A Guide to Protecting Your Budget, Schedule, and Vision

Hiring a general contractor is one of the most critical decisions you'll make during a construction or renovation project. The contractor you choose will have a direct impact on your timeline, budget, quality of work, and overall experience.

At Periana Architecture, we often support clients during the contractor selection process to ensure their goals, designs, and expectations are fully aligned before the first nail is hammered. To help you make an informed and confident decision, here are 10 must-ask questions to bring to any conversation with a prospective general contractor.

1. What's Included in the Scope of Work?

Request a detailed breakdown of all work included, including demolition, framing, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, finishes, and any exterior improvements. Clarify if anything is excluded or marked as an allowance. Gray areas now often lead to costly change orders later.

Having clear documentation from the start protects both you and your contractor. This is where an experienced architectural firm can be invaluable in reviewing proposals and ensuring nothing critical is overlooked.

2. Do You Handle Permits and Inspections?

Verify whether the contractor will manage permitting, zoning reviews, and required inspections. A qualified general contractor should be familiar with your local jurisdiction—you want the contractor with the inspector in your area on speed dial. They should be able to coordinate with the building department to keep your project compliant and on schedule.

3. What's the Anticipated Timeline?

Ask these key timeline questions:

• When can you start?

• What's the estimated completion date?

• Can you outline key phases or milestones?

Understanding how they handle delays—from weather to long-lead materials—and how those updates will be communicated to you is crucial. This project management aspect can be effectively managed by hiring a professional project manager, such as those at Periana Architecture.

4. Will You Be Managing Other Projects Simultaneously?

It's common for contractors to manage multiple jobs, but your project deserves dedicated attention. Ask how they plan to staff and prioritize your job, and who will be on-site to oversee the work daily. Understanding their workload helps set realistic expectations for attention and progress.

5. What's Your Standard Payment Schedule?

Clarify the financial structure by asking:

• What's your typical payment structure (deposit, milestone draws, final payment)?

• Are payments tied to completed phases?

• Will you provide lien releases from subcontractors before each draw?

Proper payment management protects you from liens and ensures work progresses appropriately. This financial oversight can also be managed by hiring a project manager like those at Periana Architecture.

6. How Do You Price and Manage Change Orders?

Even the best-planned projects encounter changes. Keep expectations aligned and prevent misunderstandings by asking:

• How are change orders documented, approved, and billed?

• Will I be notified of any additional costs and schedule impacts before changes are made?

Having an experienced project manager from Periana Architecture can help evaluate change orders and ensure they're reasonable and necessary before approval.

7. Who Will Be Doing the Work?

Clarify whether in-house crews or subcontractors will perform the work. Then ask:

• How do you vet and manage subcontractors?

• Will the same team be on-site throughout the project?

Consistency in personnel often leads to better quality and communication. Understanding the team structure helps you identify who you'll be working with daily.

8. Who Sources the Materials?

Material selection impacts both aesthetics and lead time. Ask:

• Do you or the client provide the materials?

• Do you work with preferred vendors or brands?

• Will I be notified of substitutions or availability issues?

This ensures your design vision stays intact and delays are avoided. If you hire an interior designer or architect, materials will most likely be specified already and can therefore be accurately incorporated into the budget.

9. How Will You Communicate During the Project?

Ask how you'll stay informed:

• Who is the day-to-day point of contact?

• Will there be site meetings, weekly reports, photos, or digital dashboards?

• Is there a formal daily log or schedule tracking tool?

Clear, regular communication is the key to a smooth project versus a frustrating one. At Periana Architecture, we excel at facilitating communication between clients and contractors, serving as your advocate throughout the construction process. You can hire a project manager if you're out of town or don't want to take on the extra responsibility of daily oversight. This service can be arranged through Periana Architecture to ensure professional management of contractor communications and project progress.

10. What Warranties and Post-Project Support Do You Offer?

Quality workmanship extends beyond the final payment. Ask:

• What's your warranty on labor and materials?

• Is there a formal punch list process before final sign-off?

• Will you be available after completion for touch-ups or warranty issues?

Protecting your investment includes knowing the contractor will stand by their work. A thorough punch list process ensures every detail meets your standards before final payment.

How Periana Architecture Supports Your Contractor Relationship

Throughout the construction process, Periana Architecture serves as your professional advocate and facilitator of communication. We help translate technical requirements, review contractor proposals, manage change orders, and ensure your design vision is executed correctly. Our project management services include:

• Regular site visits and progress documentation

• Contractor communication and coordination

• Quality control and design compliance oversight

• Change order evaluation and approval assistance

• Schedule monitoring and milestone tracking

This professional oversight ensures that communication flows smoothly between all parties and that your project stays on track, on budget, and true to the original design intent.

Final Thoughts

Even the most experienced contractor needs a clear scope, strong systems, and open communication to deliver a successful result. By asking these 10 questions before hiring a general contractor, you'll not only protect your budget and timeline, but you'll also establish a partnership built on clarity and trust.

At Periana Architecture, we collaborate closely with contractors throughout construction to ensure our clients' vision is executed beautifully and efficiently. If you're preparing to interview general contractors, want help evaluating bids, or need professional project management support, we're here to assist.

Do you need a checklist version of these questions, or would you like help reviewing a proposal? Email us at merissa@perianaarchitecture.com, and we'll be happy to support your process and serve as your advocate throughout the construction journey.