Choosing and comparing businesses
What should I check before hiring a local business?
Confirm the business’s identity, service fit, coverage, price, availability, licenses where applicable, insurance, policies, and terms directly with the provider.
The right checks depend on the service and its risk, but every customer can confirm identity, scope, cost, timing, and responsibility before authorizing work.
A practical way to approach it
- 1
Confirm who you are hiring
Verify the business name, contact details, service area, and relevant license or insurance information directly with appropriate sources.
- 2
Get the agreement in writing
Make sure the scope, materials, price or pricing method, schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, and warranties are understandable.
- 3
Keep a record
Save estimates, agreements, receipts, change approvals, and important messages so both sides can refer to the same information.
Useful next steps
Related questions
Last updated August 10, 2026