When your home is your sanctuary, you don’t want just any person working on it, providing plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other home-related tasks. You want a trusted professional who completes jobs to a high standard and doesn’t have you questioning the quality of their workmanship or professionalism. If you’re getting ready to hire a tradesperson and aren’t sure how to select the best person or company for the job, here are some helpful tips to help narrow down your options:
Research Them Online
As soon as you have a business or individual’s name in mind, start researching them online to learn more about them. Type their name into a search engine and see what pops up. If they’re part of a holding company, you can rest assured knowing they’re a resilient, supported business that’s well-established and capable.
If they have a digital portfolio with plenty of projects, you know they’re highly skilled and have completed many jobs with satisfied customers. You can also read online reviews to see how happy customers are with the level of service they provide. This initial research phase may set you up for success with choosing the right business for the job.
Ask People for Recommendations
If you have friends, family members, or acquaintances who have had similar work to your needs completed in the past, ask them whether they would recommend the business or individual they used. You may even be able to see the work they completed, which can give you extra confidence they’re the right people for the job. Word of mouth remains among the strongest forms of advertising, so don’t underestimate the value of asking around before hiring someone to help with your home-related task.
Use Trade Directories and Online Platforms
If your area has a trade directory or online platform where home service providers like plumbers, roofers, and painters advertise, consider reviewing it. These platforms often list trusted individuals and businesses, many with reviews from real customers who have used them. They can help you narrow your options and learn more about a business you may choose to use in the future.
Verify Their Credentials
Experience and reputation matter, but so do credentials. You want to be sure that whoever is providing a service in your home is licensed and insured to do so. Check your state’s licensing board to ensure that the person you’ve hired has an active, valid license. You may also enjoy peace of mind by asking for proof of their general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Most trained professionals are happy to provide the information you need to make an informed choice about hiring them.
Request a Written Contract
While not always necessary for small, one-off jobs like wallpapering or patching a wall, a written contract can matter for major renovations when a lot of money will change hands. Never start a major job without a signed contract that details the scope of your project, the timeline, the payment schedule, and the permits needed.
When you’re bringing someone into your home to complete a task you’ll be paying them for, you want to be sure that they’re the right person for the job. By researching their business, reading reviews, asking loved ones for recommendations, and verifying their credentials, you may feel more confident signing on the dotted line and welcoming them onto your property.
