Find a local pro, and check them yourself.
When a job needs a professional, the hard part is not finding a name, it is knowing the name is any good. So we do not sell you a contractor or take a referral fee. Instead we point you to the official sources and the few simple checks that the FTC and state consumer agencies say actually matter. Pick what you need below.
We use this only to send you to the right official board. We do not store it.
Check their licence
Go to your state's official government licence checker and confirm the contractor is currently licensed.
Pick your state above to get the direct link.
Type the company name or licence number. You want STATUS: ACTIVE, plus bonded and insured, and no disciplinary actions.
See top-rated pros near you
A neutral map search. We do not rank anyone and we take no fee; this just opens an ordinary search you could run yourself.
Search top-rated pros near youOpens a map search in a new tab.
Compare the rating AND the number of reviews. A 5.0 from 3 reviews is weak; a 4.6 from 800 is strong.
Vet them and get 3 quotes
The short version of how the FTC and state consumer agencies say to hire safely. Open it, or print it to take along.
Show the checklist
Before you call anyone
- Write down the job in one or two plain sentences (what, where, and what 'done' looks like). A clear scope is what makes three quotes actually comparable.
Check they're legit
- Confirm the licence is current on your state's official board (the button above). You want STATUS: ACTIVE.FTC
- Ask for proof of current insurance (liability) and, where required, bonding and workers' comp, and verify it's active.FTC; CT DCP
- Prefer a pro with a permanent business location and several years in business (3 or more years is a common benchmark).NAHB
- Some pros hold industry certifications (e.g. a remodeler certification, or EPA Lead-Safe for pre-1978 homes; note that window replacement and demolition are not exempt). These are a nice plus, but not the same as a state licence.NAHB; EPA
Get 3 quotes
- Get at least three written, itemized quotes for the same scope, so you compare like for like.CT DCP; This Old House
- Don't just pick the lowest. Compare what's included, not just the bottom line, and ask a pro to explain a big difference. Be wary of an unusually low bid (cut corners or hidden costs).This Old House
- Actually call references and, if you can, see real past work, not just a list of names.NAHB; This Old House
The contract & the money
- Get a written contract before any work starts, with start and finish dates, total cost, the payment schedule, and all materials, and no blank spaces.FTC
- Never pay the full amount up front. A big up-front demand is a classic red flag, and many states cap the deposit by law (California, for example, limits it to 10% or $1,000, whichever is less).FTC; CA statute
- Pay by check or credit card, not cash or wire, so you have a record and can dispute a charge.FTC
- Tie each payment to a finished milestone, and hold the last payment until the job is done and you're satisfied.CT DCP
- Confirm who pulls the permits. If the pro asks you to pull them, treat it as a red flag.FTC (Home Repair Scams)
- Before your final payment, get signed lien waivers from the contractor and any subcontractors or suppliers. Without them, an unpaid subcontractor can put a lien on your home even if you already paid the main contractor in full, which is how people get stuck paying twice. Your state Attorney General's site explains your local rules.Minnesota AG
Red flags (walk away)
- Pressures you to decide immediately; wants full payment up front or cash-only; says they have leftover materials from another job; asks you to pull the permits; or has no verifiable address.FTC (Home Repair Scams)
- A great rating with very few reviews, self-published testimonials, or any 'featured/sponsored' placement isn't proof. Online reviews can be gamed. The FTC's Fake Reviews Rule bans buying fake reviews and carries substantial federal penalties per violation. Look for a solid rating with a high review count, from a named source.FTC Fake Reviews Rule
CedarKeep helps you find options. We don't endorse, recommend, or guarantee any contractor, and we don't vet or screen them for you. Always confirm a pro's current licence, bond, and insurance with your state's licensing board, and get at least three quotes before hiring.
Our promise on local pros
We earn nothing from local pros. No contractor can pay to be listed, pay for a better ranking, or pay us a referral fee, and we don't take lead fees. We earn nothing whether or not you hire anyone. Helping you find a good pro is simply free.
Separately: some product and part links elsewhere in CedarKeep (like a furnace filter) are paid Amazon links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. That never applies to local pros.
Already have a quote in hand?
Paste it for a calm, plain-English second opinion. We will not pick your contractor, but we will tell you what to ask. We store nothing of the quote.
Try the Quote Sanity-Check