What exactly is in the scope?
Ask for a written list of every item, trade and material. A vague line such as 'cabinets as discussed' leaves too much to argue about later.
How are changes handled?
Changes happen. Ask how they are priced, how you approve them and whether you see the cost in writing before the work is done.
Who will be in my house?
Find out who runs the job day to day, which trades are their own and which are hired out. Ask for one person to call.
What is the schedule?
A real schedule has an ordering date, a start date and a finish range. Ask what happens if a delivery is late.
Who pulls the permits?
Ask who applies for the village permits and who is present at the inspections. It should be the remodeler, not you.
How does the job end?
Ask for a final walk-through and a punch list. Hold the last payment until the list is finished.
