Free guides for hiring local pros without getting burned
Plain-language guides covering pricing, licensing, scams, and platform comparisons. No email required. No paywalls.
11 Angi Alternatives for 2026
Honest comparison of 11 platforms — five flat-fee, three per-lead, three free. Includes Thumbtack, Bark, HomeAdvisor, Yelp, Houzz, Networx, Porch, Nextdoor, Google LSA, and us.
Business guideAre Thumbtack & Angi Leads Worth It in a Small Town?
Paying for Thumbtack or Angi leads in a small town? Use this break-even formula to see if they pay off, then try 9 free ways to get steady local calls.
Consumer guideWhy Won't Contractors Call Me Back? 9 Reasons + Fixes
Contractors not calling back? The 9 real reasons, copy-paste texts and voicemails that get replies, and how to find a pro in a small town with few options.
Consumer guide12 Contractor Red Flags to Spot Before You Hire
Cash only, a big deposit, no license, "leftover materials"? The warning signs, a 2-minute license check, and what a fair contract includes.
Consumer guideHow to Check a Contractor License
State-by-state lookup links, what “active” really means, bonds vs. insurance, and handyman dollar limits.
Consumer guideHow Much Deposit Should a Contractor Ask For?
Normal deposit ranges, the states that cap deposits (CA, NV, MD, MA), a fair payment schedule and how to protect your money.
Consumer guideContractor Took My Money: What to Do
Demand letters, licensing board complaints, chargebacks, bond claims, state recovery funds and small claims court.
Business guideHow to Get More Customers for a Local Service Business
2026 data on what homeowners do before they call, a 10-step plan, lead-site math and Google profile protection.
Business guideHow to Get Recommended by ChatGPT & AI
How ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI choose local businesses, based on 2026 data from 1,851 businesses, plus an 8-step playbook.
Business guide15 Free Business Listing Sites for Contractors
The free listings that matter in 2026, the order to set them up, and the “free listing” traps to avoid.
Master guide · PDFHow to Find a Local Pro Who Won't Let You Down
76-page consumer guide covering 43 trades — the questions to ask, fair prices, contracts, and what to do when a job goes wrong. Free, no email required.
More guides are in production — including pricing breakdowns for plumbers, electricians, HVAC, and roofers, a state-by-state licensing atlas, and a contractor-scam red-flag visual guide. New guides ship weekly.