Homeowner Quick Tips for Hiring a Pro

As a homeowner, you’ll eventually need to hire a pro, whether it’s for repairs, maintenance, or an upgrade. You don’t have to be an expert in plumbing, roofing, or pest control to make a smart choice. You just need a simple system that helps you spot quality, avoid surprises, and feel confident before you sign anything.

Below is our go-to “5-Question Contractor Check”. You can use this check whether you’re hiring a plumber, roofer, home inspector, electrician, HVAC tech, pest company, or general contractor. Questions are simple, upfront and protect your time, money and stress.

The 5-Question Contractor Check

1) Are you licensed and insured for this job?

This is non-negotiable. Licensing requirements vary by trade and location, but you should always confirm:

• legally allowed to do the work, and
  
  

• carry liability insurance (and workers’ comp if they have employees)

Don’t feel awkward asking. Pros hear this all the time, and the good ones are happy to share proof. You can also use the Maryland Department of Labor website (https://labor.maryland.gov/pq/) to verify the status of certain licensees. 

2) Can you share 2–3 recent references?

Ask:

• “Do you have a few clients from the last 60–90 days I can contact?”
  
  

• “Any projects similar to mine?”

When you call references, ask:

• Did they show up when they said they would?
  
  

• Was the estimate accurate?
  
  

• Did the job site stay reasonably clean?
  
  

• How did they handle surprises or changes?

3) What’s included—and what’s excluded—in the quote?

Ask for a written estimate that clearly states:

• materials included (brand/grade if relevant)
  
  

• labor scope
  
  

• cleanup and disposal
  
  

• permit responsibility (if applicable)
  
  

• what would change the price

4) What’s the timeline, and who will be on-site?

• Timeline: start date, daily work window, and target completion date
  
  

• Who: the actual person doing the work and who to contact if issues pop up

5) What warranty do you provide and does it include labor and material?

Many products have a manufacturer's warranty, but you also want to know what the company stands behind.

Ask:

• “What’s your labor warranty?”
  
  

• “If something fails in 30/60/90 days, what’s the process?”
  
  

• “Do you put the warranty in writing?”

Bonus info

• Get at least two or three quotes for larger jobs.
  
  

• Be cautious with full upfront payment. A reasonable deposit is normal; paying everything before work begins is not.
  
  

• Trust the communication. If it’s difficult to get clear answers now, it rarely gets better after you’ve paid a deposit.

 Want my trusted local list?

I keep a list of reliable home professionals—plumbers, roofers, pest control companies, inspectors, HVAC technicians, electricians, and more — based on firsthand experience and client feedback.

If you’d like our list, reach out and tell us what you need and where you are located. We are happy to share a few names to get you started.

Polaris Home Team
Call/Text: 410-920-4760