A remodel or custom home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. The contractor you choose shapes more than the finished product. They decide whether the project runs on time, stays on budget, and leaves you with a home you’re proud of.
The best way to protect yourself is to ask the right questions before you sign. Here are eight questions to ask a general contractor in Austin, and what good answers sound like.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
Texas doesn’t issue a statewide license for general contractors. Licensed trades still matter, though: electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians must hold state licenses. Ask your contractor:
Which trade licenses their subcontractors hold.
Whether they carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
At Alabaster Austin, we’re fully insured and work only with state-licensed trade partners. We share certificates of insurance with every client before work begins.
2. Will you pull the permits?
Most remodels and all new builds in Austin and the surrounding cities need permits and inspections from the local building department. The contractor should pull the permits, not the homeowner. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims, appraisals, and resale.
If a contractor suggests skipping permits to save time or money, treat it as a serious red flag.
3. Can I see your reviews and past projects?
Look at reviews on Google, and look for patterns rather than a single review. Then ask for:
A portfolio of projects similar to yours
Two or three recent clients you can call
Ask those references whether the project finished on schedule, how surprises were handled, and whether they’d hire the contractor again.
You can browse Alabaster Austin’s completed projects in our portfolio and read client reviews on our Google Business Profile.
4. What’s the timeline, and how will we communicate?
Ask for a realistic schedule broken into phases. Ask what’s most likely to cause delays, such as permitting, material lead times, or weather. Just as important is how you’ll stay informed:
Who is your main point of contact?
How often will you get updates, and in what form?
How quickly are questions and issues answered?
A contractor who sets clear expectations up front is far less likely to leave you guessing mid-project.
At Alabaster Austin, every project has a dedicated project manager who keeps you informed from start to finish. Your PM is your go-to person for every question, big or small, and you’ll always get a clear, prompt answer. We know that working in someone’s home is a privilege, and we treat your space, your time, and your trust that way.
5. What does your contract include?
A good contract spells out:
The scope of work
Materials and selections
How pricing works
The payment schedule
The timeline
How changes are handled
Vague contracts lead to disputes. If something you discussed isn’t in writing, ask for it to be added before you sign.
6. How do you handle payments and lien waivers?
Under Texas law, unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can file a mechanic’s lien against your property, even if you’ve paid your contractor in full. To protect yourself:
Ask whether the contractor provides lien waivers from subs and suppliers as payments are made
Ask whether you’ll see what each payment is going toward
Make sure the payment schedule follows completed work rather than running far ahead of it
Because Alabaster Austin uses open-book pricing, you see the actual invoices behind every payment. You know exactly who’s being paid and for what.
7. How is your pricing structured, and will I see the real costs?
This may be the most important question on the list, and it’s one many homeowners don’t think to ask. Most contractors use fixed-bid pricing: you get one number, and the costs, markups, and allowances inside it stay hidden. When budgets go sideways, it’s usually because of underestimated allowances or change orders priced with no visibility into what they really cost.
Open-book pricing works differently:
You see the actual costs of labor, materials, and subcontractors
The contractor’s fee is clearly disclosed
When you make a change, you can see exactly what it costs and why
Ask any contractor you’re interviewing:
Is your pricing fixed-bid, cost-plus, or open-book?
Will I see actual subcontractor and supplier invoices?
How is your fee calculated, and is it disclosed up front?
How are changes priced and approved before work starts?
At Alabaster Austin, every project is open-book. You see real costs and our fixed percentage, with no hidden markups.
8. What warranty do you offer?
Ask what the warranty covers, how long it lasts, and how warranty requests are handled after the final walkthrough. Get the warranty terms in writing as part of your contract.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a contractor
No written contract, or a contract with a vague scope
Unwillingness to pull permits
No proof of insurance
Pressure to sign immediately
No references, or only very old projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I ask a general contractor before hiring?
Ask about:
Insurance and trade licensing
Permits
References and reviews
Timeline and communication
Contract details
Lien waivers
Budget management
Warranty
Do general contractors need a license in Texas?
Texas doesn’t require a statewide general contractor license. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors must be state-licensed, and some cities have their own registration requirements.
What is open-book pricing in construction?
Open-book pricing means the homeowner sees the actual costs of a project: labor, materials, and subcontractor invoices, plus the contractor’s disclosed fee. It replaces a single bid with hidden markups. It gives you full transparency into where your money goes and makes changes easier to evaluate.
What areas does Alabaster Austin serve?
Alabaster Austin builds custom homes and remodels throughout Austin and the surrounding area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Lakeway, Pflugerville, West Lake Hills and more!
Ready to start your project?
Choosing the right contractor starts with a conversation. Contact Alabaster Austin to talk through your remodel or custom home. We’ll answer every one of these questions, and any others you have.
