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Tips for hiring

Tips for choosing the right pro

Read reviews
Reading about past customer experiences can provide insight into how your own experience might go. Sometimes a professional might respond to these reviews, which will offer further insight concerning their customer interactions. For instance, a professional who tries to correct a problem or receives only positive reviews will likely be easier to work with than someone who responds angrily to negative reviews.
Check credentials
A pro's credentials are important to make an educated hiring decision. A pro's profile may include the following:
  • A license badge is reserved for pros who submitted a license we can verify in a public database.
  • The "Best of" badge is awarded to the top 10% of pros every year based on their positive reviews from past customers.
  • A background check badge that a professional has submitted a background check and met certain standards. However, it's important to keep in mind that if a business employs multiple workers, the badge doesn't necessarily mean that the person working with you has passed a background check.
View photos and videos
Photos and videos are an excellent way to visualize a pro's abilities and work quality. Seeing is believing, and photos and videos can offer visual proof of a professional's results or journey in providing their services. By examining these materials, you can gain a better understanding of the level of quality you can expect from a professional's work.
Ask questions
We make it easy to contact pros directly through phone calls or direct messages. Ask as many questions as you need, and tell pros precisely what you're looking for. Ask about past work, references, prices, and more. Look for a Frequently Asked Questions section that answers questions related to their experience, education, training, and pricing. Not every professional answers every question, but you’ll get an idea of what makes each professional unique.
Research
In addition to viewing their profile, it's a good idea to check websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the pro's Facebook profile. Also, the Federal Trade Commission offers tips when hiring a contractor.
Reach out
If you’re still uncertain about whether or not to hire a pro, why not reach out to them to schedule a phone call or in-person meeting? You can get a more specific idea of when your service will start, how much your service will cost, and how long it will take to complete.

Project planning

  1. Agree upon a timeline. If you need a project done before a specific date, you’ll want to ensure your professional can deliver on time. Make sure to break up your project into manageable chunks and decide on specific due dates and milestones.
  2. Finalize payment details. Both you and the person you're hiring must be on the same page regarding what you’ll pay and how. For instance, some pros only take cash, while others only accept checks. Make sure to iron out these details before finalizing your service agreement.
  3. Keep everything in writing. If your conversation moves to the phone, make sure to keep written records of everything discussed. It’s easy for someone to forget an important detail, but that one small detail might make a massive difference in your final product. Written records ensure everyone’s on the same page.

Insurance, permits, and licensing

  1. Verify Insurance. Depending on your project, you might want to ask your insurance provider to verify your coverage. Similarly, you’ll want to make sure your pro has insurance and that it covers your specific job.
  2. Permits and Licensing. Different cities have different rules governing license and permit requirements. To ensure your project is up to code, you’ll want to reach out to your local or state government. However, we have a few tips to give you an idea of what to expect.
    • Business licenses show that a professional is registered to work in a specific location. In contrast, occupational licenses show that a professional is legally registered to perform specialized work, such as plumbing. Before hiring a professional, it’s always smart to ask for documentation.
    • In addition to business and occupational licensing, some jobs require federal licensing. Research your project beforehand, and if it does require such licensing, make sure to obtain it in advance.
    • Several websites allow you to verify licenses. For instance, you can search through BRB Publications, Inc.’s database to find several websites for occupational licensing boards.

Review licensing information

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

We hope you’ll use this guide as a resource when hiring your next professional. Please note that Lessons isn't responsible for its professionals' or customers' actions, but we encourage all members to use best practices concerning all job transactions.

If you have further questions, you can always look through our help center or contact us via our contact page.