08/15/2026
I'm a contractor. And I'm going to tell you exactly what to ask before you hire one.
Most homeowners don't know what questions to ask — and most contractors are counting on that. Here are three that will tell you everything.
One: Is this bid itemized? A real quote breaks down every line — labor, materials, allowances, permits. A vague number is not a quote. It's an opening position, and the change orders come later once you're already committed.
Two: Who is physically on-site every day? Get a name before you sign anything. The person who sold you the job is not always the person running it. Unsupervised projects are where timelines slip, materials get substituted, and problems get buried in the walls.
Three: What's your ROC license number? In Arizona, you can verify any contractor's license at azroc.gov in under a minute. It's free, it's public, and it tells you whether they're licensed, insured, and whether any complaints have been filed. Ask every contractor. If they hesitate, you have your answer.
At Wise Construction, we answer all three before you ask.
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