How to Vet a Local Contractor in 15 Minutes
July 2, 2026
You do not need a two-week vetting process for a water heater replacement. You need four confirmations and a written scope. Here is the short version.
Confirm license and insurance in writing
Ask for the license number and the certificate of insurance, and confirm the general liability coverage is current. For anything structural, electrical, or gas, this is non-negotiable.
Workers' compensation matters too. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, the exposure can land on you.
Get a scope, not a number
A quote that says "replace water heater — $2,400" hides the questions that cause disputes: is the expansion tank included, who hauls the old unit, is the permit pulled, what happens if the shutoff valve fails during removal?
A one-paragraph scope with inclusions and exclusions prevents nearly every change-order argument.
Structure payment around milestones
Small jobs: pay on completion. Larger projects: a reasonable deposit, a progress payment tied to a visible milestone, and a final payment after inspection and punch list.
Be cautious with large upfront deposits on work that has not been ordered or scheduled.
Judge responsiveness, not just reviews
Reviews tell you about past jobs. Response time, willingness to put scope in writing, and clarity on scheduling tell you about your job. Both matter, and the second one predicts your experience better.
The takeaway
License, insurance, written scope, milestone payments. Fifteen minutes of diligence removes most of the risk.