Hiring the right trades is one of the most critical steps in your home project. It’s not just about finding someone with the skills to do the job—it’s about ensuring they’re the right fit for your vision, timeline, and budget. A little upfront effort in researching and evaluating your hires can save you from costly mistakes and stressful delays down the road.

In this lesson, we’ll break down how to confidently choose the right professionals for your team, from where to start your search to what questions to ask and red flags to avoid. Building a great team isn’t just about expertise—it’s about trust and collaboration.

1. Start with Referrals

Personal recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors who’ve completed similar projects are often the most trustworthy. If they’ve had a great experience with a professional, chances are you might too. Ask specific questions like:

• Were they happy with the quality of work?

• Was the project completed on time and within budget?

• How did the professional communicate throughout the project?

Referrals from other professionals, like your architect recommending a contractor, are always worth considering. These people work together regularly, so they know each other’s strengths, working styles, and what clients have said about working with them.

2. The Home Hub & Online Directories

If you're part of the Home Hub, you already have access to a curated directory of trusted professionals. Use it as your starting point to find individuals who align with your project needs and goals.

Websites like Houzz, Angie’s List, or HomeStars are also popular for finding vetted professionals. Pay attention to reviews and ratings, but dig deeper. Look for reviews that mention professionalism, communication and, if there were any challenges, how they were handled. 

While positive reviews might indicate good work, they don’t always tell the full story. Some testimonials could be filtered, curated, or even fabricated. Instead of relying solely on online reviews, use them as a starting point. 

3. Visit Job Sites or Local Projects

If you notice a home under construction or renovation in your neighbourhood, stop by and ask about the team working on it. 

Ask the crew how they feel about working with the general contractor and the GC about their team. Speak with the homeowners about their experience—how has communication been? Have there been any challenges, and how were they resolved? Is the project on budget so far? Asking specific, targeted questions like these will give you meaningful, detailed insights into what it’s really like to work with that team.

Observing the team in action also lets you assess their work ethic, attention to detail, and how they maintain the job site.

4. Trade Shows and Events

Local home shows or builder expos can be a great opportunity to meet professionals face-to-face. These events allow you to ask questions, review portfolios, and get a sense of their personality and professionalism.

5. Professional Associations

A lot of the professional associations maintain directories or referral services to help connect homeowners with qualified professionals. They can mean they adhere to industry standards and are committed to ongoing education, but not always. 

For example, here in BC, Canada, every general contractor is required to be registered with BC housing. They, however, do not have any control in their work ethic or level of standard they need to meet. I personally believe a lot of these associations are for financial gains only and was why I was never part of one. They cannot define whether they are a good or bad professional. You will still have to do your research.

You can find a list here and a breakdown of what the association has to offer the professional and the level of standard they have to commit to (If any). 

Finding the right tradesperson isn’t about luck—it’s about a thorough and informed process. Invest the time upfront to save yourself headaches down the road.