Start with references and licensing, not price

The cheapest quote is almost never the best contractor. Before you compare costs, verify that anyone you are considering holds a current license in your state or county — requirements vary widely, and some states do not require general contractor licensing at all, but most require plumbing and electrical work to be done by licensed specialists. Call your state's licensing board or your local building department to confirm a contractor's status and check for complaints or disciplinary history.

Ask every contractor for at least three references from bathroom projects completed in the past two years. Call those references and ask specifically whether the work stayed on budget, whether the contractor showed up on time, and whether they had to go back to fix problems after the job was done. A contractor who cannot or will not provide references is a sign to move on.

Check online reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau, but treat them as one data point, not the whole picture. A single bad review on a contractor with dozens of five-star ratings is different from a pattern of complaints about the same issue — like consistently going over budget or leaving the site messy.

Key Takeaways

  • Verify that your contractor holds a current license with your state or county, and check the licensing board's record for complaints before you meet.
  • Call at least three recent references and ask whether the work stayed on budget, stayed on schedule, and required callbacks to fix problems.
  • Get written estimates from at least three contractors that break down labor, materials, and timeline separately — not a single lump sum.
  • A signed contract must include the project scope, start and end dates, payment schedule, and what happens if either party wants to stop the work.
  • Never pay the full cost upfront; most states cap how much a contractor can collect before work begins, usually 10 to 50 percent of the total.

Get written estimates that break down costs clearly

Request written estimates from at least three contractors. A real estimate lists labor, materials, and timeline as separate line items — not a single number. If a contractor gives you a price over the phone or on a napkin, that is not an estimate you can rely on. The estimate should also note which materials are included, what brand or grade they are, and what work is and is not covered.

Estimates from different contractors will vary, sometimes significantly. A quote that is much lower than the others may mean the contractor is cutting corners on materials, planning to rush the job, or planning to add charges later. A quote that is much higher may reflect better materials or a more experienced crew, but it may also reflect padding. The middle range is often a reasonable starting point, but only if the scope of work is identical across all three estimates.

Ask each contractor whether the estimate includes permits and inspections. In most places, bathroom remodels require building permits and inspections by the local building department — this is not optional, and a contractor who does not mention it may not be planning to pull permits. Unpermitted work can create problems when you sell the house and may not be covered by your homeowner's insurance if something goes wrong.

Understand what a contract must include

Before any work starts, you and the contractor must sign a written contract. This is not a formality — it is your protection. The contract must include the project scope (what work will be done, in what order), the start date and expected end date, the total cost, and the payment schedule. It should also specify what happens if either you or the contractor wants to stop the work, and who pays for materials already ordered.

The contract should name the specific products and brands going into your bathroom — not "tile" but "12-by-24-inch porcelain tile, Daltile Quarry Stone, color Chocolate." This prevents the contractor from substituting cheaper materials without your knowledge. It should also state who is responsible for obtaining permits and scheduling inspections, and whether the contractor's price includes the cost of permits.

Read the payment terms carefully. Most states have laws that cap how much a contractor can collect before work begins — usually 10 to 50 percent of the total, depending on your state. Never pay the full amount upfront. A typical payment schedule might be 25 percent at signing, 50 percent when framing and rough plumbing are done, and 25 percent at completion. Ask the contractor to explain any payment terms you do not understand before you sign.

Check insurance and bonding

Ask the contractor to provide proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Liability insurance protects you if the contractor damages your home or someone is injured on the job. Workers' compensation insurance protects the contractor's employees; if a worker is injured and the contractor does not have this insurance, you could be held liable.

Some states require contractors to carry a performance bond, which protects you if the contractor abandons the job or fails to pay suppliers. Ask whether your state requires bonding and, if so, whether the contractor carries it. If bonding is not required in your area, it is still a good sign if a contractor offers it — it shows they are serious about standing behind their work.

Request copies of insurance certificates and verify them directly with the insurance company if you have any doubt. Do not rely on a certificate the contractor hands you; call the insurer's phone number on the certificate to confirm the policy is active and has not lapsed.

Ask about the timeline and what delays mean

Bathroom remodels typically take two to six weeks, depending on the scope of work and whether unexpected problems come up — like mold or structural damage hidden behind walls. The contract should state an expected start and end date, but also acknowledge that delays can happen. Ask the contractor what causes delays in their experience and how they communicate with homeowners when the timeline shifts.

Find out whether the contractor charges extra if the job takes longer than planned, and under what circumstances. Some delays are the contractor's fault (crew did not show up, materials were ordered wrong), and some are not (you changed your mind about tile halfway through, or the inspector found code violations). The contract should clarify who pays for delays caused by each party.

Ask how the contractor handles the day-to-day work — what time they arrive and leave, where they park, how they protect the rest of your house from dust and debris, and whether they clean up at the end of each day. A contractor who is thoughtful about these details is usually thoughtful about the quality of the work itself.

Red flags that mean you should keep looking

Do not hire a contractor who asks for cash only, refuses to provide a written contract, cannot provide references, or will not put the scope of work in writing. These are signs that the contractor either does not take their work seriously or is trying to avoid a paper trail.

Be wary of a contractor who pressures you to decide quickly, offers a discount if you sign today, or says they can start when ready. Reputable contractors have full schedules and can afford to wait for your decision. Pressure to rush is often a sign that the contractor is desperate for work or planning to cut corners to move on to the next job.

If a contractor cannot clearly explain what they will do, why it costs what it costs, or how long it will take, that is a reason to ask more questions or move on. You should feel confident that you understand the work and the cost before you sign anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to hire a general contractor, or can I hire plumbers and electricians separately?

You can hire specialists separately, but a general contractor coordinates the work and is responsible if something goes wrong. If you hire separately, you become the project manager — you schedule each trade, make sure they show up in the right order, and handle disputes if one trade damages another's work. This saves money but requires more time and knowledge on your part.

What should I do if the contractor finds a problem during the work, like mold or rotted framing?

This is common in bathroom remodels. The contractor should stop work, document the problem with photos, and give you a written estimate for the additional work needed. You can then decide whether to proceed, get a second opinion, or negotiate the cost. The contract should state that you approve any work over a certain amount (often $500 or $1,000) before it begins.

Can I change my mind about materials or the design after work has started?

Yes, but changes cost money and time. The contractor should give you a written change order that shows what is being added or removed, how much it costs, and how it affects the timeline. Do not ask the contractor to make changes verbally — get it in writing so there is no confusion later about what was agreed to and what it costs.

What recourse do I have if the work is not done well?

The contract should include a warranty period, usually 30 to 90 days, during which the contractor will fix problems at no cost. Document any issues with photos and send the contractor a written list. If the contractor refuses to fix problems, you can file a complaint with your state's licensing board or pursue a small claims lawsuit, depending on the amount of money involved and your state's rules.

Should I pay for materials myself to save money?

This is usually not a good idea. When you buy materials, you own them and are responsible if they are damaged or defective. When the contractor buys materials, they are responsible. Also, contractors often get discounts on materials that you would not get as a homeowner, so you may not actually save money. Discuss this with the contractor before you decide.