How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor in Reno, NV
The 10-point checklist that protects your money, your timeline, and your sanity. Written by a licensed Nevada contractor.
Hiring the wrong contractor is the most expensive mistake a homeowner can make. In Reno, we see it constantly: homeowners who chose the cheapest bid end up paying double to fix the work, or worse, get left with an unfinished project and no recourse.
This guide gives you the exact checklist we'd want our own family to use. Whether you hire us or someone else, these steps will protect you.
1Verify Their Nevada License
This is non-negotiable. Nevada law requires a contractor's license for any project over $1,000. Working with an unlicensed contractor means:
- No recourse through the Nevada State Contractors Board if something goes wrong
- Your homeowner's insurance may not cover damage from unlicensed work
- Permits won't be pulled, which creates problems at resale
- No bond to recover from if they disappear
How to Check
Go to nvcontractorsboard.com and search by license number or company name. Verify the license is active and matches the classification needed for your project. For residential remodeling, look for B-2 (Residential) or B-7 (Carpentry/Remodeling).
2Confirm Insurance Coverage
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that shows:
General Liability
$1M minimum. Covers property damage during construction.
Workers Comp
Required in NV. Protects you if a worker is injured on your property.
Surety Bond
Required by NV. Financial guarantee the work will be completed.
Pro tip: Ask to be named as "additional insured" on their policy for the duration of your project.
3Check Recent Local References
Ask for 3 references from projects completed in the last 12 months, in the Reno/Sparks area. Then actually call them. Questions to ask:
- Did the project finish on time and on budget?
- How did they handle unexpected issues or changes?
- Were they easy to communicate with during the project?
- Would you hire them again?
- Was the final quality what you expected?
4Demand a Detailed Written Contract
Nevada law requires a written contract for projects over $1,000. Your contract should include:
5Compare Bids Properly (Not Just Price)
Get 3 bids minimum. But the lowest price almost never means the best value. Here's what to compare:
| Compare | Good Sign | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Scope detail | Line-by-line breakdown | One lump sum, no detail |
| Timeline | Specific weeks with milestones | "We'll get it done fast" |
| Payment | Tied to milestones (10% deposit) | 50%+ upfront |
| Materials | Specific brands and models | "Standard" or "builder grade" |
| Price | Within 15% of other bids | 30%+ below everyone else |
5 More Things to Check
Communication Style
How fast do they return calls? Do they explain things clearly? The way they communicate during the bid process is how they'll communicate during your project.
Who Does the Actual Work?
Ask if they use their own crew or subcontractors. Both can work well, but you want to know who's showing up at your house every day and who manages quality control.
Online Reputation
Check Google reviews, Yelp, and BBB. Look for patterns in negative reviews (communication issues, timeline problems, quality concerns). A few bad reviews are normal; patterns are not.
Permit History
Ask if they pull permits for their projects. You can verify at washoecounty.gov/building. Contractors who skip permits are cutting corners you'll pay for at resale.
Warranty in Writing
Get the warranty terms in your contract. Industry standard is 1-2 years on labor, manufacturer warranties on materials. If they won't put it in writing, they won't honor it.
Ready to Get Started?
Profusion Construction is a licensed Nevada contractor (#0094647) serving Reno, Sparks, and Carson City. We provide detailed written estimates, pull all permits, and communicate clearly throughout your project.