Check the registration
Idaho requires contractors to register with the Idaho Contractors Board, part of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), for most construction jobs over $2,000 in labor and materials. Ask for the registration number and check it with DOPL yourself.
Electricians, plumbers and HVAC are licensed separately
Those trades carry their own Idaho licenses. Ask which license covers the work you're hiring for.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written estimate that lists what's included, what isn't, and how changes will be priced. Compare quotes for the same scope of work, not just the bottom line.
Ask about insurance
Ask whether they carry liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation. A good business will answer without hesitation.
Look at their own work
Ask for photos of jobs like yours and read reviews on more than one site. A few local references are worth more than a long list of stars.
Find a local business
Independent Idaho businesses, town by town.