The Most Important Decision in Your Project
A great general contractor makes a renovation smooth; the wrong one turns it into a nightmare of delays, overruns, and shoddy work. Here is how to hire well in Massachusetts.
Verify the Essentials
- Massachusetts license — residential contractors should hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration and, for structural work, a Construction Supervisor License (CSL).
- Insurance — ask for proof of general liability and workers compensation. Without it, you can be liable for on-site injuries.
- Written contract — Massachusetts requires a written contract for home improvement work over a set amount, with a clear scope, payment schedule, and timeline.
Ask the Right Questions
- Can I see recent projects and references in my area?
- Who will be on site day to day?
- How do you handle permits and inspections?
- What is the payment schedule? (Avoid large upfront deposits.)
- How do you handle changes and surprises?
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- Pressure for a large cash deposit upfront — a common scam.
- No written contract or a vague one-line scope.
- No proof of license or insurance.
- A bid far below the others — usually means corners will be cut.
- Poor communication before you even hire them — it only gets worse.
- They want you to pull the permit — a licensed contractor should pull it under their own license.
What Good Looks Like
A solid GC communicates clearly, provides a detailed written estimate, pulls the permits, shows up when they say they will, and stands behind the work. RS Development Group is licensed, insured, and pulls every permit ourselves — and because we perform framing, roofing, and siding in-house, we control quality at every stage. See our general contractor services. We work across MetroWest and Greater Boston.
