Two contractors can give you bids that look alike on the first page and differ entirely in how they run a job. The difference usually shows up in how they answer simple questions. A good contractor answers the question you asked. A weaker one answers a question they wish you had asked.
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You do not need to be an expert to run this check. You need a short list, asked the same way to every candidate.
Question one: who will actually be on site?
Ask whether the people who visit your home are employees or subcontractors, and whether the same crew will return for each visit. Subcontracting is common and not automatically a problem, but you should know who is accountable when something goes wrong.
Question two: what happens if the work needs more than the estimate?
Every home job can surprise someone. Ask how they handle a hidden problem, who approves the extra work, and whether they will explain the change in writing before doing it. The answer tells you more about the job than the price does.
Question three: who answers the phone after the work is done?
Ask who you call with a question next month, and how quickly they usually respond. Get a name and a number, not a general office line.
Question four: what is in scope, and what is not?
Ask them to name the work included and the work excluded. A clear exclusion list is a sign of a careful contractor. Vague scope is the usual source of later disagreement.
Question five: can you show me a finished job like mine?
Ask for a similar job in a similar house, and ask if you can see it or speak with the homeowner. Listen for specifics about how the job went, not only how it looked.
Compare the answers, not the charm
Write the five answers down for each candidate and compare them side by side. The contractor who answers plainly, even when the answer is less impressive, is often the safer choice for a house someone depends on. If you want names of local providers to start with, the local help page is a reasonable place to begin.