We've heard too many stories — from homeowners and from their neighbors — about a contractor who stopped answering the phone, left a job half done, or turned a six-month build into two years of excuses. Those stories usually have one thing in common: nobody asked the hard questions up front. Here are the seven we'd want you to ask us, or anyone else. (Our answers are on the about page.)
1. Are you licensed and insured — and can I see it?
Not "are you" — "can I see it." A licensed contractor is accountable to the state. An insured one means that if someone gets hurt on your property or something gets damaged, it's covered by their policy, not your homeowner's. Anyone who gets cagey about showing paperwork is telling you something.
2. Who will actually be on my job site?
Some outfits sell the job and then hand it to whoever's available. Ask who runs the crew day to day, whether the framing is done in-house or subbed out, and who you call when you have a question. You want one name and one number that will still be good in month four.
3. Can I talk to two or three people you've built for?
References are the closest thing to a test drive. Call them. Ask whether the job finished on schedule, whether the price held, and whether the contractor still answered the phone once the last check cleared. If a contractor can't give you references, ask yourself why. (Ask us for ours.)
4. How does payment work?
This is the big one. Understand exactly when money is due and what it's tied to. A schedule that follows the work — so payments line up with real progress you can see — protects you. A big deposit with vague promises about the rest is how families get burned.
5. What exactly is included — in writing?
A verbal "we'll take care of it" is worth nothing once the drywall is up. Your estimate should spell out what's included: site work, foundation, framing, roofing, mechanicals, finishes, cleanup. That's what "start to finish" means on our new construction page. If something isn't listed, assume it isn't included and ask.
6. What's a realistic timeline, and what could change it?
Beware the contractor who promises the fastest date. Weather, material deliveries and inspections all move schedules, and an honest builder will tell you so. What you're really listening for is how they handle changes: will they tell you before it happens, or will you find out by driving past an empty lot?
7. How will you keep me updated?
Communication is half of a smooth build — it's one of the promises on our home page. Ask how often you'll hear from them, and how — a call, a text, a weekly walkthrough. Then pay attention to how quickly they respond while you're still just a lead. It doesn't get better after the contract is signed.
Ask us all seven
We built C&M Innovations to be the answer to these questions: licensed and insured, our own crew from start to finish, references on request, and a phone that gets answered. If you're planning a custom home or a remodel anywhere in the River Valley, reach out — and bring your questions.