😉
Haha, fair point about the insurance. I've been burned before by "hidden gems" who turned out more hidden than gem-like... so yeah, paperwork isn't everything, but it sure helps me sleep better at night.
Yeah, I hear you on that. A few years back, we had a similar situation—our roofer recommended some contractor network I'd never heard of. At first, I was skeptical because, like you said, those "hidden gems" can sometimes be more trouble than they're worth. But after doing some digging around online and asking neighbors, it turned out the network was legit and actually pretty solid. Still, I made sure to double-check their insurance and licensing myself—just to be safe.
Honestly, paperwork isn't foolproof, but it's saved me more than once. Had a buddy who skipped the due diligence because he trusted the recommendation blindly... ended up with a half-finished kitchen remodel and a contractor who vanished into thin air. Took him months (and way too much money) to fix that mess.
So yeah, trust your gut but verify everything. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your home.
Did you happen to check if they had any recent complaints filed with your local consumer protection office or BBB? Online reviews are helpful, but sometimes official complaints can reveal issues that don't pop up elsewhere. I've seen contractors who look great on paper but have a trail of unresolved disputes behind them. Always worth a quick look... could save you some headaches down the line.
"Online reviews are helpful, but sometimes official complaints can reveal issues that don't pop up elsewhere."
Fair point, but do you think official complaints always tell the full story? I've seen cases where a single disgruntled customer files multiple complaints, making things look worse than they actually are. Maybe talking directly to past clients or neighbors who've used them could give a more balanced perspective... or am I being too trusting here?
You're definitely not being too trusting—just practical. Official complaints can be useful, sure, but they're not the gospel truth. I once saw a contractor get slammed with complaints because one customer was mad about a minor delay and went on a crusade. Made the poor guy look like he was running some shady operation when really he just had bad luck with weather and scheduling.
Honestly, chatting with neighbors or past clients is probably your best bet. People tend to be pretty candid face-to-face, especially if you're casually asking about their experience rather than grilling them like it's an FBI interrogation. Plus, neighbors usually love sharing their horror stories or bragging about their great finds—free entertainment included.
Bottom line: official complaints are just one piece of the puzzle. Combine them with reviews, personal recommendations, and your gut feeling... and you'll probably end up making a solid choice without breaking the bank or losing sleep over it.
