Hiring a contractor on Oʻahu: a checklist

A short checklist to keep handy before you sign, from permits to salt air.

Before you call anyone

Decide your must-haves, a rough budget range and your ideal timeline. Note anything specific to your home, like HOA rules for condos.

When you talk to contractors

Ask about licensing, insurance, who will be on site, and how they handle changes. Ask whether permits are needed and who will pull them.

Think about island conditions

Salt air, sun and rain affect materials and schedules. Ask which products they recommend for your area and how weather could shift the timeline.

Before you sign

Make sure the agreement lists the scope, the milestones and amounts, how changes are handled, and what “done” means for the final walkthrough.