How to Hire Service Companies

Jean Chatzky
The housing market is in a slump and Angie Hicks-Bowman says that means more people will be spending money on home repairs. As the founder of Angie's List, a consumer-driven organization that collects and distributes detailed customer satisfaction reports on local service companies, Angie talks with Jean about her website and shares tips to help you pick a good home improvement company:
  • Look for local, established companies. If the company has a local address and roots in the community, you can be sure it's not a fly-by-night operation, Angie says.
  • Talk to people who have used the service company. Angie says word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors and friends are always a good place to start.
  • Check the company's references. After you get the reference, make sure to call and ask the former customer the pros and cons of working with the company, Angie says.
  • Ask to visit a current worksite or a completed project. This is a great way to assess the company's work and perhaps get another honest reference from a customer.
  • One or two customer complaints are normal. If you run into more than one or two complaints about a company, Angie says that should signal a red flag.

 

The information provided here is general advice and you should always consult your own financial adviser before making major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio. The opinions expressed by the hosts, guests and callers to Oprah Radio are strictly their own.