Why is it important to hire a trustworthy business to complete work in/on our homes?

Our home is our safe place – it’s where our family lives and we spend a majority of our time. Before hiring a business to come into your home, you want to know you can trust who you’ve hired and know with confidence they will complete the job accurately and safely. It is important to hire a trustworthy business to complete work in/on our homes to make sure that should any problems arise, they are promptly resolved and the rest of the project continues to run smoothly.

How might someone deem a contractor or specialist trustworthy? 

You can get a good idea how trustworthy a contractor is by checking their profile on BBB.org. For example, do they resolve their complaints quickly and to the consumer’s satisfaction? You will want to verify they are properly licensed and insured for the job you need done. You may also want to request quotes from a few different businesses using the same specifications for each – the pricing should be similar. Lastly, how easy is it to communicate with the contractor? Are they responsive via phone or email?

How do businesses become accredited with BBB? 

Businesses are invited to become an Accredited Business with BBB, so it’s quite an honor for the company. To be eligible for BBB Accreditation, you must be in business for a minimum of 6 months, maintain a BBB rating of B or higher and abide by BBB’s 8 Standards for Trust, which embody values like being responsive, honest advertising, being transparent, and up to date on required licensing. A business can apply online or by contacting BBB directly. BBB has a very in-depth vetting process and wants to provide helpful information enabling a consumer to exercise their own best judgment. Once the application and requested information is provided, BBB will review to determine that your business meets all requirements for accreditation, and if so, you are invited into the community of trust.  

What’s the best way for a homeowner to vet a business they’re thinking of hiring to do work?  

A homeowner can do their research on a business before hiring them by asking for references, getting quotes, verifying licenses, and checking bbb.org to see the business’ complaint and review history. It is also a good idea to ask the company if they do background checks on their employees and ask what sort of identification they will be providing when they come to your home to complete the job. One of the best predictors of future behavior is past behavior. In other words, if you wonder how well someone will do on your project, look at how well they’ve done for other consumers. While it’s not a guarantee, it definitely helps you avoid companies with a problematic track record.

What information can the BBB provide homeowners? 

BBB helps you find information in your discovery phase before choosing a business to work with. BBB provides business profiles that include the nature of the business, contact information, a three-year summary of any complaints or reviews processed, and the business’ BBB rating and accreditation status. These reviews give you a nice overview of the type of work ethic the company has had with past customers, directly from their point of view.

What sort of licensing should homeowners be looking for?

A Contractor State License Board (CSLB) is required for jobs $500 and over, and there are many different specialty classifications, depending on the type of work you need done. Check with the CSLB website for current guidelines.

How does BBB assign ratings to a business?

Ratings represent BBB’s viewpoint of how a business is likely to interact with its customers based on factors including complaint history, time in business, licensing or advertising issues, and upholding BBB ethical values. This complete rating overview is accessible to the public and businesses on BBB.org.

What other information is important for homeowners to understand before hiring someone? 

It is important to do your research before hiring a business. BBB is a great place to start your process, as well as licensing agencies and other industry specific professional membership organizations. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and make sure they are located in your area and fit your needs. Always get your estimates in writing and be sure to read and understand everything in the contract before signing.