Free Contractor Vetting Checklist for Retrofit Projects

A retrofit project can involve foundation work, bracing, connectors, fasteners, permits, and inspections. Before you agree to any work, it helps to slow down and compare contractors in a simple, written way so you understand who is offering what.

Vetting does not mean you need to become an engineer or code expert. It means checking the basics: who is licensed, what work is included, whether permits are discussed, how the contractor explains the job, and whether the quote is clear enough for you to compare.

A checklist also helps if English is not your first language or if you are getting multiple estimates. Instead of relying on memory, you can write down answers side by side and spot missing details more easily. If you want introductions to local contractors, you can also get matched, free.

The worksheet is designed to help homeowners gather the same information from each contractor, in the same format. That makes it easier to compare scope, paperwork, and communication, not just price.

Inside, you will find space to track:

• Contractor name, contact information, and license details
• Whether the contractor discussed permits and inspections
• The proposed scope of work in plain language
• Materials or hardware mentioned during the estimate
• Estimated timeline and payment schedule
• Warranty language, if any, in writing
• Questions you still need answered before deciding

It also includes a simple bid-comparison section so you can see where one estimate includes items another estimate leaves out. If you are also checking grant options, see the Brace + Bolt grant checklist or browse more homeowner worksheets in our tools library.

Use the checklist during each estimate visit or phone call. Try to ask each contractor the same core questions. That way, you are comparing similar information instead of trying to remember different conversations.

A simple way to use it:

1. Print one checklist for each contractor.
2. Write down exactly what work they say they are proposing.
3. Mark whether they mention permits, inspections, and who handles them.
4. Ask for the full scope and price in writing.
5. Review all checklists together before choosing anyone.

If one contractor gives a much lower bid, the checklist can help you see whether anything is missing. Lower cost is not always bad, but it is worth asking why the scope, hardware, timeline, or paperwork is different.

For a ready-made list of interview questions, pair this page with the retrofit question pack.

You do not need to ask highly technical questions. Focus on clear, practical questions that help you understand the proposed work and the contractor's process. A licensed contractor, or a licensed engineer if needed, can confirm project-specific details after seeing the home.

Helpful questions include:

• What work are you recommending, in plain language?
• What is included in this price, and what is not included?
• Will permits or inspections be required, and who handles them?
• Are there possible extra costs if hidden conditions are found?
• How long might the job take once scheduled?
• Will I receive the scope, price, and payment terms in writing?

If the contractor uses terms you do not understand, ask them to explain with simple words or photos. A good estimate visit should leave you more informed, not more confused.

Before hiring anyone, verify their current license status through your state's official licensing system. Also ask whether they carry bond and insurance, and request proof directly from the contractor. BedrockMatch does not replace your own verification.

You should also confirm, in writing, who is responsible for permits and inspections if they apply to your project. Permit needs depend on the home, location, and scope of work, so a licensed contractor or local building department can clarify that.

Use this quick review:

• Verify the contractor's license is active and appropriate for the work
• Ask for proof of bond and insurance
• Confirm the business name matches the paperwork
• Ask whether permits are expected and who will pull them
• Make sure scope, price, and payment terms are written clearly

If a contractor avoids written details or tells you permits never matter without reviewing your home carefully, that is a reason to ask more questions.

Many homeowners get stuck when estimates come in with different wording, different line items, and different prices. Start by comparing the scope, not just the total. Two bids can look similar but include different materials, different quantities, or different permit assumptions.

It may help to highlight four things on every bid: the exact work proposed, exclusions, estimated schedule, and payment terms. If one bid is missing these items, ask the contractor to clarify in writing before you decide.

Keep in mind that cost ranges for retrofit work are only typical illustrative ranges and can vary widely by home, region, access, and hidden conditions. A bid is easier to trust when the contractor explains what is included, what could change, and what documentation you will receive.

If you are deciding between multiple companies, this checklist gives you one place to keep notes so the choice feels more manageable.

Some warning signs are simple. If a contractor pressures you to sign immediately, refuses to explain the work, or does not want to put terms in writing, pause and review carefully.

Other common red flags include:

• Very vague scope descriptions
• Large upfront payment requests without clear documentation
• Refusal to provide license or insurance information
• Promises that sound absolute or too certain
• Pressure to skip permits or avoid paperwork
• Quotes that are much lower than others with no clear explanation

A red flag does not always mean fraud, but it does mean you should slow down and verify more. The goal of this checklist is not to choose for you. It is to help you ask better questions, keep better notes, and make a more informed decision.