SmartHire Contractor Hiring Guide & Toolkit
Hiring a Contractor? Avoid Scams, Cost Overruns & Stress.
Hiring a contractor can feel overwhelming — and for good reason. Each year, homeowners lose money to unclear scopes, inflated bids, poor workmanship, or contractors who never finish the job. Even well-meaning homeowners often don’t know what to ask, what to verify, or how to compare bids confidently. This toolkit doubles as a comprehensive contractor hiring guide to help you avoid those risks and hire the right pro the first time.
To make the process even easier, the SmartHire Kit also includes a sample contractor agreement template so you know exactly what a strong, fair agreement should look like before you sign anything.
That’s why we created the AHA SmartHire Contractor Hiring Toolkit — a step-by-step resource to help you plan your project clearly, vet contractors properly, compare bids the right way, and hire with confidence.
It’s packed with expert tips, printable worksheets, checklists, and templates that empower you to avoid scams, prevent costly mistakes, and protect both your home and your budget. With SmartHire, you’ll know exactly what to do before, during, and after hiring — so your project stays on track from start to finish.
What’s Inside the SmartHire Contractor Hiring Toolkit
🗂 Project Planning Guide
A simple walkthrough to help you define your project clearly — scope, materials, layout notes, non-negotiables, risks, and timeline preferences. This prevents misunderstandings so contractors bid on the same job and supports more accurate hiring decisions.
📄 Scope Sheet for Contractors
A guide to creat a contractor-ready scope you can hand to bidders. Ensures everyone quotes the same materials, methods, and deliverables — making bids consistent and comparable during the hiring process.
📊 Contractor Comparison Grid
A side-by-side worksheet to evaluate licenses, insurance, experience, communication, timelines, and bid quality so you can identify red flags and choose the strongest contractor.
🎤 Interview Questions
Ready-to-use questions for phone screens and estimates. Covers workload, change orders, timelines, crew structure, warranties, and communication — giving you clarity about who you’re hiring.
📑 Contract Checklist
A concise list of what your agreement must include: scope, materials, milestones, payments, warranties, debris removal, and dispute/termination terms. Works with your contractor’s contract or the included contract template.
💸 Payment, Lien & Change Order Logs
Printable forms to track payments, lien waivers, subcontractor releases, and change orders. Helps you avoid surprise liens, budget drift, and “he-said/she-said” disputes.
Who Should Use This Toolkit?
Whether you’re planning a small repair, a remodel, or a major renovation, this toolkit is for any homeowner who wants to hire confidently — without getting taken advantage of or overwhelmed by the process. Use it if you want to:
- Avoid contractor scams, inflated bids, and risky agreements
- Plan your project clearly so contractors bid on the same work
- Compare contractors side-by-side with confidence
- Protect your home, your budget, and your peace of mind
How This Contractor Hiring Guide Helps You Save
Save hundreds or even thousands by preventing bad hires, surprise change orders, and budget creep — before they happen.
This toolkit helps guide you through the entire hiring process:
- Define your project scope, materials, and timeline so there are no “gray areas”
- Gather clear, comparable bids using contractor-ready worksheets
- Spot red flags in licenses, insurance, communication, and pricing
- Track payments, lien waivers, and change orders to avoid costly disputes
More Than a Checklist — It’s Hiring Confidence
Hiring a contractor doesn’t have to feel risky or complicated. With this toolkit, you get:
- Clear, friendly checklists that tell you exactly what to ask and look for
- Worksheets, comparison grids, and a contractor scope sheet
- Expert guidance on interviews, contracts, payments, and protections
- A smarter, more proactive approach to managing your project from start to finish
This is your how-to guide when you need it most.
Download the AHA SmartHire Contractor Kit and take control of your next project — with the tools, language, and support to hire the right pro with confidence.
And if you’re looking for ongoing support, savings, and 24/7 access to expert help,
explore the benefits of becoming an AHA member.