Loppee guide
How to Choose a Local Business You Can Trust
Hiring a local business — a plumber, an electrician, an HVAC company — usually happens under pressure. Something's broken, you're searching fast, and every result claims to be the best. So how do you tell who's genuinely trustworthy from who just has a bigger ad budget? Here's a practical, no-nonsense checklist you can use before you call anyone.
1. Confirm they're licensed (where it's required)
Many trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, general contracting — require a state or local license. A license isn't a promise of great work, but it means the business has met the basic legal and competency requirements, and it gives you somewhere to turn if something goes wrong.
How to check: most U.S. states have a free online license lookup. Search "[your state] contractor license lookup," enter the business name or license number, and confirm the license is active and in the right trade.
Red flag: a business that can't or won't give you a license number for work that legally requires one.
2. Make sure they're insured
Ask for proof of liability insurance — and, for trades, workers' compensation. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, or your property is damaged, you could be the one left paying. A legitimate business won't hesitate to show a certificate of insurance.
3. Read reviews — but read them critically
Reviews are useful, but they're also one of the easiest things to fake. Look for:
- a steady pattern over time, not a burst of five-star reviews in a single week;
- specific details — the job, the date, the outcome — rather than vague praise; and
- how the business responds to criticism: professionally, or defensively?
Be a little skeptical of a flawless 5.0 across hundreds of reviews with no criticism at all. Real businesses have off days.
4. Look for real verification, not just a badge
"Verified," "certified," and "top-rated" badges are everywhere — and on many sites they mean very little, or they're simply sold to whoever pays. Before you trust a badge, ask: who checked, and what did they actually check?
That's the thinking behind how Loppee labels businesses:
Verified means Loppee confirmed the business's registration, a real contact route, and any legally required license.
Listed means the business is published and claimed, but hasn't completed those checks.
A paid plan on Loppee can expand a business's reach — but it never buys a Verified badge. Trust is earned, not purchased.
5. Watch for these red flags
- Pressure to decide on the spot, or to pay a large sum up front in cash.
- No written estimate — or a quote dramatically below everyone else's.
- No physical address, or a phone number that's never answered.
- Reluctance to put anything in writing.
6. Ask these questions before you hire
- Are you licensed and insured for this work? Can I see proof?
- Can you put the estimate in writing, including what's not covered?
- Who will actually do the work — your employees or subcontractors?
- What's your warranty, and what happens if something goes wrong?
The bottom line
Trust comes from evidence, not from the loudest ad. Check the license, confirm insurance, read reviews with a critical eye, and be clear about who verified what. A few minutes of checking up front can save you a great deal later.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a license guarantee good work?
No — but it confirms the business met basic legal and competency requirements, and it gives you recourse if something goes wrong.
Are online reviews reliable?
They're helpful but gameable. Look for consistent, specific reviews over time, and pay attention to how a business handles criticism.
What does "Verified" mean on Loppee?
That Loppee confirmed the business's registration, a contact route, and any legally required license. "Listed" means published and claimed, but not checked. Paying never changes verification.