10 Uncomfortable Questions to Ask a General Contractor Before You Hire Them for a Shower Remodel

A shower remodel is one of those projects where the problems don't show up on day one. On day one, everything looks great: new tile, clean grout, shiny glass. The trouble shows up in year two or three, as a soft spot by the drain, a stain on the ceiling below, or grout that keeps turning dark no matter how often you scrub it.

That's why the questions you ask before you sign matter more than the photos in anyone's portfolio. Some of these questions will feel awkward to ask a contractor sitting at your kitchen table in Bismarck or Mandan. Ask them anyway. A contractor who does the work right will answer each one without flinching, and you'll learn more from how they answer than from any brochure.

For each question, we explain why it matters, what a good answer sounds like, and how we answer it at Hugo Home Improvement, so you have a benchmark to compare against. Hold us to the same standard.

1. "Will your own employees be in my house, or subcontractors I've never met?"

Many remodeling companies sell the job and then hand it to whichever subcontractor is free that week. That isn't automatically bad, but you deserve to know who will have a key to your house, who is responsible if something gets damaged, and who shows up if the shower has a problem later.

A good answer: names the people or the crew, explains which trades (if any) are subcontracted, and confirms that everyone working in your home is covered by insurance.

Red flags: "We use a lot of different guys," or a vague answer about who supervises the job day to day.

How we answer: HHI coordinates the finish work and the specialty trades, and your estimate states who handles the plumbing and electrical. Our employees are covered through North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). Ask Viktor who will handle each part of your shower.

When you're ready to compare, get a written shower remodel estimate from us and use it as a benchmark for the rest.

2. "Can you email me your North Dakota contractor license and certificate of insurance today?"

In North Dakota, a contractor needs a state license when the cost of a job is more than $4,000, and most shower remodels are well past that line. To get licensed, contractors file proof of liability insurance in the same name as the license and, if they have North Dakota employees, a certificate from WSI. You can check whether a license is in good standing yourself through the North Dakota Secretary of State's contractor page and FirstStop search. Here's how to look up a North Dakota contractor license step by step.

A good answer: "Sure, here they are," usually within a few minutes. The name on the license and the insurance certificate should match the name on your contract.

Red flags: hesitation, a license under a different business name, or "you don't need to worry about that."

How we answer: we're licensed in the State of North Dakota (Contractor License No. 000050538), and you can ask our office for our license and insurance information before you sign anything.

3. "What exactly goes behind the tile, and can I see it before you cover it?"

This is the most important question on the list. Tile and grout are not waterproof. Grout is porous, so every shower pushes some water through the grout lines. What keeps that water out of your walls and subfloor is the waterproofing layer behind the tile. Once the tile is up, you'll never see it again.

Ask what the system is (a sheet membrane, a liquid-applied membrane, or just a backer board), how corners, seams, niches and the valve and drain penetrations are sealed, and whether the walls and floor are waterproofed as one connected system. Our guide explains how a shower should be waterproofed.

A good answer: a specific product and method, not "we seal it really well." A contractor who is proud of the waterproofing stage will be happy to show it to you.

How we answer: for a tiled shower, we identify the waterproofing system, such as Schluter-KERDI, in writing before installation. If you want to see the waterproofing before tile goes in, let us know before installation, and ask how the seams, corners and drain are checked.

Weighing tile against an acrylic liner? See our tile vs. acrylic insert comparison.

4. "How do you test the shower for leaks before the tile goes on?"

A common way to check a shower floor is a flood test: the drain is plugged, the waterproofed base is filled with water, and the level is checked after a set period to make sure nothing is escaping. It's simple, and it catches problems while they're still cheap to fix.

A good answer: describes an actual test and when it happens in the schedule.

Red flag: "We've never had a leak." That's a claim, not a test.

How we answer: the check depends on the waterproofing system, and we tell you which check applies to your shower and when you can see it before tile is installed. For KERDI, Schluter's instructions say to wait at least 24 hours after installation, under normal conditions, before a water test; the test itself is a separate step.

5. "What happens to my price if you find rot or mold when the old tub comes out?"

In older bathrooms, it's common to find surprises once the tub or old surround is removed: a slow leak that soaked the subfloor, rotted framing around the valve, or mold on the back of the old wallboard. Nobody can promise there's nothing behind the wall. What a contractor can promise is how they'll handle it.

A good answer: "We stop, show you what we found, explain your options, and give you a written price before we do any extra work."

Red flags: no process at all, or a contract that lets the contractor bill extra work without your written approval.

How we answer: if we find water damage, rot or framing issues behind the walls or floor, we show you, explain the options, and price it clearly before we proceed.

6. "What is NOT included in this estimate?"

