10/23/2026
Three questions. Ask them before you sign anything, to every contractor you're considering.
1. What waterproofing system are you installing, and can I see it in writing?
This is the single biggest hidden variable in a bathroom quote. Anyone who does it properly will answer instantly and probably show you a photo.
2. Who buys the finishes, and what happens if one arrives late?
If you're buying the tile and it's short, whose problem is that? A good answer names the person and the plan. A bad answer is a shrug.
3. How is a change priced, and who signs it?
Scope grows on almost every job. The question is whether it's priced and signed before the work happens, or discovered on the invoice after.
None of these are gotcha questions. Every one has a good answer, and a contractor doing the work properly will be pleased you asked — it means they're being compared on something other than price.
Screenshot this before your next estimate. Which of the three has nobody ever answered for you?