The last thing you want is a contractor to be working on your property and to find out they don't have the proper insurance or aren't licensed to do the work.  If they don’t and something goes wrong or someone is hurt at a work site, you could be held liable for the damages. Make sure that the General Contractor you choose has ample worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability coverage.

The best way to ascertain if the General Contractor you choose is skilled and competent enough to do the job is to ask for and verify a list of references consisting of past customers that you can contact. Customers that get what they paid for and who are happy with the job your contractor has done for them are usually only too happy to provide an endorsement on the contractor's work.

1. How long have they been in business?
2. Do they have an office or place of business you can visit?
3. Are they financially stable enough to handle your project and be held to a draw schedule?
4. Do they have a successor if they became injured or sick during the middle of your project?

These may be uncomfortable questions to ask, but it is best to know the answers prior to the start of your project.