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Hiring··6 min read

12 questions to ask before you hire a Tampa general contractor

The questions that actually separate legitimate licensed contractors from the ones you'll regret — from a builder who gets asked them daily.

12 questions to ask before you hire a Tampa general contractor

There's no shortage of contractors in Tampa. There is, unfortunately, a meaningful shortage of good ones. These are the questions we wish every homeowner asked us — because they tell you more than any website or Google review can.

Licensing & insurance

  • What is your Florida CGC number? (Look it up on myfloridalicense.com.)
  • Who carries your general liability and workers' comp?
  • Will you list us as an additional insured on your policy during our project?
  • Process & communication

  • Who will be on-site daily and who is the single point of contact?
  • How do you handle change orders and price variance?
  • Can I see a current project in progress?
  • Warranty & close-out

  • What's your warranty period and what does it actually cover?
  • How do you handle punch-list items after final payment?
  • If a contractor hesitates on any of these, that is the answer. You're about to let someone take apart the most expensive thing you own. The interview matters.

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