Skip to Content
chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up chevron-right chevron-left arrow-back star phone quote checkbox-checked search wrench info shield play connection mobile coin-dollar spoon-knife ticket pushpin location gift fire feed bubbles home heart calendar price-tag credit-card clock envelop facebook instagram twitter youtube pinterest yelp google reddit linkedin envelope bbb pinterest homeadvisor angies
Jun 4, 2026|Construction

Building Contractors: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

If you’re hiring a building contractor in Madison or South Central Wisconsin, the biggest risk usually isn’t the building itself; it’s misunderstanding the process before you sign. Most owners don’t build facilities for a living. You’re running a business, managing tenants, serving customers, or planning growth. So the right contractor isn’t just the one with a good number on paper, it’s the one who will communicate clearly, follow through, and help you make confident decisions.

My approach to building trust is pretty simple: be responsive, don’t pretend to have every answer on the spot, get the answer quickly when it matters, and follow through. With that in mind, here are nine questions I recommend asking any contractor before you sign.

checklist of 9 questions to ask a building contractor before signing

Who will I be working with day-to-day?

Ask who your primary contact will be during planning and during construction. Then ask how often you’ll hear from them and what “updates” actually include.

If the answer is vague, that’s a flag. You want to know who’s accountable and how communication will work when decisions need to be made quickly.

What exactly is included and what is excluded?

This is where most surprises come from. Ask for a written list of:

  • Included scope

  • Excluded scope

  • Assumptions

If you’re comparing multiple bids, this matters even more. (If you need help leveling bids, see Hard vs Soft Costs in Construction for a baseline on what might be in play.

How will you help me avoid changing orders?

Change orders aren’t always “bad.” Sometimes the owner changes something. Sometimes conditions are different from what is expected. But you want to know the contractor’s approach to preventing avoidable changes.

Ask:

  • What do you do during planning to reduce unknowns?

  • How do you handle scope gaps in drawings?

  • How do you price changes: time and material, unit rates, or lump sum?

Checklist of questions to ask a building contractor before signing a contract Advanced Building Corporation, Madison, WI
What does your pre-construction process deliver (in writing)?

“Pre-construction” should produce documents you can hold and decisions you can make, not just a number.

Ask what you’ll receive, such as:

  • A scope narrative

  • A line-item budget

  • An allowance and an alternates list

  • A schedule with milestones

  • A long-lead procurement plan

If you want a schedule baseline, read Construction Project Timeline .

How do you handle budget clarity (and allowances)?

If selections aren’t final, allowances may be appropriate, but they should be transparent.

Ask:

  • What allowances are included?

  • What exactly does each allowance cover?

  • Do allowances include labor, material, taxes, and markup?

  • When do selections need to be made to avoid schedule impacts?

For more context on what drives pricing, see Construction Project Cost Factors .

What’s your realistic schedule, and what could impact it?

A good contractor won’t promise perfection. They’ll explain the plan and the variables.

Ask:

  • What’s the projected start date and completion date?

  • What are the long-lead items?

  • What decisions do you need from me (and by when) to keep the schedule?

If you want a plain-English overview of common variables, read Factors That Affect Construction Projects.

Business owner and building contractor reviewing project scope and contract documents at a meeting in Madison, Wisconsin
How do you coordinate with architects, engineers, and subs?

Coordination is where projects either feel smooth or stressful.

Ask:

  • Who is responsible for catching conflicts between drawings and field conditions?

  • How do you handle constructability reviews?

  • How do you keep the whole team aligned?

If you’re weighing delivery methods, Design‑Build Popularity Trends is a helpful overview:

Can you show me similar projects (and connect me with references)?

Ask for proof that matches your project type, not just “we build everything.”

Good reference questions:

  • Was the project on time?

  • How was communication?

  • How were issues handled?

  • Would you hire them again?

You can also review Client Testimonials and browse Commercial & Retail work.

What happens after I sign? What does the first 30 days look like?

This is one of my favorite “follow-through” questions because it tells you whether the contractor has a real process.

Ask:

  • What are the first meetings and milestones?

  • What information do you need from me?

  • How do you confirm scope, cost, and schedule before work begins?

A contractor who can walk you through the first 30 days is usually one who will keep the rest of the project organized, too.

 

Where to go next

If you’re planning a commercial project in Madison, WI, or the surrounding area, we’re happy to answer these questions and walk through what the process would look like for your site and goals.

Helpful next steps:

 

What to Read Next
Back to the top