Picking the wrong remodeler is expensive. A lot of Utah County homeowners have been burned: a low bid that grew, a crew that vanished, a job that never got finished. The good news is you can spot a bad fit before you sign. You just have to ask the right questions.
Here are the 10 questions we tell people to ask any contractor. Ask them out loud, on the first visit. A good contractor will answer all of them without flinching. If someone dodges, gets annoyed, or rushes you to sign, that is your answer.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
This is the first question, every time. In Utah, a remodeler should hold a state contractor license and carry insurance. The license means the state checks their work. The insurance means if a worker gets hurt or something gets damaged, you are not the one paying for it.
Ask to see proof. A real contractor will hand it over and not blink. If they get cagey, walk away.
2. Is the price in writing?
A number said out loud is not a price. It is a guess. You want one clear price, on paper, before any work starts. The written price should spell out what is included and what is not.
Beware the "we will figure out the final cost as we go" line. That is how a $30,000 job turns into a $50,000 surprise. Get the number in writing first.
3. Who actually answers the phone?
When you call during the job, who picks up? Is it the owner, or a voicemail you never hear back from? This matters more than people think. Most of the horror stories start the same way: the homeowner could not reach anyone.
Ask for the name and number of the person you will talk to. Make sure it is a real person who runs your job, not a call center.
4. Do you use subcontractors, and are they vetted?
Most remodelers use subs for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other trades. That is normal and fine. What matters is whether those subs are good and whether the contractor stands behind them.
Ask how long they have worked with their subs. The best crews are made of trusted trade partners who show up the same way every time, not whoever was cheap and free that week.
5. Who manages the trades day to day?
A remodel has a lot of moving parts. Someone has to line up the plumber, then the electrician, then the drywall, in the right order. If no one is running that, the job stalls and you end up playing manager yourself.
Ask point blank: who schedules the trades and keeps them on track? You want one person in charge, start to finish.
The short version: with Lynnwood, the answers are simple. We are licensed and insured. You get one honest price in writing before we start. You deal with Dakota the whole way, not a salesman. Our subs are vetted owner-operators we have worked with for years. And Dakota runs the trades himself, so the job moves and gets finished. Get a free in-home estimate
6. Will you pull the permit?
Most remodels in Utah County need a city permit. Basements, additions, moving walls, new wiring, and new plumbing all need one. The permit means the work gets inspected and built to code.
Some contractors skip the permit to save time. That can cost you later when you sell or refinance. A good contractor pulls the permit, builds to code, and handles the inspections for you.
7. What is the timeline?
Ask when the job starts and when it ends. You will not get a perfect date, and that is okay. What you want is an honest range and a contractor who will keep you updated if things shift.
Watch out for anyone who promises a wildly short timeline to win the job. Real work takes real time. A clear, honest timeline beats a fast promise that falls apart.
8. How do you handle change orders?
A change order is when something changes mid-job: you pick a different tile, or the crew opens a wall and finds a problem. It happens on almost every remodel.
Ask how changes get priced and approved. The right answer is simple: nothing changes the price unless you see it in writing and sign off first. No surprise bills at the end.
"We had a wonderful experience working with Dakota and his subs. He will actually do what he says he will do and does a great job. I would highly recommend him!"
Brent Molen · Verified Google review9. Can I see reviews and references?
A contractor with happy customers will have proof. Real reviews. Past clients you can call. Photos of finished work. Ask for all three.
Read the reviews for patterns, not just star counts. Do people say the contractor showed up, communicated, and finished? Those are the words that matter. You can read our verified Google reviews to see what Utah County homeowners say about working with us.
10. What happens if something goes wrong?
No job is perfect. A pipe leaks. A finish needs a touch-up. The question is what the contractor does about it. A good one fixes it without a fight.
Ask if they offer a warranty and how they handle problems after the job. The best contractors stand behind their work and come back to make it right. That is the difference between a one-time crew and someone you call again.
How Lynnwood answers all 10
We built our business on these answers. We are a small, family-owned shop in Spanish Fork, and Dakota runs every job himself. You get one honest price in writing, you deal with Dakota and not a commission salesman, our subs are vetted owner-operators, we pull the permits, and we finish the job.
That is why most of our work comes from referrals and repeat clients. If you want a remodeler who answers all 10 questions the right way, see our whole-home remodeling page or just reach out.
"He knows what he is doing, shows up when he says he will, and his pricing is very fair. I refer him to numerous clients and have for years."
Aren Bybee · Verified Google review