5 Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Contract

Once you've accepted an estimate and you're ready to move forward, there's a short list of things worth confirming before you sign anything — not because something is likely to go wrong, but because clarity up front avoids confusion later.

1. Who is the contracting party?

Make sure you know exactly which company you're signing with, and that it matches who will actually be doing the work.

2. What's the payment schedule?

Understand when payments are due relative to project milestones, not just the total amount.

3. What happens if the scope changes?

Ask how changes or unexpected site conditions are handled and priced, so there are no surprises if something comes up mid-project.

4. What's the estimated timeline, and what could affect it?

Weather, permitting, and material availability can all shift a timeline — it's worth knowing what's realistic and what could move the date.

5. Who do you contact with questions during the project?

Know who your point of contact is once work begins, so questions don't get lost.