Hiring a contractor is one of the most stressful parts of a home renovation - and honestly, it shouldn't be. The stress usually comes from uncertainty: How do I know if this person is trustworthy? Is this quote reasonable? What if something goes wrong?
I've been working as a licensed contractor in Shakopee and the surrounding Twin Cities suburbs for years, and I've heard plenty of stories from homeowners who had difficult experiences with previous contractors before finding me. Those stories are frustrating to hear, because most of them were avoidable with a little upfront due diligence.
Here's exactly what I'd tell a close friend about how to hire a contractor for a remodeling project in our area.
Step One: Understand What You're Looking For
Before you start calling contractors, get clear on your project. You don't need to know every detail, but you should be able to articulate:
- What space are you renovating and what's the rough scope of work?
- What's your approximate budget range?
- What's your desired timeline?
- What are your top priorities (quality, speed, budget)?
The clearer you are upfront, the easier it is to communicate with contractors and compare bids meaningfully. Vague project descriptions lead to vague (and incomparable) quotes.
Step Two: Verify Licensing and Insurance
This is non-negotiable. In Minnesota, residential contractors must be licensed through the Department of Labor and Industry. Before you move forward with anyone, verify their license at the DLI website (dli.mn.gov).
A licensed contractor's number can be looked up in the state's online database. You should see an active license, no disciplinary actions, and a license in good standing. My own license number is BC808643, and I'm happy to have homeowners look it up.
You also want to confirm they carry:
- General liability insurance - protects you if damage occurs to your property
- Workers' compensation insurance - protects you if a worker is injured on your property
Ask for certificates of insurance and verify they're current. A contractor who gets defensive about providing these is waving a red flag.
Step Three: Get Referrals from People You Trust
Word of mouth is still the most reliable way to find a good contractor. Ask your neighbors - especially those with recently updated homes - who did their work and whether they'd hire them again. Ask on local Facebook groups like Shakopee Community or neighborhood groups in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, or Prior Lake.
Online reviews on Google are also meaningful, but pay attention to the patterns, not just the star count. Look for reviews that mention specifics: communication, cleanliness, quality of work, how problems were handled. A contractor with 50 reviews mentioning "clean, on time, and returned calls" tells you much more than a contractor with 200 generic five-star ratings.
Step Four: Get Three Quotes - And Make Sure They're Comparable
Three quotes is the standard, and it's good advice. But here's what most articles don't tell you: quotes are only useful if they're comparing the same thing.
If you give three contractors the same project description and get quotes of $18,000, $27,000, and $35,000, your instinct might be to go with the middle number. But those quotes could be for completely different scopes of work, different material quality, or different levels of finish.
When you get a quote, ask for a detailed written breakdown:
- What is included?
- What materials are being used (brand, grade, specifications)?
- What is explicitly excluded?
- Does this include permits?
- What are the payment terms?
Compare the scopes, not just the totals.
Step Five: Interview Your Top Candidates
Treat this like a job interview - because it is. A few questions I'd recommend asking:
"How long have you been doing this type of work?" Experience in the specific type of project matters. A contractor who does mostly bathroom renovations but has only done one kitchen in ten years may not be the best fit for your kitchen project.
"Do you do the work yourself or use subcontractors?" Both models can work well, but you should know the answer. If they use subcontractors, find out whether those subs are also licensed and insured.
"How do you handle unexpected problems or costs?" This question reveals a lot about a contractor's communication style and integrity. The honest answer is: they communicate promptly, document the change, and get your approval before proceeding with added cost. Any contractor who says "oh that never happens" is not telling the truth.
"Can I speak with two or three recent clients?" References should be offered willingly. If they're reluctant to provide them, that's a red flag.
"What does your communication process look like during the project?" Will you hear from them daily? Weekly? Who is your main point of contact? Good contractors are easy to reach and keep you informed.
Red Flags to Watch For
Over the years, I've seen homeowners get burned by contractors who exhibited these warning signs:
Asking for a Large Upfront Payment
A down payment of 10–30% is normal. Demanding 50% or more before starting work is a red flag. Some contractors collect large deposits and then disappear or juggle multiple projects without finishing any of them.
No Written Contract
Every project should have a written contract specifying scope, materials, payment schedule, timeline, and what happens if something changes. "I trust them" is not a substitute for a contract.
Unusually Low Bids
A quote that's significantly lower than others might feel like a deal, but it's often a sign that the contractor plans to cut corners on materials, skip permits, use unlicensed labor, or add costs through excessive change orders later. There's a floor to what quality work actually costs.
Pressure to Decide Quickly
"I can only hold this price until Friday" or "I have a big job starting next week but I could fit you in if you sign today" are sales tactics designed to prevent you from thinking carefully. A confident, reputable contractor doesn't need to pressure you.
No Permanent Address or Business Presence
Search their name, their business name, and their license number. Do they have a real business presence? A real website, real reviews, a physical address? This matters especially for larger projects.
What a Good Contractor Looks Like
Just as important as the red flags - here are the green flags:
- Shows up on time to your initial meeting
- Listens carefully and asks good questions before proposing solutions
- Provides a detailed written estimate
- Communicates clearly about timeline and process
- Doesn't try to upsell you on things you don't need
- Pulls permits as a matter of course
- Leaves the job site clean at the end of each day
- Is reachable and responsive throughout the project
This sounds like a low bar, but it's remarkable how much it matters when you're living through a renovation.
The Local Advantage
Working with a contractor who is truly local to the Shakopee and southern Twin Cities area matters more than it might seem. A local contractor knows the permit requirements for Scott County and the City of Shakopee, has relationships with local suppliers, understands the soil conditions and building challenges specific to Minnesota, and has a reputation in the community that they care about protecting.
When you hire someone from far away or from a large national platform, you're often dealing with a crew that has no connection to your community and no stake in building a long-term reputation here.
We serve homeowners throughout Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, Bloomington, Edina, and Minnetonka. You can see the full list at our service areas page.
Ready to Talk?
If you're planning a kitchen, bathroom, basement, or any other remodeling project and want to work with a licensed, local contractor who treats your home with care - I'd love to hear from you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. I'll come to your home, listen to what you're hoping to accomplish, and give you an honest picture of what it will take to get there.
You can also learn more about our approach to kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling on our services pages.