Many homeowners turn to contractor referral services or user review sites when looking for home improvement contractors. But these services and websites don’t necessarily tell the whole story.
For instance, some of these online resources only list contractors who have paid to be listed. This makes them more like community bulletin boards than true referrals. Others, such as Angi (formerly Angie’s List) claim to limit contractor participation by requiring they provide proof of licensing and insurance, pass a background check and offer a warranty. But these promises are often hard to keep. The reality is that many contractors who participate in Angi and other similar sites are unlicensed, have expired licenses or do not carry liability insurance, which puts homeowners at risk.
To make sure they get the best possible work, a homeowner should always vet anyone they find on a referral service by checking for their state licensing board and looking at the quality of past jobs, as well as checking references and photos. It is also a good idea to talk to friends and neighbors about their experiences with contractors they’ve used in the past.
For small projects such as a plumbing repair or drywall repair, online referral services can be helpful to locate a qualified professional. But for more involved remodeling or repairs, homeowners should always seek out a contractor who can meet them in person for an inspection and quote. To increase your exposure to potential customers, register your business on Porch and other local listing services such as Google My Business and Facebook. Having a presence on these websites can help establish trust and get the job started faster.