Questions to ask before hiring a contractor

Key takeaways

Confirm the contractor's Tennessee license number through the state's public lookup, not just a business card.
Ask for a current certificate of insurance covering liability and, where applicable, workers' compensation.
Compare several written estimates line by line, not just the bottom number.
Put scope, schedule, payment terms, change orders, and warranty in a written contract.
Avoid large upfront payments and anyone who pressures you to decide immediately.

Hiring a contractor in Chattanooga or nearby North Georgia should feel clear, not rushed. A solid pro can explain the work, put numbers in writing, and show how they are licensed and insured. Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel, a new roof, a deck, or a repair after storm damage, use the questions below before you sign or pay a deposit. This guide covers licensing, insurance, estimates, contracts, timelines, references, payments, and the warning signs that should make you pause.

Ask about licensing first. Tennessee licenses contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors, part of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and a state license is required once a project's value passes a threshold the state sets. Smaller jobs may fall under different rules, and trades such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC carry their own requirements. Ask for the license number and confirm it through the state's public lookup rather than taking a business card at face value. Local permits from the City of Chattanooga or Hamilton County may also apply to your project, and a professional contractor will know which ones.

Ask for proof of insurance. A contractor should carry general liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance issued directly by the insurer and check that it is current. Without coverage, an injury on your property or damage to a neighbor's home could become your problem.

Get more than one written estimate. Three is a common target for larger projects. Compare what each estimate includes: materials and their grade, labor, permits, debris removal, and cleanup. A very low bid often leaves something out. Ask whether the estimate is a fixed price or an approximation that can change, and how change orders are handled if you or the contractor discover something unexpected.

Insist on a written contract. It should list the scope of work, materials, start and completion dates, the payment schedule, who pulls permits, how changes are approved, and what warranty covers the work. Be cautious about large upfront deposits; a modest deposit to secure materials is common, but paying most of the price before work begins removes your leverage.

Ask for references from recent projects similar to yours, and actually call them. Ask whether the work finished on time, whether the final cost matched the estimate, how the crew treated the property, and whether the contractor came back to fix anything. Photos of completed work and online reviews help, but a conversation with a past customer tells you more.

Talk through the schedule and communication. Who will be on site each day? Will the contractor be present, or will a foreman run the job? How will you be told about delays, and what happens if weather or a material backorder pushes the timeline? Clear expectations up front prevent most disputes.

Know the warning signs: no physical address or license number, pressure to decide today, a demand for cash or full payment up front, no written contract, or a contractor who shows up unsolicited after a storm. Storm-chasing crews do arrive in the Tennessee Valley after severe weather; take your time and verify before you sign.

When you are ready to browse, open the Home Services category or jump in by area on Nooga Local. Compare listings, then contact businesses directly. Guides never favor paid listings. Nooga Local records verified status for licensing and insurance claims only when the business owner has supplied documentation, and unverified claims are not displayed as fact. Even so, always confirm current status directly with the state before hiring.

Nooga Local does not endorse any specific firm or business, and this guide does not recommend one. Listings marked Featured are paid placements and are clearly labeled as such; paid status never influences how a guide is written.

Frequently asked questions

Do contractors in Tennessee have to be licensed?

Tennessee requires a state contractor license once a project's value passes a threshold set by the Board for Licensing Contractors, and certain trades have their own licensing rules. Because the threshold and rules can change, check the current requirements on the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance site and look up any contractor you are considering there. Local permits may apply regardless of the license question.

How many estimates should I get before hiring a contractor?

For anything beyond a small repair, three written estimates is a reasonable target. The point is not only to compare price but to see how each contractor scopes the job; differences in materials, permits, and cleanup often explain the gap between bids. If one bid is far lower than the others, ask what it leaves out.

How much should I pay a contractor up front?

Practices vary, but a modest deposit tied to ordering materials is common, while paying most of the project cost before work begins is not advisable. Tie payments to completed milestones in the contract and hold the final payment until the work is finished and inspected. Be wary of any demand for cash or full payment in advance.

What should be in a home improvement contract?

At minimum: a detailed scope of work, materials and grades, start and completion dates, a payment schedule, who is responsible for permits and inspections, how change orders are approved and priced, cleanup and debris removal, and the warranty on labor and materials. Both parties should sign and keep a copy. If a contractor resists putting details in writing, that is a signal.

What does Verified mean on a Nooga Local contractor listing?

Verified means the business owner has confirmed ownership of the listing or supplied documentation for a specific claim; it does not mean Nooga Local has inspected the contractor's work or endorses them. Licensing and insurance claims appear as verified only when documentation was provided. Always confirm current status with the state directly.

Sources

Published June 19, 2026. Updated September 4, 2026. Dates are Eastern Time. Guides are editorial and are never influenced by paid placement; see our editorial standards.