Why Is It So Hard to Find a Good Contractor — And Why Does It Always Feel Like a Gamble?

Hiring a contractor shouldn’t feel like rolling the dice. But for most property owners, it does. You hear the horror stories: jobs left unfinished, ghosting after deposits, shoddy work that costs even more to fix. So why is this still happening — and what can you do to avoid it?

1. Licensing and Oversight Are All Over the Place

In many states, licensing rules are loose. In Florida, for example, general contractors must be licensed and insured — but handymen don’t need a license unless they’re pulling permits or touching electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems. That means anyone can call themselves a contractor without much accountability.

What to do: Always ask for:

• State license number (verify it with your local licensing board)

• Proof of liability and worker’s comp insurance

• References from recent work

2. Review Sites Don’t Tell the Full Story

Five-star reviews can be misleading. Some contractors clean up their online reputation by deleting bad reviews, changing business names, or pushing happy customers to leave feedback while ignoring the rest.

What to do: Don’t just check the star rating. Look at:

• Review dates — are they recent or all from years ago?

• Review patterns — do they mention communication, delays, or clean-up?

• Other sources — check local Facebook groups, BBB.org, and public records for complaints or lawsuits

3. Good Contractors Are Hard to Reach

The best contractors don’t advertise constantly — they’re busy. If someone can start tomorrow, ask why. They may be great, but they also might be out of work for a reason.

What to do:

• Ask what other jobs they’re working on

• Ask for photos or addresses of recent work

• Don’t automatically dismiss someone who’s booked out a few weeks

4. Homeowners Don’t Know What to Ask

A lot of property owners rely on gut instinct — and smart contractors can take advantage of that. If you don’t ask the right questions, you’re flying blind.

Ask these five questions every time:

• Is this a fixed price or an estimate?

• Will you be pulling permits?

• What happens if the job goes over schedule?

• What’s your payment schedule?

• Can I contact your last customer?

5. There’s No Standard Vetting Process — Unless You Build One

This is why we built ProVetted. We created a system where contractors earn their spot — they can’t buy it. Every contractor is vetted for:

• State license and insurance verification

• Complaint and lawsuit history

• Job consistency and customer feedback

• Professionalism, reliability, and follow-through

They stay on our list by maintaining that standard. If something changes — they’re out. Simple as that.

Final Thought

The system is flawed — not you. Most people don’t know where to start, what to ask, or how to verify what’s real. That’s what makes hiring a contractor feel like gambling.

The truth? It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you're tired of guessing, we’ve already done the homework.