Decision checklist
Questions to ask before hiring a professional.
A strong first conversation should clarify authority, responsibility, money, confidentiality, timing, and the decision path.
Credentials and responsibility
Which license, registration, certification, or experience applies? Who is accountable for the work, and who else will touch it?
Scope and deliverables
What is included, excluded, assumed, or dependent on another professional? What will be delivered, in what format, and by when?
Fees and conflicts
How are fees calculated? What additional charges may appear? Are there commissions, referral payments, affiliations, or conflicts to disclose?
Privacy and records
What confidential information is required, where is it stored, who can access it, and how can it be corrected or returned?
Communication and exit
Who answers questions, how quickly, how decisions are recorded, and what happens if either side ends the relationship?