Guides

How to hire a contractor, the honest way

Most contractor advice is generic. These guides are built around one idea you can actually check: a contractor's public permit history shows what they have really built, where, and how recently. Start anywhere.

• Hiring guide

  How to choose a contractor without guessing

  A practical way to choose a contractor: check what they have actually built nearby using public permit records, not ads, reviews, or who answers first.

• Hiring guide

  Why a contractor's recent local work predicts your result

  A contractor who has done your kind of job nearby, recently, is the strongest signal you can get. Here is why local track record beats reach, and how to check it.

• Hiring guide

  How to verify a contractor before you hire

  Verify a contractor the reliable way: confirm license and insurance, then read their permit history to see real, recent work in your trade and area.

• Hiring guide

  Questions to ask a contractor before you sign

  The questions that actually predict a good job: about permits, recent local work in your trade, scope, timeline, and payment. With what good answers sound like.

• Planning guide

  When is your home due for major work?

  A simple guide to when roofs, HVAC, decks, and other home systems typically age out, so you can plan replacement work before it becomes an emergency.