Because “They Seemed Cool” Isn’t a Vetting Strategy.

Real Talk (and Real Disasters)

We’ve all heard the horror stories—or worse, lived them. A business owner hires a guy who “knows a guy” to build a new website, install office drywall, or revamp a brand. Weeks later? Ghosted. No deliverables. Just radio silence and a dent in the bank account that echoes louder than the excuses left behind.

There’s the marketing “guru” who charged thousands for SEO and left a Google Doc with typos and broken links. Or the contractor who promised a full storefront remodel… and delivered a half-painted wall and a bucket of cement.

Scams, shoddy work, and service ghosting happen every day to businesses of all sizes. The sad truth? It’s not always easy to spot red flags—until it’s too late.

So how do you actually protect yourself, your wallet, and your business reputation?

Let’s talk about the 10 things you must check before hiring a contractor for any professional service, general contracting project, or product-based partnership.

1. Ask for Proof of Contractor Work (Not Just Hype)

Ask for portfolios, case studies, or before/after photos.

Anyone can throw around buzzwords, but can they back it up? A real contractor should be eager (not hesitant) to show you what they’ve done. If they stutter when asked for examples… run.

SEO tip: Search “[industry] portfolio examples” to benchmark quality before hiring.

2. Request Contractor Licensing, Certification & Insurance

Especially for construction, financial, creative, and tech-based services.

If you ask a contractor for their credentials and they suddenly go quiet or defensive, that’s your cue to back away—quickly.

A legit business will happily provide:

• Business license (state or local)

• Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing general liability and/or professional liability coverage

• W9 Form for IRS reporting and tax compliance

• EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

• Trade licenses (if applicable: electrician, plumber, CPA, architect, etc.)

• Specialized certifications like OSHA, EPA Lead-Safe, Minority/Women-Owned Business certification, or industry-specific credentials.

  

  Want to verify that they’re actually legit? Use free public tools to confirm:

• IRS Tax Exempt Org Search

• SAM.gov to search for federal vendors

• State Department of Corporations to confirm active business filings in their state

• License verification portals by state for trade and professional licenses

Red Flag Alert: “We’re still working on getting our paperwork” is code for “we don’t have it.”

3. Google the Contractor. Yelp them. Stalk their LinkedIn. Trust the receipts.

   Today’s business reputation lives online. If a contractor doesn’t have any digital footprint, that’s either a startup in stealth mode… or someone you should steer clear of.

   
   

   Use these trusted platforms to dig deeper:

   
   

   • Google Reviews – Look for patterns in praise and complaints.

   • Yelp – See how they handle customer service, especially bad reviews.

   • LinkedIn – Great for vetting business owners, seeing networks, and spotting inconsistencies in bios.

   • Better Business Bureau (BBB) – A reputable hub to check for formal complaints, dispute resolutions, and business ratings. If a company has no BBB listing, that’s not always a dealbreaker—but a bad score? Red Flag.

     
     

   Bonus tip: Pop their name into social media platforms or Reddit. You’d be surprised what you find when real customers start talking.

   
   

4.  Clear Communication & Response Time with Potential Contractor

   If a contractor takes 5 days to answer your inquiry, imagine how long they’ll take to fix a mistake. Fast, clear communication is not just a perk—it’s essential.

   Test it out: send a few early questions. Their response tells you everything.

   
   

5. A Written Scope of Work Before You Hire

   No matter how friendly the conversation, get the details in writing.

   The scope should outline: deliverables, deadlines, payment terms, and revision policies. Verbal agreements = legal nightmares.

   Contractual clarity now saves courtroom confusion later.

Contractual clarity now saves courtroom confusion later.

6. Clear Trustworthy Payment Terms & Milestones

Trust is good. Structured payments are better.

Let’s be clear: never, ever pay 100% upfront unless you're buying paperclips in bulk. For services or big-ticket jobs, break payments into milestones—and only release funds after deliverables are met.

Here’s how a professional contractor should present payment:

• An invoice or estimate with itemized breakdowns

• A clear scope of work with timelines

• Milestone payment schedule (e.g., 30% deposit, 30% at midpoint, 40% on final delivery)

• Late fee clause (if applicable)

• Options for electronic payment like ACH, credit card, or platforms like QuickBooks Payments, Square, or Stripe—not “just Venmo me”.

  
  

Avoid:

• Contractors who insist on cash only

• Requests for wire transfers to foreign banks

• Payment apps like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo for large sums (they’re fast but lack buyer protection for business disputes).

  
  

Trustworthy contractors will use trustworthy systems. Anything else might be smoke and mirrors.

7. Contractor's with Non-Disclosure & Data Security

For service contractors dealing with your business data (like accountants, developers, marketers), protect yourself with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Your trade secrets, client info, and IP deserve safeguarding.

8. Contractor References That Actually Exist

Ask for real references—and call them. The contractor who delivers will be thrilled to provide raving clients.

Not comfortable sharing contacts? That’s a confidence gap you shouldn’t ignore.

9. Trustworthy Tools & Technology They Use

You’re hiring someone to make your business better—make sure they’re not stuck in 2004.

From CRM systems to construction software, the right tools equal better results. Outdated or unknown platforms? That’s a red flag.

10. Hire The Vibe Check that's Real

Yes, professionalism matters. But so does energy. Do they “get” your vision? Do they sound invested or transactional?

This is someone who will touch your brand, your business, or your property—make sure they respect that responsibility.

Whether it’s website design, electrical wiring, bookkeeping, branding, or sourcing SWAG for your sales team—treat hiring a contractor like hiring a partner.

Don’t fall for charisma over credentials, speed over substance, or low price over real value. A little vetting now saves a lot of pain later.

Contractor Bonus Tip:

Want to outsource without the guesswork? At Anhinga Development, offer the safest services for you. From professional services to creative solutions, we’ve been the “safe bet” since 2019.