How to Evaluate Vendors

Vetting vendors for home services is essential to ensure quality, safety, and accountability. Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets, and allowing service providers into it requires trust. Proper vetting helps confirm that a vendor is licensed, insured, experienced, and reliable. It protects you from poor workmanship, liability issues, and potential scams. By checking references, verifying credentials, and ensuring clear communication, you significantly reduce the risk of costly mistakes and ensure a smoother, more professional experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Define the Job

What exactly do you need done? Is this recurring, one-time, or seasonal? Does it require special licensing or expertise?

2. Ask Around First

Start with referrals: friends, neighbors, team members, or your contractor. Use niche sources only as backup (e.g., Yelp, Thumbtack).

3. Do a Quick Screen

Are they local to your area? Are they responsive and professional when contacted? Do they have insurance or licensing?

4. Vet the Details

Ask for references, look up reviews, and check how long they’ve been in business. Confirm availability for your timeline and whether they’re open to your process (e.g., scheduling, payment).

5. Test with a Small Job

Use a low-risk service as a test.Observe communication, punctuality, and cleanliness—before, during, and after the job.

6. Keep a Record

Add their info to your vendor list.Include notes on experience, how they bill, and whether you’d use them again.

7. Review Annually

Check insurance status, re-evaluate if your needs change, and rotate out vendors who are no longer a fit.