Preparing a home for sale often means lining up contractors. Maybe a window needs replacing, the exterior needs paint, or a pool light stops working. Buyers face the same issue after closing, whether they want to add a patio cover, replace fixtures, or tackle other improvements.

Your real estate agent can be a valuable source for referrals. Experienced agents routinely work with contractors, inspectors, handymen, electricians, plumbers, roofers, pool companies and other service providers. They often know who has been reliable—and who has not.

But an agent’s recommendation should be a starting point, not the end of your research. As a buyer or seller, you are ultimately responsible for vetting anyone you hire to work on your property. Before hiring a contractor or service provider, consider these steps:

1. Verify Licensing
Arizona regulates many construction trades through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. If a license is required for the work, verify that the contractor is properly licensed and check the license status before hiring. Working with an unlicensed contractor when a license is required can expose you to unnecessary risk and may limit the protections available if the work is defective or incomplete.

2. Check Reviews and Reputation
Look beyond one recommendation. Search Google, Yelp, Nextdoor and other local sources for recent reviews. Pay attention not only to the overall rating, but also to patterns involving communication, workmanship, timeliness and how problems were handled.

3. Do a Little Background Research
Confirm that the company is legitimately operating and look for any readily available information that might raise concerns. For larger projects, ask for references, proof of insurance and examples of similar work.

Your Agent Can Help—But You Should Still Verify
A knowledgeable agent can save you time by providing names of service professionals who have performed well for past clients. Good agents build these relationships over years and want the repair process to go smoothly. Still, the best approach is to use your agent’s recommendations as one resource among several.

At The Arroyo Group, we are happy to share service providers we have encountered in the course of our work. We also encourage our clients to independently evaluate any contractor before deciding who is right for their home.

A trusted referral is valuable. A trusted referral that you have also vetted is even better.