Ten questions on paying on time, respect and hovering, decision speed, reasonableness and discount seeking. You get a score out of 100, a verdict, and the exact terms to tighten before you sign.
How did they react to a deposit or progress-payment schedule? 01 · Pays on time
How did they react to a deposit or progress-payment schedule?
Refused any deposit Pushed back hard Negotiated but agreed Agreed without friction Offered to pay ahead
Any sign of past disputes, chargebacks or unpaid trades? 02 · Pays on time
Any sign of past disputes, chargebacks or unpaid trades?
Known non-payment Rumors of disputes Unclear / no history Clean as far as I can tell Verified good payer
How realistic are their expectations on scope and timeline? 03 · Reasonable
How realistic are their expectations on scope and timeline?
Verbal, keeps shifting Vague sketch Written but thin Detailed written scope Detailed scope + drawings
Have they already asked for 'quick extras' off the quote? 04 · Reasonable
Have they already asked for 'quick extras' off the quote?
Constantly A few times Once Not yet Explicitly respects change orders
Tone in the first conversations, and do they hover? 05 · Respect (Hovering)
Tone in the first conversations, and do they hover?
Aggressive, hovers constantly Condescending, watches every move Transactional, checks in often Courteous, lets the crew work Collaborative and hands-off
How do they talk about the last contractor? 06 · Respect (Hovering)
How do they talk about the last contractor?
Trashes everyone Blames all of them Mixed feelings Fair and specific Speaks well of them
How hard did they push on price before you even bid? 07 · Discount seeker
How hard did they push on price before you even bid?
Demanded a discount up front Name-dropped cheaper bids Asked once about price Focused on value, not price Never mentioned discounts
How do they treat line items, allowances and change-order pricing? 08 · Discount seeker
How do they treat line items, allowances and change-order pricing?
Grinds every line item Nickels and dimes extras Questions a few numbers Accepts fair pricing Pays list without haggling
Who signs, and are they in the room? 09 · Decision speed
Who signs, and are they in the room?
Unknown / committee Absent partner decides Two people, disagree One decision maker One decision maker, decisive
How fast do they respond to questions? 10 · Decision speed
How fast do they respond to questions?
Ghosts for days Slow and vague Eventually Same day Within the hour
