I've been thinking lately... what if a homeowner specifically asked if I had some brand-specific certification or badge (like from a certain roofing shingle or HVAC manufacturer) before they'd hire me? I mean, I've got plenty of experience and general certifications, but never bothered chasing down those brand-specific ones. Would you guys scramble to get certified quick, or just explain your experience and hope that's enough? Curious how you'd handle it.
Honestly, homeowners sometimes get hung up on these badges because manufacturers market them as a guarantee of quality. But I've seen plenty of certified contractors botch jobs, and plenty without badges do amazing work. Maybe ask yourself—is chasing that badge worth the hassle if your reputation already speaks for itself?
I've wondered about this myself... A couple years back, I hired a contractor who had all the fancy badges and certifications from a major roofing brand. Thought I was making the safe choice, right? But honestly, the work was just okay—nothing special. Later, I took a chance on someone recommended by a neighbor, no badges or anything, and their work was spot-on. Makes me question if these badges are more marketing fluff than actual quality assurance. Has anyone else had similar experiences?
Had a similar experience when I first bought my place. Went with a contractor who had all these brand badges thinking it'd guarantee quality... turned out pretty meh. Later, a friend suggested someone local—no badges, just solid word-of-mouth—and the difference was night and day. I'm starting to think these certifications are more about marketing than actual skill. Personal recommendations seem way more reliable from what I've seen.
