What Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Renovation Contractor in Vancouver (2026)
The questions you ask during contractor selection reveal more than the answers — they show you’re a serious, informed client that a good contractor wants to work with, and they expose red flags from problem contractors early. Here are the 12 questions VGC recommends asking before signing any renovation contract in Metro Vancouver.
1. Are you registered in BC and can I verify your business registration? Every legitimate contractor is registered with BC Registry Services. A professional will offer this voluntarily or provide their registration number on request.
2. Are you covered by WorkSafeBC, and can I get a clearance letter? Ask for a current clearance letter from WorkSafeBC (available free at worksafebc.com). No coverage = you’re liable for injuries on your property.
3. Do you carry commercial general liability insurance? How much? Minimum $2M CGL is standard in Metro Vancouver. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured.
4. Who will be on-site daily, and do you use subcontractors? Understand who is physically doing the work. If sub-contractors are used, are they insured and licensed? VGC uses an in-house team for all primary trades.
5. Will you pull all required permits? Any contractor who suggests skipping permits to save time or money is creating a future liability for you. This should be non-negotiable.
6. Do you provide a fixed-price contract or time-and-materials? Fixed-price contracts protect you from open-ended cost exposure. VGC’s fixed-price model means the quoted number is the final number, subject only to formal written change orders.
7. What is your payment schedule? Typical is 10–15% deposit, then milestone payments. Never pay more than 30% upfront.
8. Can you provide references from recent similar projects? Request 2–3 references from completed projects in the past 12 months. Call them — ask about communication, schedule adherence, and how issues were handled.
9. How do you handle change orders? Scope changes should be documented in writing with price and schedule impact before any additional work begins. Verbal change orders are a source of disputes.
10. What warranty do you provide after completion? VGC provides a 2-year post-completion warranty. Industry minimum in BC is 1 year.
11. Who manages inspections? Your contractor should manage all permit inspections — you should not need to coordinate with the permit office.
12. What does your typical communication look like during the project? Expect weekly written updates, clear escalation paths for decisions, and a named project manager who is your contact throughout.
Related: Renovation Costs Vancouver | Get a Free Quote
→ See also: Vancouver Renovation Planning Guide
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