Home Reports™ employs a business model similar to J.D. Power and Associates, an organization renowned for its research integrity. We conduct extensive consumer research to review contractors, and we use the data collected to provide testimonials and objective, third-party ratings of contractors in more than three dozen categories.
In just the past three years, the Home Reports Research Staff has conducted 18,626 phone interviews with metro-Atlanta homeowners who had firsthand experience with home service providers. These interviews resulted in 114,323 company reviews. Each year, we conduct more than 5,000 new interviews as part of our primary research, and our research process is ongoing. While there are numerous methods to solicit feedback, our process has proven successful with thousands of homeowners who rely on Home Reports.
To maintain third-party objectivity, we base our ratings on the research conducted by our own employees and the data we have collected. We do not incorporate research conducted elsewhere. Prospective Home Reports employees are carefully screened for connections to contractors, and no Home Reports owner or employee holds an ownership stake in any home service or repair company.
To meet the Best Pick™ criteria, a company must:
1. Excel in our research when compared with other companies competing in its category.
2. Have its rating based on more than 100 reviews in our research database.
3. Carry workers' compensation and liability insurance.
4. Hold proper professional licenses.*
5. Honor contracts made with homeowners and suppliers.
6. Sign the Best Pick Company Pledge.
*Home Reports verifies the following types of professional licenses: conditioned air, electrical, plumbing, structural pesticide applicator, and pesticide applicator licenses.
Companies cannot buy a good rating; the only way contractors can obtain a good rating is to earn it by having many satisfied customers and good reviews. We also never accept reference lists from companies. In certain circumstances, we conduct secondary research, sampling from the business's entire database and randomly calling customers. This happens when our primary research shows a company with a high percentage of satisfied customers yet a limited number of reviews.
After tracking and rating thousands of businesses, we showcase Best Pick Companies in our annual report, which is posted online and mailed to homes in many Atlanta communities. Participation in the Best Pick program is completely voluntary and only offered to companies that excel in our research.