What to Look for Before Hiring a General Contractor in Austin

Green Flags Worth Looking For

• ▪Clear, written scopes — not vague verbal estimates
• ▪Real photos of past work, not just stock images
• ▪Honest answers about timeline and price tradeoffs
• ▪A willingness to walk the property in person
• ▪References when you ask
• ▪Insurance verification on request
• ▪A clear point of contact and project communication plan

Red Flags That Should Stop You

• ▪Pressure to sign immediately
• ▪Refusal to put the scope in writing
• ▪Promises of guaranteed insurance approvals
• ▪Cash-only requirements with no contract
• ▪No verifiable address, vehicle markings, or company history
• ▪Unwillingness to share insurance information
• ▪Massive deposit requirements before any work begins
• ▪Quotes wildly higher or lower than the rest of the market

Questions Worth Asking

• ▪How will this scope be sequenced across trades?
• ▪What happens if you find hidden damage during demo?
• ▪How do change orders get handled and priced?
• ▪Who is the project manager I'll communicate with?
• ▪What's your warranty on workmanship?
• ▪Who pulls permits and handles inspections?

Why Single-Trade Installers Are Different From GCs

A roofer is great at roofing. A tile setter is great at tile. But neither one is a project manager, and most home projects need someone coordinating across multiple trades, schedules, and sequences. A real general contractor adds value precisely because they manage that complexity — and protect the homeowner from the cost of bad sequencing.