The better way to hire contractors

Growing up, there was a Blockbuster on every corner. I visited one nearly every weekend. Hundreds of DVDs lined the walls (VHS tapes before that!), with no real way to tell the good ones from the noise. You’d read the back of a box, look at the cover, and take a guess. Half the time, you got home and wished you’d picked something else.

The best part of the store was the staff picks shelf. Someone had narrowed hundreds of choices down to a few worth considering.

A bad movie pick cost you a Friday night. Choosing a pro to work on your home? The stakes are a lot higher.

I thought about that experience again when I needed to remodel a bathroom. It was a straightforward project, but a meaningful investment. I searched online and found a wall of names I knew nothing about. I had the same question I’d had at Blockbuster: How do I know which ones are good?

So I started asking friends. Who did your bathroom? Who would you hire again? A recommendation from someone you trust helps enormously when you happen to know the right person to ask.

That’s why we built Better Abode. Think of it as a staff picks shelf for homeowners who don’t already have “a guy.” We check contractors’ licensing and insurance before they appear on the site. We look at reviews across the web and screen for feedback. Furthermore, it's great to know when a contractor is available and actually wants to work on your home, rather than finding out they can’t fit you in for six months.

Your home improvement project deserves attention. Let's get it done!

Home is where the heart is.