The Contractor Checklist
17 questions to ask before signing a metal building contract — free, no email required.
Why this checklist exists
A metal building is one of the largest single purchases most Texas property owners ever make. The difference between a good contractor and a bad one is usually visible before contract signing — if you know what to ask.
These are the same questions Structural Solutions Group recommends every owner ask before signing — including ours. There are no trick questions, and no answer that earns a gold star. Only specific, in-writing answers, or vague ones.
No email required. Print it, write on it, take it to your next contractor meeting.
Free PDF
SSG Contractor Checklist
- 17 questions every owner should ask
- Notes on what to look for in each answer
- Print-ready, designed to bring to meetings
- No email gate, no signup
What's inside
All 17 questions — preview them here, then download the PDF for the full notes.
- 1Do you provide a firm bid or just an estimate?
- 2Who handles foundation, steel erection, and engineering — one company or multiple subs?
- 3What's your material warranty period and what does it cover?
- 4How do you handle change orders and unexpected costs?
- 5Are you licensed and insured in Texas, and can you provide proof?
- 6Who is my single point of contact throughout the project?
- 7What's your typical project timeline from contract signing to handoff?
- 8Do you stamp engineering drawings in-house, or sub it out?
- 9Who pulls permits — you or me?
- 10Is the foundation included in your bid, or quoted separately?
- 11What's your payment schedule?
- 12How do you handle weather delays?
- 13What happens if a subcontractor causes a delay or quality issue?
- 14Can I see the spec sheets for the steel and components you'll use?
- 15What's the wind/snow load rating for the building you're proposing?
- 16Do you provide a final walkthrough and punch list?
- 17What's covered post-completion if I have issues in year 1, 5, or 10?
Why these questions matter
Firm bid vs estimate
An estimate is a guess. A firm bid is a contractual price. The difference is whose budget absorbs surprises.
Single-source vs subs
Multiple subcontractors means you become the project manager. Single-source delivery means one team owns the outcome.
In writing or it didn't happen
Verbal commitments do not survive change orders, weather delays, or staff turnover. Get the answers in writing.
FAQ
Why is this checklist free?+
Because if a Texas property owner uses these questions and finds a contractor that is not SSG, that is fine. The number of disastrous metal building projects we hear about is the result of buyers not knowing what to ask. A more informed buyer is good for everyone serious about doing the work right.
Will SSG answer all 17 questions?+
Yes — and we will put the answers in writing. Use this checklist with us, and use it with anyone else you are considering. Then compare the answers side by side.
How do I use the checklist during contractor meetings?+
Print it, bring it to the meeting, and write the answers down. If a contractor cannot or will not answer specifically — or asks you to "just trust us" — that is the most useful answer you will get all day.
Is there a digital version I can fill in?+
The PDF is a static checklist designed to print and write on. We kept it simple on purpose — paper is hard to skim past during a sales meeting.
Use this checklist with us
SSG will answer every question on this list — in writing, before you sign. That is single-source design-build done right. Tell us about your project and we'll come back with a firm bid, a clear timeline, and one team that owns the outcome.
Quick Quote
Most projects quoted within 48 hours
No loose estimates. Only firm bids with fixed pricing.
Have a project in mind?
Use the checklist with SSG. Specific answers in writing, single-source design-build, 40-year material warranty.
Get Your Firm Bid