When it comes to the service industry, it’s always a guessing game. What do you rely on? A contractor your friend referred because they heard about him through some guy at work? An electrician you read about in the paper? A refrigerator repairman that popped up on Google? Are these really trustworthy sources? Maybe, but you got to know more! Remember, these people are coming into your home. You not only need to trust them, but you also need to make sure that your house and your family are secure around them too!
The two things that are easy to attain and you should always check first are the following:
1. Always check their license & insurance!
For any type of service company that must enter your home or step foot on your property to do work, this is a huge deal! If any problems arise while the work is being done, you (the property owner) will be held completely liable if they are not licensed, bonded, and insured. More often than not though, you will be able to find some guy on Craigslist or through a friend referral who will do the work for half the price of a licensed professional, but just beware, if any little thing goes wrong, it might end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars extra!
2. Check out their reviews!
If it was a referral from a friend, ask what they thought. If it was a co-worker of a friend of yours, ask what that co-worker thought. Never be afraid to ask! Also, check online! Online directories such as Google Places, Yahoo Local, Yelp, and many others allow users to leave feedback and reviews about local businesses. These reviews are generally pretty candid, and if nothing looks too fishy (such as 10 reviews on the same date all saying how great the company was) these are great resources to rely on!
Getting a better idea of the company you are allowing in your home is strongly encouraged to protect the well-being of your home and your family! You can never be too cautious!