Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Modification Contractor
Bring this list to every contractor conversation before hiring: licensing and insurance, specific accessibility experience, how they'll handle structural or plumbing surprises, their timeline, and whether they're familiar with relevant financial assistance programs. A contractor who answers all of these clearly and specifically is a much safer bet than one who gives vague reassurances.
Hiring the right contractor matters more for accessibility work than for a typical cosmetic renovation — a mistake here isn’t just an aesthetic disappointment, it can mean a grab bar that doesn’t hold weight or a ramp that’s too steep to use safely. Bring this list to your first conversation with any contractor you’re considering.
Credentials and experience
Scope and process
Money and paperwork
Red flags worth taking seriously
Be cautious of a contractor who pressures you to sign quickly, asks for a large cash payment upfront with no written contract, or gives vague, general answers to specific questions on this list. These patterns are common enough in home-improvement scams targeting older homeowners that a legitimate, experienced contractor should have no trouble addressing every item here directly and specifically.
For more on what actually distinguishes a well-qualified accessibility contractor, see our guide on hiring a CAPS-certified contractor (opens in a new tab).