A bid is an offer to do work, not the work itself. When you are hiring someone to change a bathroom or an entry for a parent who needs it, the bid is only as good as what sits underneath it. Before anyone signs, you need to confirm the license, the insurance, the written scope, and who handles the permit.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Confirm the license and the insurance
Look up the contractor's license with your state or county licensing board. Rules and trade categories vary by place, so check that the license covers the work being done, not just general building. Then ask for a certificate of insurance that names general liability and, if the company has employees, workers' compensation. Call the insurance company on the certificate if anything looks unclear. A certificate that has expired or does not match the company name is a question to ask, not a detail to skip.
Read the scope line by line
The scope should name every fixture, every fitting, and every material by model or grade. It should list what is excluded, such as drywall repair after the work, painting, or moving furniture. It should say who removes the old materials and where they go. Vague words like standard, basic, or as needed are where extra charges tend to hide, so ask what each one means in writing.
Check the permit line
Ask whether the job needs a permit from the county or city. Ask who applies for it, who schedules the inspections, and who is listed as the owner or responsible party. Work done without a required permit can create problems later when you sell, refinance, or make a claim, so get a straight answer before the first day. The county or city building office can tell you whether a permit applies to your project.
Set the payment schedule to the work
Look at when money is due. A payment schedule tied to finished milestones, such as framing done or fixtures installed, gives you a way to check the work before you pay for it. A large payment up front with no milestones gives you less leverage if the work stops.
Find out how changes are handled
Ask how change orders work. Any change to the scope should be written, priced, and signed by both sides before the work changes. Ask who approves a change if you are not on site, and how you will be told about it.
Confirm who signs
If the house is in your parent's name, confirm who has authority to sign contracts for them, and do not assume that the family member who is managing the project can sign. Ask someone who handles that kind of paperwork before the first deposit leaves your account.
Ask about the warranty and the cleanup
Get the warranty in writing, including what it covers, how long it runs, and who calls the contractor when a problem shows up. Ask who cleans up debris each day and where it goes. Ask what happens if the contractor cannot finish, and whether they will name any subcontractors before they arrive.
If you are in the St. Louis area, the Local Help for Caregivers in St. Louis page is a place to start when you are looking for home modification questions and who to call.