Home Improvement

Most of the time I just DIY for anything that's not massive, but when it comes to big projects like Roof/Foundation you listed Friends/Family/Neighbours I trust who have used them in the past.

Once I find a not shit contractor, I latch on to them and maintain that relationship.

No idea. I get ecstatic over mediocre contractors who barely gouge. We've genuinely just started DIYing almost everything because if it looks "okay, I guess" then at least it didn't cost $8000 and I semi-learned a new skill.

Edit: our best contractor was from a random Google maps search for handy person. I picked a relatively new business with few reviews entirely because they were the only ones to call back. But they worked out great and I was happy with the work.

I think it is honestly trial and error.

Edit edit: the vibes you get from the in home estimate are helpful. If they don't try to upsell you at all, hire them.

In fact, the aforementioned best contractor we ever hired told me not to contract them to do something because it was a really simple to DIY. They showed me the exact kit to buy and told me how to do it. Theoretically he could have screwed himself out of money but we decided to do a bigger job than originally planned because of that move.