Home services & contractor FAQs

Yes. Browsing contractors, comparing them, and requesting quotes are all free, and there's no obligation to hire anyone. You pay the contractor you choose for the work they do. You never pay Better Abode.

No. Your contact information goes only to the contractors you choose to request a quote from. Better Abode doesn't sell your information to marketing companies or distribute your project to a large group of contractors you didn't select.

Start by telling the caller clearly that you don't want further calls and ask to be placed on the company's internal do-not-call list. If the calls resulted from a form you submitted online, check the site's privacy controls and instructions for withdrawing consent. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry and report unwanted calls to the appropriate consumer-protection agency.

Some contractor-matching services distribute a single project request to multiple contractors. That can result in several businesses contacting the homeowner about the same project, sometimes very quickly. Before submitting a request anywhere, read the consent language so you understand who may receive your information and who may be authorized to contact you.

No. Better Abode doesn't sell or rent your contact information to marketing companies. Your information is provided to the contractors you intentionally contact so they can respond to your project request.

They can be useful, but understand how the site works and how it makes money. A practical approach is to check more than one independent source, give more weight to recent reviews, read negative reviews as well as positive ones, and notice whether and how the contractor responds. Detailed reviews describing an actual project can tell you considerably more than a star rating alone.

No. Contractors cannot buy a better position on Better Abode. There are no sponsored slots or bidding for the top of the list, and paying more does not allow a contractor to appear above another contractor with stronger credentials or homeowner feedback.

A lapsed or misrepresented license or insurance policy can result in a contractor being removed. Credible patterns of serious homeowner complaints—such as taking deposits for work that never starts, deceptive pricing, abandoning jobs, or misrepresenting credentials—can also affect whether a contractor remains on Better Abode.

Licensing rules vary by state and sometimes by city or county. Many states provide free online license lookups where you can check a contractor's status, expiration date, and disciplinary history. For insurance, ask the contractor for a certificate of insurance and verify the policy with the issuing agent.

Ask who will actually perform the work and whether they're employees or subcontractors. Ask for licensing and insurance information, recent local references, the proposed payment schedule, who will obtain permits, and what happens if the project runs over budget or schedule. Get important commitments in writing before work begins.

Yes. A contractor has to serve your area to appear in relevant results. That matters because local contractors are more likely to be familiar with the permitting process, inspection requirements, building practices, and conditions that affect homes where you live.

The contractors you select. Contractors you didn't choose, advertisers, and unrelated businesses don't receive your number simply because you requested a quote through Better Abode.

Yes. Tell the contractor you no longer want to be contacted, or contact Better Abode for help. Requesting a quote isn't a commitment to continue the conversation or hire the contractor.

You need to provide a way for a contractor to respond when you request a quote, but that doesn't prevent you from browsing contractors, reading credentials, and researching your options before sharing contact information. The current Better Abode content also allows homeowners to request email contact instead of a phone call.

No. You can search, compare contractors, and request a quote without creating an account. An account is available if you want to keep track of projects and quotes in one place, but it isn't required to get started.

Contact Better Abode and request deletion. Keep in mind that a contractor you already contacted may separately retain information you sent to them, so you may need to contact that contractor directly as well.

Quotes through Better Abode are free to homeowners, and requesting one doesn't obligate you to hire the contractor. Comparing estimates and deciding not to proceed with one—or deciding not to proceed with the project at all—is a normal part of hiring for home improvement work.

Two or three quotes are enough for many projects. One gives you very little to compare, while collecting too many can add scheduling and complexity without providing much additional value. Larger, more expensive, or structural projects can justify taking additional time to compare another qualified contractor.

Two quotes that appear to cover the same project may include very different scopes. One might include permits and debris removal while another doesn't. Materials, labor rates, crew size, availability, and assumptions about hidden damage can all affect the price. Compare the scope line by line before comparing the final numbers.

A deposit can be normal, particularly when materials must be ordered before work begins. The appropriate amount depends on the project and local law, and some states limit residential construction deposits. Be cautious about demands for the entire project price upfront, pressure to pay immediately, or requests for payment methods that offer little recourse.

No. Contractors set their own prices and quote projects directly. Better Abode doesn't set the price of your project or add a markup to the contractor's quote.

Ideally it should be close, but remodeling and repair projects sometimes uncover conditions that couldn't reasonably be seen beforehand. Any change in scope or price should be documented in a written change order that you understand and approve before the additional work is performed. Ask how the contractor handles change orders before signing the contract.

Better Abode looks at reviews left by homeowners on public review platforms rather than relying only on testimonials supplied by contractors themselves. We don't accept reviews submitted by contractors on behalf of their customers, and contractors cannot pay to make unfavorable feedback disappear.

No. A contractor's reputation includes the good and the bad. Better Abode doesn't remove unfavorable information simply because a contractor doesn't like it or allow a contractor to pay to improve how their reputation appears. Serious patterns of negative homeowner experiences can instead affect whether the contractor belongs on Better Abode.

A contractor may be newer, smaller, or work in a trade where customers leave reviews less frequently. Review count alone doesn't tell you whether someone is a good contractor. Read what homeowners actually say about the work, communication, pricing, and experience rather than judging a contractor solely by the number of reviews.

Better Abode covers projects including roofing, HVAC, plumbing, window installation, siding, gutters, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling, among others. If it's the kind of home project where you'd want an experienced professional, there's a good chance you can find help here.

Many contractors respond the same day or within a business day, although response times can vary with workload, season, weather events, and the type of project. If you haven't heard back after a couple of days, follow up or consider contacting another qualified contractor.

No. A quote gives you information; it doesn't create an obligation to hire. You can compare several quotes, choose a different contractor, postpone the project, or decide not to proceed at all.

Better Abode is better suited to projects where you have time to compare your options. For an immediate problem such as a burst pipe, sewage backup, or active roof leak, protect the property if you can do so safely and contact an appropriate licensed professional directly rather than waiting to compare multiple quotes.

For many substantial projects, yes. Roofing, remodeling, window replacement, structural work, and similar projects generally need to be inspected and measured before a contractor can provide a reliable quote. An estimate given without seeing the project may be a useful starting point, but it may not be a final price.

Try contacting the contractor directly. If they remain unresponsive, tell Better Abode and consider moving on to another qualified contractor rather than allowing an unresponsive company to hold up your project. Repeated communication problems can also be relevant when Better Abode evaluates whether a contractor should remain on the site.

Start by contacting the contractor in writing, describe the problem specifically, and explain what you want corrected. Keep copies of contracts, photographs, invoices, change orders, and communications. If the contractor won't resolve the problem, additional options may be available through licensing authorities, insurance, consumer-protection agencies, or the courts depending on where you live and the circumstances. Tell Better Abode about serious problems as well.

Yes, if you hired the contractor through Better Abode. Reviews from homeowners with an actual project experience help other homeowners make better-informed decisions.

Contact Better Abode and tell us what happened. Reports are reviewed by a person rather than automatically determining a contractor's status. One complaint can have context; repeated credible complaints can reveal a pattern, and patterns matter when deciding whether a contractor should remain on Better Abode.