We are a repair company, so yes, we have an interest in this topic. But a lot of our work is fixing jobs someone else did badly, and a lot of our phone calls start with “we paid someone who never came back.” Here is what we would tell a friend.
Get at least two written quotes
Not to find the cheapest, but to understand the job. When two quotes differ widely, the difference usually tells you something: one included things the other left out, or one plans to do it properly and the other does not. A good quote includes:
- A clear description of the work and the materials, with brands or grades where it matters
- What is not included (for example, painting after a drywall repair, or haul-away)
- A total price, or a clear hourly rate with an estimate of hours
- Who pulls permits, if any are needed
- An expected start date and duration
- The warranty on labor and on parts
- The payment schedule
Check license and insurance
Ask for the license number and look it up on your state or local licensing board’s website. Requirements vary by state and by trade, but electrical, plumbing and HVAC work are licensed almost everywhere.
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability, and workers’ compensation if they have employees. Have it sent to you directly by their insurance agent if you want to be sure it is current. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, it can become your problem.
Deposits and payments
A deposit to order materials is normal. A large upfront payment for labor is not. Many states limit deposits for home improvement work, often to around a third of the price or less. Tie later payments to finished stages of work, and hold the last payment until the job is complete and you have walked through it together.
Pay by check or card, not cash. You want a record.
Red flags
- They knocked on your door saying they were “working in the neighborhood” and have leftover materials
- They want most or all of the money upfront, or cash only
- They will not give a written quote, or the quote is one line
- They pressure you to sign today for a special price
- They suggest skipping the permit to save you money
- No physical address, no license number, no insurance certificate
- Reviews only from the last few weeks, or none at all
During the job
- Keep a simple log: dates, who showed up, what was done. Take photos.
- Put any changes in writing, with the price, before the work happens.
- Ask to see things before they get covered up, like framing, wiring or flashing.
When it is done
Walk through the finished work together. Test what was fixed. Get any permits closed out, warranty details and receipts for materials in writing, and file them with your home records.
Our guides are general information for typical homes. Codes, permits and conditions vary, so check local rules, and leave gas, main electrical panel and structural work to a licensed professional.
