Experience and capacity
Ask for two comparable completed projects, the name of the site supervisor and the proposed start window. Clarify how many active jobs the supervisor and company will carry while yours is underway.
- What made the comparable job difficult?
- Which members of that team will work on mine?
- May I speak with a completed-project client?
- What would stop the proposed start date moving?
Scope and pricing
Ask the builder to walk through exclusions, assumptions, provisional sums and owner-supplied items. Confirm whether the drawings and specification are detailed enough for a reliable price and what investigation would reduce uncertainty.
- Which costs could change without a design change?
- How are trade quotes and allowances checked?
- What site conditions have not been investigated?
- How are variations priced and approved?
Delivery and handover
Understand meeting rhythm, reporting, quality checks, payment evidence, inspections and the defects process. Ask for sample programme, progress report and handover checklist documents with private details removed.
Shortlist questions
Ask before you appoint
- Who makes the day-to-day decisions on site?
- How will I see progress against programme and budget?
- What does practical completion require?
- Who owns each warranty and unresolved defect after handover?