What to Ask Before Hiring a Renovation Contractor

Renovating your home isn’t just about picking tiles and tapware — it’s about choosing a builder you can trust.

But most homeowners don’t know what to ask. And that’s where things go sideways.

So here it is: the no-BS list of questions to ask before you sign anything — and why they matter.

1. “Can I see real examples of your recent work?”

You want to see projects like yours.

Not a mansion in Toorak if you’re redoing a family home in Glen Iris.

Look for:

• Style alignment

• Clean finishes

• Relevance to your space and budget

🛠️ Bonus points: Ask to speak to past clients. If they hesitate, that’s a flag.

2. “Who’s actually going to be on-site each day?”

A lot of contractors win the job — then disappear.

Make sure you know:

• Who manages the site?

• Who you speak to for updates?

• Are trades in-house or subbed out?

Bluestone tip: we assign a dedicated site lead to every job — no chasing, no confusion.

3. “What’s your process if something goes wrong?”

Materials run late. A pipe bursts. You change your mind on layout.

Ask how your builder communicates problems:

• Are you kept in the loop?

• Do they give options or just decisions?

• Is there a paper trail?

You want clarity, not chaos.

4. “Do you offer a fixed price — or just an estimate?”

A fixed-price quote means the builder has done the work upfront.

It shows confidence and planning.

If they’re vague or the price feels low… assume it’ll blow out.

👉 At Bluestone, we offer fixed pricing on detailed scopes — no surprises.

5. “What’s included — and what’s not?”

This is where budgets get smashed.

You need to know:

• Is demolition included?

• What about rubbish removal?

• Electrical upgrades?

• Tiling prep?

• PC items (fittings, tapware etc)?

If it’s not in writing — it’s not included.

6. “How do you keep the house clean and liveable?”

If you’re living through the reno (or even part of it), this matters.

Ask:

• Do they use dust barriers?

• Will they clean daily?

• Do they provide temporary solutions (e.g. kitchen, toilet)?

🧼 Clients constantly thank us for how “clean and respectful” our team is. It’s not fluff — it’s sanity.

7. “How do you stay on schedule?”

Delays are normal. But ghosting isn't.

You want:

• A clear start/finish timeline

• Milestones (not just one vague end date)

• Weekly updates

• Accountability

Ask if they have scheduling software, shared calendars, or weekly check-ins.

In Short…

If a builder can’t answer these questions clearly and confidently — walk.

At Bluestone Build Co, we don’t just tick boxes — we build trust.

Want to ask us these questions? You should.

👉 Book your call here and get straight answers from the start.