How to Choose the Right Service Company
Five checks that separate a great hire from a costly mistake, whatever the trade.
Five checks that separate a great hire from a costly mistake, whatever the trade.
What to Check Before You Hire
Five checks that separate a great hire from a costly mistake, whatever the trade.
1. Verify the license, not just the sales pitch
Every legitimate home service company should be able to give you a license number on request, and in most states this is a legal requirement for certain trades. Don't just take their word for it — look it up yourself on your state's licensing board website. A valid, active license means the company has met minimum experience and insurance requirements, and it also lets you check for any disciplinary history or open complaints before you hire.
2. Confirm insurance coverage
Ask for proof of both general liability insurance and workers' compensation. If a worker is injured on your property and the company isn't insured, you could be held financially responsible for medical costs. Liability insurance also protects you if something is damaged during the work. A reputable company will send you a certificate of insurance without hesitation.
3. Get at least two or three quotes
For anything beyond a small repair, comparing multiple quotes tells you whether a price is reasonable, high, or suspiciously low. Make sure each quote covers the same scope of work so you're comparing apples to apples — a lower number that's missing half the scope isn't actually a better deal. Ask each company to itemize labor and materials separately, and confirm whether permit fees are included.
4. Read recent reviews across more than one platform
A handful of five-star reviews from years ago tells you less than a steady pattern of recent, detailed reviews. Look for how the company responds to any negative feedback — a thoughtful, professional response often tells you more about a company's character than the complaint itself. Cross-check reviews on at least two platforms, since patterns can look very different depending on where you look.
5. Trust your gut on communication
How a company communicates during the quote process is usually how they'll communicate during the job. Slow replies, vague answers, or pressure to sign immediately are all worth paying attention to before you commit. A company confident in their work rarely needs to pressure you into a fast decision.
6. Get everything in writing before work begins
Scope of work, price, materials, and timeline should all be documented before the first day of work. A verbal agreement is much harder to enforce if something goes wrong, and a written scope protects both you and the company from misaligned expectations.
Red Flags to Watch For
Any one of these on its own isn't necessarily disqualifying, but more than one together is a real signal to look elsewhere.
- Can't or won't provide a license number when asked directly.
- Pressures you to sign or pay a deposit on the very first visit, before you've had time to compare quotes.
- Asks for full payment upfront, before any work has started.
- Has no verifiable local reviews, or reviews that all appeared within a short window of time.
- Gives you a quote significantly lower than every other bid, with no clear explanation for the gap.
- Is vague or evasive when you ask about insurance coverage.
What It Typically Costs
Knowing the general price range helps you spot a quote that's suspiciously low (often a red flag on its own) or confidently high.
How a company communicates before you've paid them a dollar is the strongest signal available for how they'll treat you once the job has started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I really get?
For most projects over $1,000, two to three quotes is a good target. It's enough to spot outliers on price without dragging the process out for weeks.
What if a company won't give me their license number?
Treat this as a serious red flag. A legitimate company in a licensed trade will provide this without hesitation, since it's public information anyway.
Is the cheapest quote ever the right choice?
Not automatically. A quote that's significantly lower than others often means a missing scope of work, lower-quality materials, or an unlicensed/uninsured operation. Compare scope first, then price.
How do I check a company's insurance is real, not just claimed?
Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) directly from their insurer, which you can typically verify by calling the insurance company listed on the document.
Should I always hire the highest-rated company?
Ratings are a good signal but not the only one — also weigh how directly relevant their experience is to your specific project, and how they communicate during the quote process.
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