6 Questions to Ask Public-Work Contractors Before Hiring

Questions to Ask Public-Work Contractors

Updated November 6, 2026

What Should You Ask Contractors on New York’s Public-Work Registry?

Ask for the license number, insurance certificates and a written contract, then ask who runs the job, who pulls permits and what the warranty covers. For this trade, also ask: What warranty do you give on labor, in writing? Typical lead time is varies by business and project.

Updated November 6, 2026 · Source: construction.broker planning guide (our own assumptions, not survey data); always compare written bids.

The Questions

What is your license number, and which state or city issued it?
Can you send a current certificate of liability insurance and proof of workers’ compensation?
Will the contract list the scope, materials, price, start and finish dates and payment schedule?
Who pulls the permits, and are they included in the price?
Who will run the job day to day, and will you use subcontractors?
What warranty do you give on labor, in writing?

Good to Know

The registry covers public work; it is not a general license list, and a business may be a consultant or supplier rather than a builder.
Ask what trade the business does and which local licenses it holds.

Cost and Timing

As a planning figure, expect varies by project; public work has its own bidding rules. Typical lead time is varies by business and project. These are our own assumptions, so compare written bids.

Next: find contractors on New York’s public-work registry · compare bids · license rules by state

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