Before you hire someone to renovate your bathroom, you need to know what kind of contractor you’re really bringing into your home. In this article, I’ll walk you through the most important questions to ask upfront—like who’s doing the work, how clean the job will be, and how well they’ll communicate—so your renovation doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
As someone who’s been in the renovation game for years here at Raakss Reno, I’ve learned that successful renovations are built on more than just good tiling and plumbing. They’re built on clear expectations, open communication, and mutual trust.
How Many People Will Be in My House, and When?
This is one of the most common and reasonable questions I get. Homeowners want to know: how many people are coming through my front door every day? Are we talking about one lead contractor or an entire crew? And what are their work hours?
This is especially important if you’ve got kids, shift workers, or if your home has condo noise restrictions. I always work with my clients to plan around schedules. No one wants jackhammering during dinner or power saws at 7AM.
Can I Still Live in My House During the Renovation?
Yes, most of the time you can. But it depends on how big the job is and how well-contained the work is. If it’s a full gut with a lot of demolition dust or if your only bathroom is under renovation, you might want to make other plans.
Some contractors juggle multiple projects and might disappear halfway through your job. That’s not how we operate. At Raakss Reno, we take on one project at a time to make sure it gets done quickly and cleanly. A typical 3-piece bathroom takes us about 2 weeks, start to finish.
Can You Help Me Select Materials?
Absolutely. We know how overwhelming it can be to walk into a tile shop or scroll endlessly through vanity options. I’m happy to recommend quality products that match your budget and design goals. We’ve even put together a few helpful guides, like:
Do You Take Deposits Upfront?
This is a red flag you’ll want to pay close attention to. A lot of contractors ask for a hefty deposit before they’ve even started your job. I personally don’t believe in that. I only take payment once the job is done—or at most, I might ask for reimbursement on materials.
To me, it’s a sign of trust and professionalism. You shouldn’t have to pay for work you haven’t seen.
What’s Your Process Like?
Here’s what I do: I visit your home in person, take measurements, and ask about your vision. Are you looking to redo the layout completely or just upgrade the finishes? Once I know that, I provide a quote and timeline. You’ll always know what to expect, step by step.
I also ask a lot of questions. Why? Because good communication is everything in a bathroom reno. If your contractor doesn’t ask you where you want your mirror, your outlets, your towel rack—that’s a problem.
Don’t Assume We Can Read Your Mind
This one’s big. I’ve had clients get upset because an outlet wasn’t exactly 2 inches to the right or a niche wasn’t centered perfectly. The truth is, if you don’t tell your contractor what you want in exact detail, they’ll make the call based on best judgment.
That might work fine if you’re easygoing—but if you’re particular, tell us up front. The more specific you are, the better we can match your vision.
And if you’re not sure what you want? That’s okay too. We’ll offer suggestions and let you know what works and what might not. That’s part of our job.
What Are Your Work Hours and Boundaries?
Ask about when the contractor plans to be on-site. Do they respect your family’s routine? Are they flexible? In some homes, we can’t start before 9AM. In others, we’re asked to wrap up before dinner. A good contractor respects your household’s flow.
We’ve even had clients with pets or newborns that we schedule around—so don’t be shy about bringing up your needs.
What Else Should I Be Asking?
Here are a few bonus questions I think every homeowner should ask:
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Do you clean up at the end of each day?
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Are you insured and licensed?
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Can I see photos of past projects? (See ours here)
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What happens if something goes wrong after the job is done?
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Do you provide a warranty?
And maybe most importantly: Do you do one job at a time? If your contractor is hopping between five different projects, yours won’t be finished anytime soon.
Here’s What to Watch Out For
🚩 A contractor who’s vague about timelines
🚩 Asking for full payment upfront
🚩 Avoids answering your questions directly
🚩 Doesn’t offer to put anything in writing
🚩 Doesn’t ask YOU enough questions
Need Help With Your Bathroom Renovation?
If you’re looking for bathroom renovations in Toronto or the GTA, my team and I would love to help. Whether you’re planning a budget-friendly remodel or looking for a full ensuite bathroom upgrade, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Start with a consultation, and we’ll show you how simple and smooth the process can be.
👉 Contact us now to get started.