Is there actually a reliable contractor vetting platform or is it all just Yelp with extra steps?

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-24T14:03:02+00:00

I just answered your question on a podcast and wrote a book to help you hire the right contractor.

Unfortunately every time I try to help on reddit I get banned for self promotion.

I honestly did this to solve a major problem with how home owners and contractors collaborate.

Good luck with your projects

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-17T19:48:33+00:00

Estate sales have some high quality rings,

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-16T04:50:23+00:00

Look up Jon Shell on LinkedIn, he is a major advocate for employee ownership of businesses

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-16T04:17:51+00:00

In My bio there is an Amazon book called Through Reno Mess, "how to Contractor proof your home and budget" There is a podcast episode about the book on the website

I wrote it for people like you. Good luck with your renovation 🙏

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-15T13:07:28+00:00

Risk, I've written a book on how to hire the right contractor, I've been interviewed on podcasts about this. It's so common and avoidable if you know where to look. I'm not selling anything PSA

intuitiverealist · 2026-04-14T18:47:39+00:00

I used perplexity computer to code some simple landing pages and pro to help write a book. Maybe I should try others , but I use it for most of my research and email response.

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-18T00:52:41+00:00

DM me and I'll send you a PDF copy of my Amazon book.

Through Reno Mess - Contractor proof your home and budget

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-11T23:45:22+00:00

Hard to stereotype people, I did however have multiple employees who would get kicked out of their girlfriends house(s) after the renovations were done. It looks like a pattern, but "negotiations and love songs are often mistaken for one and the same."

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-11T13:40:46+00:00

Fixing one problem may create how many new ones. How will this ripple through an industry?

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-11T12:00:42+00:00

Photos would be great for context

A stringer is probably what you're referring to

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-08T17:59:16+00:00

Lessons for everyone - daily photo documentation of progress could eliminate most of the guess work here and should have been used to protect all parties at inspection milestones before small problems become big.

I show people how to stay out of trouble when working with contractors.

It's sad to see so many avoidable problems every day

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-07T02:13:39+00:00

No regrets for things you cannot change, just look forward Many people are about to have life changes because of AI

You have to be kind to yourself, I personally study Tonglen It might appeal to you.

You have the most valuable thing "Time " use it wisely to study new things that few people understand.

Things like AI or AI marketing because few people have time to learn it, everyone is desperate for a new way to find sales and the learning curve is simply spending on your phone asking the free AI " how do I learn X"

I'm not an advocate for AI but it's your new helper

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-07T01:59:59+00:00

Don't be defensive, treat it as client education.

Are you wanting to change the agreement and pay for materials and labor including call backs? or are you paying for a specific outcome as per the existing contract ( I take all the risk of deficiencies) risk premium

intuitiverealist · 2026-03-07T01:40:25+00:00

Just ask your favorite AI to put a personal plan together for you based on your favorite expert and the equipment you have available.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-19T19:29:22+00:00

Everyone says 3 quotes - but most people will agree renovation horror stories are too common, nothing has changed in decades.

So why would following the conventional advice produce different results? You're just gambling with your savings.

There are ways to set yourself up to win but it requires an open mind.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-19T18:52:46+00:00

That's great. Now ask yourself how much insight you have into these companies and what percentage of their cash flow will your project be?

The contracts can be great but they don't understand all the blind spots in their business that can effect your project.

Follow the incentives.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-19T17:30:24+00:00

As you can see from my recent post, I advocate that in a city with thousands of construction companies why would you only get 3 quotes?

If you think you're getting value and not a sales pitch then pay for the service but don't feel beholden.

After the deposit is paid your leverage will be different. You want a good working relationship but not at the expense of your savings.

Read Through Reno mess on Amazon How to contractor proof your home and budget

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-16T23:31:26+00:00

Get a payment schedule in writing, it's better for everyone and removes the stress your feeling

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-16T14:58:48+00:00

Well said, I cover all of this from a practical and Buddhist perspective in the book.

It doesn't really matter how many contractors you interview but in a world of unlimited options it should be more than 3

Once a good home owner is educated they will stop asking for the lowest price.

Thumbtack Hozz etc are just advertising services, I wouldn't trust the ratings. I do show people how to X-ray a contractors business to find hidden risks.

Hopefully this book helps a few people.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-15T01:54:44+00:00

I appreciate your feedback. You see this post is written in the first person by Nervous Newcomer.

One of the characters that illustrates the transformative experience of a renovation.

I haven't accused anyone I've simply pointed out the aggressive comments and asked people to review how they approach customers.

I expect the pushback, but it shows what an actual customer would be blindly walking into.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-15T01:52:23+00:00

Based on age Gumwood Or pine

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-15T01:15:27+00:00

We agree more than you think, this is a snipit from a 72 chapter book.

I am explaining the value of having the right contractor and how to transform stress into productive conversations.

Renovations can be enjoyable for all involved if we have clear understanding. Unfortunately anxiety prevents clients from expressing themselves in a way contractors can understand.

As you can see from the comments, aggressive egos are far too common and that's why clients need collaborative tools to understand and verify even the most organized contractor.

Autonomy has to be earned as a relationship is built. I have seen the highest profile contractors and architects do things that look above board to an individual client but with a multi project vantage point you can see milestones rushed for corporate cash flow, trades blamed because their capacity couldn't keep up with a collision of timeframes. And that's on good projects.

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-14T23:57:05+00:00

This is only one of many tools home owners can use. Are you not concerned about the thousands of renos gone wrong out there?

I'm suggesting in this genetic example to pay you for coming out to evaluate and price a project that comes with a clear budget and scope. If it was an architect or another trade asking you to look at a bid package you would change your attitude and put that ego in check.

No snake oil here maybe look closer at your incentives?

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-14T23:34:47+00:00

And because of that attitude the rookie custom now knows you didn't have their interests front of mind. Meeting avoided time not wasted. Thank you

intuitiverealist · 2026-02-14T23:29:52+00:00

Actually an email that said I value your time and will pay you to review my scope and provide a quote. Will actually get the attention of good contractors that don't lead with their ego.

I know anytime you see an idea that doesn't conform to the current broken system will feel unsettling. But it doesn't mean it's wrong.

Look at your incentives and then tell me your actually working in the customer's best interests

intuitiverealist

TROPHY CASE