Need a Contractor? Here's How The Pros Find Them

Friday Special Edition: Construction Series

July 11, 2025

You’ve got a property to fix. Maybe a flip. Maybe a rental refresh. Either way—you need a contractor.

And not just “a guy with a truck and a hammer.”

You need someone reliable, skilled, and actually shows up.

Here’s how smart investors find the right crew without rolling the dice:

Start with Google: “home repair contractor near me.”

You’ll get pages of results—some gold, some garbage.

Tip: Skip the sponsored ads and scroll to real reviews. Look for recent work photos, and filter out anyone with more excuses than stars.

A lesser-known gem. BuildZoom pre-vets contractors and shows licensing, project history, and even permits pulled.

Great for filtering out Chuck-in-a-Truck with a flip phone.

Good contractors are busy. Great ones are visible.

See a house mid-reno? Swing by, snap a pic of the sign, and chat up the crew (respectfully—don’t interrupt someone on a ladder).

Bonus: You’ll see their work in progress, not just portfolio glam shots.

Your app store is full of them—Angi, Houzz, Thumbtack, HomeAdvisor, TaskRabbit, and more.

The names change faster than your contractor’s excuses, but read reviews and check licenses before hiring.

Lowe’s, Home Depot, and local supply houses often know who buys materials regularly, pays on time, and doesn’t come in yelling.

Ask at the pro desk who they trust—and who they avoid.

If your agent’s been around the block, they’ve seen who gets jobs done and who leaves them half-painted.

A seasoned investor-friendly broker is often your best shortcut to a solid contact list.

Hiring a contractor is like dating: everyone looks good at first.

Vet them, check references, start small—and never pay in full (or even half) upfront.