Two shower estimates can be thousands of dollars apart and actually describe two different jobs. The difference usually hides in what's left out. Ask the contractor to walk you through the exclusions line by line. Items that commonly fall outside a "shower" price include:

• The glass door or enclosure
• The valve, shower head and trim (and who supplies them)
• Permits and inspections
• Drywall repair and paint outside the shower area
• Subfloor or framing repairs
• Haul-away and disposal of the old tub
• Exhaust fan or lighting changes

How we answer: our estimates are written and detail materials, labor and permits, so you can compare them line by line. If something isn't included, it should say so in writing.

7. "How do you get paid, and what do I owe before work starts?"

It's normal for a remodeler to ask for a deposit to secure your spot on the schedule and order materials. It's not normal to ask for most of the money before any work happens.

A good answer: a deposit, then payments tied to clear milestones (for example, after demo and waterproofing, and at completion), all written into the contract.

Red flags: large cash-only payments, pressure to pay in full up front, or a "today only" discount that requires a deposit on the spot.

How we answer: your estimate states the deposit, any milestones and the final balance. Our deposit is usually 50%, with the rest at completion or on a written milestone schedule. If you'd rather spread the cost out, you can compare personalized home improvement loan offers through Acorn Finance. Qualified applicants may see offers from $1,000 to $100,000. The lender sets your rate and repayment term. Checking initial offers uses a soft credit inquiry; moving forward may affect your credit score.

8. "What's your real timeline, and what usually blows it up?"

Every contractor has an optimistic timeline. Ask instead what typically causes delays: special-order tile, glass that can only be measured after the tile is finished, hidden damage, inspections, or a crew that's split across several jobs.

A good answer: a range, the order of the steps, and what would push the date.

How we answer: a straightforward prefab shower conversion takes about 2–3 working days once materials are on site, and a broader conversion about 3–7 working days as a planning guide. Custom tile work takes longer, and we confirm the schedule and first-use date before demolition. You'll get detailed timeline options after we see the space or your photos. If you're planning a conversion, our guide to tub-to-shower conversion cost and timeline breaks down each stage.

9. "What does your warranty cover in writing, and who do I call in year two?"

"Lifetime warranty" can mean a lot of different things. A product warranty comes from the manufacturer and covers defective materials. A workmanship warranty comes from the contractor and covers installation. They are not the same, and the second one is the one that matters if your shower leaks because of how it was built.

A good answer: both warranties explained separately, with the length, what's covered and excluded, whether it transfers to a new owner, and how to file a claim.

How we answer: our projects come with a one-year workmanship warranty and a free 12-month check-up; product coverage depends on the manufacturer and the item installed. For the check-up, we contact you after a full North Dakota winter and summer. In year two or any time, service requests go to our office at (701) 929-8727 with the project address, installation date, a description and photos if available. Read what our warranty covers in writing before you compare it with anyone else's.

10. "Can I see a shower you built at least a year ago?"

Brand-new showers all look good. A shower that has been used every day for a year or more tells you much more: whether the grout lines are still clean, the caulk joints are intact, and the glass still closes cleanly.

A good answer: photos of older jobs, or an offer to connect you with a past client.

How we answer: we can show you completed projects that homeowners have allowed us to share, and walk you through what was done.

Is a shower remodel actually a hard job?

The parts you can see are the easy parts. The hard parts get covered up: sloping the floor to the drain, tying the drain into the waterproofing, sealing every corner and pipe opening, and setting the valve at the right depth. Those steps decide whether a shower lasts, which is why questions 3 and 4 carry the most weight.

What not to say to a contractor while you're collecting estimates

A few common phrases make it harder to compare bids or hold anyone to their word:

• "Just do whatever you think is best." Agree on tile, base, glass and fixtures in writing, or every bid prices a different shower.
• "We don't need that in the contract." If it matters, it belongs in the scope: waterproofing system, leak test, cleanup, warranty.
• "Can we skip the permit?" Unpermitted work can cause insurance and resale problems, and it tells a contractor you'll accept shortcuts.
• "Whoever's cheapest gets it." You'll get the cheapest version of every line item. Compare scope first, then price.

How to use these questions

Ask every contractor you're considering the same ten questions, and write down the answers. When the estimates come in, compare the answers before you compare the totals. A lower price with vague answers on waterproofing, hidden damage and warranty usually costs more by year three.

Getting a shower estimate in Bismarck-Mandan

When you're ready, Call or text Viktor at (701) 329-9659 with your town, photos and what you want to change. Our office follows up during business hours. Add a few photos of your current shower, or request a free written estimate through the form on this page. We come see the space and put the scope, price and schedule in writing. Then ask us all ten questions.