Finding a reputable local contractor in Greenville starts with more than a Google search. Look for recommendations from people who have actually used the contractor, verify licenses and insurance, get the scope of work in writing, and make sure any required permits are handled correctly.

That is especially important when the work involves your home's electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, roof, structure, or a major renovation.

If you own a home in Greenville, South Carolina, United States, or you are looking at Greenville South Carolina homes for sale, having a list of people you can trust for repairs and improvements can save you a lot of time.

How can I find a reputable contractor in Greenville?

The best place to start is with recommendations from people you trust, followed by your own research.

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs recommends getting references, checking a contractor's license and insurance, getting multiple written bids, and making sure the details are included in a written contract. It also recommends checking for complaints before hiring someone.

Before hiring a contractor, ask:

• Are you licensed or registered for this type of work in South Carolina?
• Can I see proof of insurance?
• Who will actually perform the work?
• Will subcontractors be used?
• Who is responsible for pulling permits?
• Can you provide recent local references?
• What is included in the estimate?
• How are changes or unexpected expenses handled?
• What is the payment schedule?
• Is there a workmanship warranty?

Do not rely on online reviews alone. Reviews are helpful, but licensing, insurance, references and a clear written agreement tell you much more.

At Dan Hamilton & Co., we have built our own list of local home service professionals based on years of working in Greenville real estate. These are contractors and service providers our team or our clients have worked with and had good experiences with.

Whether you need a plumber today or someone to help prepare your home for sale next year, here is what to know before hiring anyone.

Start with local home service pros we trust

One resource Greenville homeowners can use is the Dan Hamilton & Co. Preferred Home Pros network.

After a long career helping people buy and sell homes in the Upstate, our team has worked with many contractors, inspectors and home service professionals. We have put together a resource featuring professionals our team and clients have worked with and had positive experiences with.

You can search for help with:

Plumbing • HVAC & Heating • Electrical • Cleaning • Painting • Roofing & Exterior • Moving & Storage • Lawn & Landscape • Handyman Services • Inspections • Windows & Doors • Mortgage • Home Insurance • Title • Real Estate Attorneys • Home Warranties

What are the two types of contractors?

For homeowners, contractors can generally be divided into general or residential contractors and specialty contractors.

General or residential contractors

A general or residential contractor typically manages larger projects involving several parts of a home.

For example, if you are remodeling an entire kitchen, adding a room or completing a major renovation, one contractor may coordinate carpenters, electricians, plumbers, flooring installers and other trades.

In South Carolina, residential building is regulated by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. A current license or registration is required for regulated residential building and specialty contracting work.

Specialty contractors

A specialty contractor focuses on a particular trade or type of work.

Examples include:

• Electricians
• Plumbers
• HVAC contractors
• Roofers
• Painters
• Carpenters
• Masonry contractors
• Flooring installers
• Siding installers

South Carolina has specific licensing or registration requirements for several residential trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and residential specialty contracting.

The important thing is not simply asking, "Are you a contractor?"

Ask whether the contractor has the correct license or registration for the work you need.

What are red flags when hiring a contractor?

Some of the biggest contractor red flags involve payment, permits, pressure and missing paperwork.

Be careful if a contractor:

• Wants the entire project paid for upfront
• Insists on cash-only payments
• Will not provide proof of licensing or insurance
• Does not provide a written contract
• Gives you a price dramatically lower than every other estimate
• Pressures you to sign immediately because the price is "today only"
• Cannot provide recent references
• Does not have a verifiable business address
• Is vague about who will actually complete the work
• Tells you that permits are unnecessary without checking local requirements
• Asks you to pull a required permit for them

Both the FTC and the Home Builders Association of Greenville identify large upfront payments, cash-only requests, high-pressure sales tactics, unusually low bids, missing contracts and permit issues as warning signs homeowners should take seriously.

A professional contractor should be comfortable answering reasonable questions about the project.

If asking about insurance, permits or references seems to make someone uncomfortable, that is useful information.

How to spot a bad contractor

The easiest way to spot a potentially bad contractor is to verify what they tell you instead of simply taking their word for it.

Start by checking the contractor through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The state's Residential Builders Commission provides a Licensee Lookup and handles residential builder and specialty contractor licensing and registration.

Then take a few additional steps:

Get more than one estimate.
South Carolina's Department of Consumer Affairs recommends getting multiple bids. If one estimate is dramatically cheaper, find out why before assuming it is the better deal.

Ask for proof of insurance.
Do not simply accept "yes, we're insured." Ask for documentation.

Check recent references.
Ask about communication, scheduling, unexpected costs and whether the homeowner would hire the contractor again.

Get the scope in writing.
Your contract should clearly explain what work is being completed, materials, costs, payment expectations and an estimated timeline.

Ask about permits before signing.
A good contractor should know whether the work normally requires a permit and who is responsible for obtaining it.

Why is unpermitted work a risk for Greenville homeowners?

Permits help make sure certain home improvements are reviewed and inspected under local building requirements.

Inside the City of Greenville, building permits can apply to projects including remodeling, decks and other building-related work. Separate permits are also used for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.

Greenville County similarly states that permits are required for new construction, structural changes, additions, electrical upgrades, certain plumbing work and mechanical equipment changes.

Not every small home improvement requires a permit, so homeowners should check the rules for their property's location and the specific project.

The problem with work that should have been permitted but was not is that required inspections may never have taken place. That can leave questions about whether the work meets code and may mean additional work is needed later to correct or document it.

This can become particularly important when buying or selling a home.

If you are considering Greenville SC homes for sale, pay attention to major additions, finished spaces, converted garages, decks and extensive renovations. Your agent and home inspector can help you identify improvements that deserve additional questions.

Find a Greenville contractor you can feel comfortable hiring

A good contractor should make you feel more comfortable about your project—not more confused.

Verify licensing and insurance, get the work in writing, ask about permits, compare estimates and do not be afraid to ask questions before handing over money.

And if you would rather start with professionals people in the local real estate community have already worked with, Dan Hamilton & Co.'s Preferred Home Pros can help you narrow down the search.

Whether you already own a home or are researching Greenville South Carolina homes for sale, having reliable local contractors in your contact list makes homeownership much easier.

Affiliated business disclosure: Dan Hamilton may or may not receive compensation from businesses featured in the Preferred Home Pros resource. You are not required to use any provider listed and are always free to choose any provider you prefer. All service providers are independent of Dan Hamilton & Co. and are responsible for the quality of their own services. Suggestions are offered as a convenience and are not guarantees.