Questions worth asking

Run your own quote

Paste or upload the estimate. The free scan lists the sections it found, the sections that look missing or unclear, and a question list you can send to the contractor. It does not tell you whether a price is fair, because that is not something a document review can answer.

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Frequently asked

Why hold back a final amount?

It keeps the last small items from being abandoned. Retainage is a normal, mutual protection.

What is a lien waiver?

A signed acknowledgement of payment from subs and suppliers, which reduces the risk of a claim against your property.

Related guides

Free checklists

Printable checklists you can take into the conversation.

Free checklists
Educational checklist only. Not legal, engineering, pricing, contractor-vetting, or building-code advice. This does not decide whether a price is fair or which contractor to hire. Verify everything with your own licensed professional and your local building department.

Independent tool. No contractor marketplace, no lead selling, no referral fees. Payment is not enabled, so nothing on this site can charge you.