Third-generation contractor Rolf Bell began his career at 12 years old, working for his father on weekends in Marin. Today, Mr. Bell channels his years of expertise into Green Living Builders LLC, his Berkeley-based, full service repair and remodeling company.

Green Living Builders is known for its extensive range of services, handling everything from bathroom/kitchen remodels and apartment renovations to termite repairs and seismic upgrades. “We’re a very versatile company,” confirms Mr. Bell. “We can handle small repairs or large additions. Our subcontractors do fine cabinetry and trim work, as well as difficult repairs on custom and older homes, and we have people with expert knowledge of surfaces such as floor coverings and countertops.”

A former supervisor and building team leader for Habitat for Humanity (a position that took him as far as New Zealand, Poland and Botswana), Mr. Bell brings an exuberance to home renovation that he feels is missing in the industry. “My philosophy is remodeling should be fun,” he says. “We work hard to lower our clients’ stress by making their home transformation enjoyable.” Customers often remark about what a pleasurable experience their remodel was, he adds.

Because Mr. Bell has so much industry experience, he knows it’s crucial for Green Living Builders to diligently meet deadlines, especially for real estate deals and large, expensive remodeling projects. ‘We’re very time sensitive,” he says, “even if there are a number of subcontractors involved. I’ve been coordinating large projects since early in my life, so I’m able to keep tabs on numerous moving pieces of a remodel.”

Green Living Builders also fixes older, dilapidated homes–a specialty that directly relates to Mr. Bell’s years of practice. “As a second-generation remodeler and a third-generation contractor, I can work on older homes and give them the same level of detail from which they were originally built,” he explains.

When looking for a contractor, it’s imperative to know what questions to ask. If you’re starting a remodeling project and the ins and outs of the industry are over your head, consider the following as a blueprint for interviewing firms.

How long have you been in business? Look for a company with an established business history in your community. Surviving in any business in today’s competitive marketplace is difficult, so most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry.

Do you carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance? Ask for copies of the insurance certificates to verify coverage. “It only takes one person to fall off a ladder to really mess up your life,” says Rolf Bell, owner of Green Living Builders LLC in Berkeley. “If a company isn’t carrying workers’ comp and liability insurance, the homeowner is at fault.”

Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job? Also ask whom you should contact if the supervisor isn’t available. Get exact names and phone numbers for all people who’ll be involved in the project. “Quality control is maintained or lost based on the continuous communication, direction and training provided by the contractor and the primary foreman,” says Mr. Bell.

What’s the time frame for starting the project? Ask questions about work schedules. You should find out when they expect to be finished, how early their crew will begin work, when the crew normally quits for the day, and if you’ll be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule.

What’s your approach to a project of this scope? This will give you an idea of how the contractor works and what to expect during the project. Listen carefully to the answer—it’s a big indicator of the company’s work ethic.

How is your firm organized? You should know what parts of your project will be handled by staff, and which will be contracted out to independent contractors.

Are you a full service or specialty firm? If you’re planning a small project, you may be better off hiring a specialty firm. However, if your project involves multiple changes, entire rooms or additions, you should consult a full service or design-build firm.

Do you offer design services? If you’re considering a large or involved project, you’ll need design services. If the contractor doesn’t have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may even need a structural engineer.

Are any of your employees certified? Trade certifications are good indicators of dedication, professionalism and knowledge of the industry. Remodelers are required to meet certain industry criteria to maintain their certifications.

Can I have a list of references for projects you’ve completed that are similar to mine? The contractor should be able to supply you with a minimum of three references, including names, telephone numbers and addresses. As a follow-up to this question, ask how long ago the project was completed and if the contractor can arrange a visit to see the finished job. You should also ask for professional references from suppliers, financial institutions or subcontractors to verify sound business practices.

How many projects like mine have you completed in the past 12 months? This will help you determine the contractor’s familiarity with your type of project. You should confirm that a good portion of those completed projects were similar to the type of project you’re proposing.

Will I need a permit? Most cities and towns require permits for building projects. Failure to obtain the necessary permits or to arrange obligatory inspections can be illegal. In some cases, if a project violates a zoning law or some other regulations, it may even have to be demolished if there’s no way to comply with the law. A qualified remodeling contractor will be conscious of the permit process and ensure all permits have been obtained before initiating any work.

Can I have a list of your suppliers? Calling a contractor’s suppliers will help protect you from mechanics liens for nonpayment by the contractor. Suppliers also can be a source to establish a company’s credit history.

Q: What are the types of questions your female customers ask?

A: Typically, female customers have a desire to understand the repair or remodeling sequence, so they know what to expect. They want to be certain we have the expertise to do what they’re requesting. Women also want assistance with critical decision timelines, so they know their remodeling job is being kept on schedule.

Q: Do you pull permits?

A: We pull permits probably 75 percent of the time. We always give clients the option to do a project fully permitted, and we tell them the consequences of doing it either way.

Q: What’s your stance on job site cleanliness?

A: I always ask clients to give me their requirements for cleanliness, and I’ll explain my philosophy: The cleaner we make a job site, the more time it’ll take to perform the job. If a client needs to come home to a clean house every night, we’ll completely clean and dust it. If they want the work to be done as quickly as possible, we’ll put up a vapor barrier and spend more time building. I really listen to what a client’s cleanliness preference is and respond accordingly.

Q: Do you offer design/build services as well?

A: No, but I have numerous concept architects and interior designers who are great to work with for projects that need this level of design.

Q: How soon can you begin working on my project?

A: I begin by asking clients about their desired outcome. When do they want to start the project? When do they want to have it completed? Once they share that information with me, I’ll immediately respond with a clear answer. I don’t lead on clients and then underperform—I’ll give a yes or no answer based on their timeline needs.

Q: How do you handle security on site?

A: About 80 percent of our clients give us their keys and alarm codes. We’ve never had a client complain about something being lost or stolen by anyone in my crew or any of my subcontractors. I have a trustworthy network made up of people who’ve never let me down.

Q: Do you use lockboxes?

A: Our jobs last anywhere between four hours and four months, so using a lockbox depends on the site. Most of the time, we don’t bring a big container, park it in a driveway and lock everything inside. We usually work with clients to find a space in their basement or garage for securing tools and other valuables. That approach has worked well for us.