Hire With Confidence: The Ultimate Contractor Hiring Guide

8/11/2025

Contractors are generally not considered stellar business owners. While a baker can bake, it doesn’t mean he can run a successful bakery. The same concept can be applied to contractors. Just because someone can swing a hammer doesn’t mean they can return your phone call or show up on time.

It’s true, contractors don’t always have to be good businessmen. Many times they just have to be quick, cheap, and meet specific needs. There are plenty of homeowners and home flippers looking for a good deal. They don’t need the best person to do the job—they need the least expensive one.

This doesn’t mean you should settle for a contractor who isn’t right for your job. You can find the right contractor with a little bit of research and effort, and it goes beyond just verifying if they are licensed and bonded (which is important!).

Here are some of the top tips I’ve used over the years, for many projects, to virtually guarantee success in your search.

1. Word of Mouth is King!

Asking others for recommendations on contractors who have done similar work is a great way to find them. This is a simple but effective way to find contractors that will help you. Get referrals from several people you trust. It's more likely that a contractor will do great work in the future if they are well-respected.

Some of the best ways to get recommendations for great tradesmen is through people in your neighborhood. Driving by a construction site in your area? Stop by and ask for a card. Speak to the owner and get feedback about their experience when it comes to timeliness, reliability, and quality of work.
Many neighborhoods and towns have Facebook groups dedicated to their areas—ask for referrals for contractors they’ve hired for similar projects.
Visit nearby kitchen and bath showrooms and ask for contractors they personally work with.
Contact local building inspectors to see which contractors routinely meet code requirements.
Ask employees of local hardware stores—they meet many tradespeople.
Contact subcontractors you’ve worked with before. Good tradespeople often know others of similar quality and integrity.

2. Be Prepared!

The best time to find a contractor is when you don’t need one. You’re setting yourself up for failure if you start looking when you urgently need to hire one. Be proactive instead.

Keep a running list of pros you can contact for different problems. Continue to add to the list as you come across good tradespeople. When the need finally arises, you’ll have an arsenal of skilled and reliable contractors to reach out to.

Let these pros know there are other contractors available to take on your project—this can breed competition and improve price, quality, and attention.

3. Google Them and Check Reviews

While references are great, it’s important to do online research before hiring. Search their name and company name along with keywords like “scam,” “rip off,” “complaints,” or “court” to spot red flags.

Check the Better Business Bureau, Google Business profiles, Angie’s List, Yelp, Houzz, and other platforms to see reviews and ratings.

4. Ask the Right Questions

References are helpful but not tailored to your project. Pre-screening allows you to identify the right contractor and avoid costly mistakes.

Arrange an in-person meeting to review your project. Evaluate their professionalism, knowledge, and communication.

Key questions to ask:

How long have you been in this line of work?
How big is your team, and can you fill in for absent subcontractors?
When will you be able to take on my project?
What is your payment schedule?
Can you provide contact info for subcontractors and suppliers you work with?

5. See In-Progress Projects

Visit current job sites to see their workmanship, organization, and staffing. If possible, talk to the property owner to verify details and satisfaction.