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The Hiring Checklist

Why this checklist exists: Most homeowners hire door refinishers without asking the right questions — and pay the price. This checklist is built from real contractor interviews, consumer complaints, and industry standards. Use it every time.

PART ONE

Twelve questions to ask.

Read them, one by one, on the first phone call. A qualified
contractor answers without hedging.
01
What grit sequence will you use, and why?
Listen for at least three grits and a reason for each. Vague answers correlate with vague work.
02
Will the door be refinished in place or in the shop?
Exterior work in cold or humid conditions belongs in a shop. In-place exterior in winter is a red flag.
03
Which sealer goes between the stain and the topcoat?
An answer of 'we don't sealer-coat' disqualifies. A named product (Zinsser SealCoat, Bullseye dewaxed shellac) qualifies.
04
What clear coat product and how many coats?
Three coats of a named 2K polyurethane is the premium answer. One coat of unnamed poly is the budget answer.
05
What is the cure time before reinstall?
Anything under 24 hours on an oil-based topcoat is a shortcut.
06
How is the bottom rail sealed?
If the answer is 'the same as everywhere else,' on an exterior door, walk away.
07
Can I see two references older than three years?
Recency is meaningless. Longevity is the only test of a finish.
08
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in this state?
Verify each independently with the state registry. Do not accept a screenshot.
09
What is your warranty, in writing?
A real warranty defines what is covered, for how long, and what voids it.
10
What is the payment schedule?
20–30% deposit. Progress payment on completion. Final after walk-through. Avoid anything else.
11
Will you photograph products and stages?
A premium contractor offers this without being asked.
12
What happens if the finish fails in year one?
An answer that includes 'come back at no charge' is the floor, not the ceiling.

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