Need work done on your Charlotte home? How to find a reputable handyman or contractor

© JASON LEE/jlee@thesunnews.com/The Sun News/TNS Contractors put the finishing touches on a new home in Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach, the small historically black beach town sandwiched between sections of North Myrtle Beach, is undergoing a revitalization according to town manager Benjamin Quattlebaum. New homes are being constructed and oceanfront lots are being marketed to hotels and resorts. June 13, 2022.

Whether you need to do repairs to a home you’ve lived in for decades or are looking to update a home you just purchased, finding a qualified professional to do the work can be stressful.

But there are platforms for finding someone if there is work to be done you can’t do yourself. And there are multiple ways to vet handymen, contractors, plumbers and electricians before you make a hire.

Here’s what to know about how to find someone to work on your home and make sure they’re qualified:

How to find a contractor, handyman, plumber or electrician

When it comes to finding a contractor, handyman, plumber or electrician, the North Carolina Department of Justice suggests starting with word-of-mouth advice.

“Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, co-workers and others who have had work done on their homes recently,” the department says. “Avoid contractors who knock on your door or leave flyers on your door or mailbox.”

Another resource can be, Moving.com notes, your local hardware store.

“The local hardware store’s employees may either have helpful recommendations for servicemen in your area or they may even be handymen themselves,” the site says. “Additionally, your local hardware store may have plenty of business cards, paper ads and contact information for contractors in your area.”

Online, platforms such as Yelp, Angi and HomeAdvisor let you search for businesses in your area and read past reviews and ratings.

Once you’ve found people to consider, the justice department recommends getting “at least three written estimates” before making a hire. And you should do your research on the work you need done and what goes into it so you can ask informed questions.

In the hiring process, the justice department recommends, get a detailed written contract.

How to find out if a contractor, handyman, plumber or electrician is reputable

In North Carolina, there are multiple ways to vet a contractor, handyman, plumber or electrician before hiring them.

You can verify that a contractor is licensed in the state by visiting nclbgc.org or calling 919-571-4183. To check an electrician’s license, go to ncbeec.org or call 919-733-9042. And for information on plumbers or HVAC installers, explore nclicensing.org or call 919-875-3612.

To look up a business’s complaint history with the state Attorney General’s Office, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. You can also look up reviews and any past complaints about a business through the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/us/nc.

And, the justice department recommends, you should “ask to see the contractor’s insurance policy or bond and then contact the insurance company to verify coverage, especially for roofing, painting or tree removal services.”

How to report a problem with a contractor, handyman, plumber or electrician

If an issue does arise with someone you hire to work on your home, there are avenues for taking action.

You can file a consumer complaint with the state Department of Justice at ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/consumer-complaint or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

And you can also file a complaint or leave a review with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/us/nc.

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