How to Choose a General Contractor on Long Island

Choosing the right general contractor can make the difference between a renovation that goes smoothly and one that turns into a nightmare. On Long Island, where construction costs are significant and permits are mandatory, hiring a qualified, honest contractor is especially important. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you find the right person for your project.

Verify Their License

In New York State, general contractors working on residential projects are required to hold a Home Improvement (HI) license issued by the local municipality. On Long Island, this means your contractor should be licensed through either Nassau County or Suffolk County, depending on where your property is located. Some towns and villages have their own additional licensing requirements.

A legitimate contractor will have no problem providing their license number. You can verify it through your county’s consumer affairs office:

Nassau County: Department of Consumer Affairs
Suffolk County: Department of Consumer Affairs

If a contractor can’t produce a valid license or tells you they don’t need one, walk away. An unlicensed contractor puts you at legal and financial risk, and any work they do may not pass inspection.

Confirm Insurance Coverage

Every general contractor should carry at least two types of insurance:

General liability insurance protects you if the contractor damages your property or if someone is injured on the job site.
Workers’ compensation insurance covers the contractor’s employees if they’re injured while working at your home.

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and verify that it’s current. A reputable contractor will provide this without hesitation. If they don’t have workers’ comp and one of their workers gets hurt on your property, you could be held liable.

Get Multiple Estimates

Get at least three written estimates from licensed contractors. This gives you a realistic picture of what your project should cost and helps you identify outliers. Be wary of any estimate that’s significantly lower than the others. That usually means the contractor is cutting corners, planning to use inferior materials, or will hit you with change orders once work begins.

A good estimate should be detailed and itemized, not just a single lump sum. It should break down costs for materials, labor, permits, and any subcontractor work. This transparency makes it easier to compare bids apples-to-apples.

At JZ Development, our estimates for full home renovations and other projects are always detailed and transparent, with no hidden fees.

Check References and Past Work

Ask every contractor for references from recent projects similar to yours. Then actually call those references. Here are the questions that matter most:

Was the project completed on time and on budget?
How did the contractor handle problems or unexpected issues?
Was communication consistent throughout the project?
Would you hire them again?

Beyond references, look at the contractor’s portfolio of completed work. Photos are helpful, but visiting a completed project in person is even better if the homeowner is willing.

Online reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau can also provide insight, but take individual reviews with a grain of salt. Look for patterns rather than focusing on any single review.

Know the Red Flags

Here are warning signs that a contractor may not be trustworthy:

No written contract. A handshake deal offers you no protection. Every legitimate contractor provides a written contract.
Demands full payment upfront. A reasonable deposit is normal (typically 10-30% of the project cost), but a contractor who wants the full amount before starting work is a major red flag.
No physical address or office. They should have a verifiable business presence.
Pressure to sign immediately. “This price is only good today” is a classic high-pressure tactic used by contractors who don’t want you to comparison shop.
Won’t pull permits. If a contractor suggests skipping permits to save time or money, that’s a serious red flag. Unpermitted work can result in fines, failed inspections, and problems when you sell your home.
No written estimate. If they won’t put the price in writing, they’re leaving room to inflate costs later.
Cash-only requests. Legitimate businesses accept checks and credit cards. Cash-only requests are often a sign of an unlicensed operator trying to avoid a paper trail.

What a Good Contractor Provides

A professional general contractor should provide the following on every project:

Written Contract

The contract should clearly state the scope of work, materials to be used, total cost, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and warranty information. It should also address how change orders will be handled. Read the entire contract before signing. If something isn’t clear, ask.

Building Permits

For most significant projects on Long Island, building permits are required. Your contractor should handle the permit application process and schedule all required inspections. This ensures the work is done to code and protects you legally.

Clear Timeline

You should receive a project timeline with milestones. While some delays are inevitable in construction, a good contractor communicates proactively about any schedule changes and explains why they’re happening.

Regular Communication

The best contractors keep you informed throughout the project. You should know what’s happening each week, what’s coming next, and whether there are any issues to address. This is one of the things we prioritize most at JZ Development on every renovation project we take on.

Clean Job Site

A well-managed job site is organized and cleaned up at the end of each work day. This shows professionalism and respect for your home.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Use this list when interviewing contractors:

Are you licensed and insured? (Ask for proof of both.)
How long have you been in business on Long Island?
Will you pull all necessary permits?
Who will be on site managing the project day-to-day?
How do you handle change orders?
What is your payment schedule?
What is the estimated timeline for my project?
Do you use subcontractors? If so, are they licensed and insured?
What warranty do you offer on your work?
Can you provide references from similar projects?

The way a contractor answers these questions tells you a lot. A professional will answer confidently and transparently. Someone who gets defensive or vague is probably not the right fit.

Why Local Experience Matters

Long Island has unique construction considerations. Our soil conditions, coastal weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and local building codes all affect how projects should be planned and executed. A contractor who has worked extensively across Nassau and Suffolk County understands these factors and builds accordingly.

Local experience also means established relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, and building inspectors, which helps keep your project moving smoothly.

Don’t Rush the Decision

Hiring a general contractor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your home improvement project. Take the time to verify credentials, compare estimates, check references, and trust your instincts. A contractor who earns your trust before the project starts is far more likely to deliver a result you’re happy with.

Get a Free Estimate from JZ Development

We’ve been serving Long Island homeowners for over 25 years with honest, quality work on renovations, masonry, concrete, and more. We’re licensed, insured, and happy to answer any questions you have. Call (631) 605-9851 for a free estimate, or contact us online to get started.