The biggest mistake Greater Vancouver homeowners make when renovating isn’t choosing the wrong tile or the wrong paint color. It’s choosing the wrong contractor. One bad decision at this stage can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, months of delays, and a home that doesn’t look or function the way you imagined.
Here are the 10 questions that separate professional renovation contractors from the ones you should walk away from. Ask every single one. The right contractor will answer them without hesitation.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
This is the absolute minimum bar. In BC, a legitimate renovation contractor carries:
- Commercial general liability insurance — ideally $2M minimum, $5M for larger projects
- WorkSafe BC coverage — required for any contractor with employees or sub-trades
- A valid business license in the city where they’re working
Ask for proof. A real contractor has these documents ready and emails them over within an hour. If they hesitate, ask why.
2. Can I see recent projects like mine?
Not just photos — the address (if the owners permit it), the year completed, and the scope of work. Better yet, ask to talk to the past client. Good contractors have clients who will gladly take a phone call.
Red flag: a portfolio with no dates, no context, and no reference clients.
3. Will you handle permits and inspections?
Your contractor should handle every city permit and every inspection appointment. If they say “you pull the permit,” that’s a warning — they’re either not licensed to pull permits or they’re trying to avoid liability.
4. Who’s actually doing the work — your crew or subcontractors?
Both answers are fine. What matters is transparency. A contractor who says “my crew handles framing and finishing, I subcontract electrical and plumbing to licensed trades” is being honest. A contractor who says “we do everything” but shows up with a rotating cast of different people every week is probably flipping your project around to whoever is cheap and available.
5. How detailed is your quote?
A professional quote is itemized. Every significant cost is broken out: demolition, framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, tile, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, appliances, finishing, cleanup, permits. You should be able to see exactly what your money is paying for.
A one-page quote with a single total is a red flag. It gives the contractor room to claim anything is an “extra” once construction starts.
6. What’s the payment schedule?
Reasonable schedule for a $50,000 renovation:
- 10–15% deposit to confirm the booking and order materials
- Progress payments tied to milestones (demo complete, rough-in complete, drywall complete)
- Final 10–15% payable only after your walkthrough and sign-off
Red flag: a contractor who wants 50% upfront. That’s not how legitimate contractors structure payments.
7. What happens if the project takes longer or costs more?
Every renovation has surprises. What matters is how your contractor handles them. The answer should be:
- Any change order is documented in writing before work is done
- You approve every extra charge before it’s added
- Timeline adjustments are communicated immediately, not revealed at the end
Red flag: “Oh, don’t worry, we’ll figure it out as we go.” Translation: you’ll figure out that your bill doubled at the end.
8. Do you provide a written contract?
Yes. A real contract with:
- Scope of work
- Materials list
- Timeline with milestones
- Payment schedule
- Warranty terms
- Cancellation and dispute resolution clauses
A handshake deal is not a contract. Get it in writing before any money changes hands.
9. What’s your warranty?
At minimum, workmanship warranty for 1–2 years. Good contractors offer longer. Your contractor should guarantee their work — if a tile cracks from poor installation 8 months later, they come back and fix it.
Also ask about manufacturer warranties on materials and fixtures. Those are separate and usually longer.
10. Can I contact you during construction?
You should have a direct line to the person running your project — phone, text, WhatsApp, whatever works. Weekly updates at minimum. Most contractors we respect send a quick update every Friday with what was done that week and what’s coming next.
Red flag: a contractor who disappears after the contract is signed and you only hear from them when they need more money.
Bonus: The Gut-Check Question
After meeting a contractor, ask yourself: would I want this person in my home every day for weeks while I live there?
Skilled craftsmanship matters. But so does trust, cleanliness, respect for your space, and communication. If the answer is “I’m not sure,” keep looking.
What Makes Bouri Contracting Different
Bouri Contracting is family-owned and family-run — three brothers (Farid, Habib, and Hamid) with over 10 years of combined experience renovating homes and businesses across Greater Vancouver. Every project is personally managed by one of us. You’ll know who’s in your home every day.
- $5M liability insurance and WorkSafe BC registered
- Itemized, transparent quotes — you know exactly what you’re paying for
- Permits handled end-to-end — we do the city hall visits, not you
- Weekly progress updates with photos
- 77+ 5-star Google reviews from real clients across Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities
If you’re planning a renovation in Greater Vancouver and want to start with a contractor who’ll answer every one of the 10 questions above — book a free consultation with Bouri Contracting today or call (604) 615-1756.