How to choose a local contractor or service pro in Nebraska

Check the registration

Contractors doing business in Nebraska register with the Nebraska Department of Labor, and its website lets you search registered contractors and subcontractors. Ask for the registration number and check it yourself. Registration is not a license and does not vouch for the quality of the work, so keep asking the other questions too.

Ask about trade licenses and permits

Some trades, such as electrical work, need a state license, and many cities and counties require their own permits. Ask what applies to your job and who pulls the permit.

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.

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