The 10 pros every home should have on speed dial
When something breaks, the hard part is knowing who to call. Use this checklist to line up pros you trust before you need them.
Have a name and number ready for a plumber, electrician, heating and cooling company, handyman, roofer, painter, lawn care, pest control, house cleaner and locksmith. The best way to fill the list is to ask friends and neighbors who they use and would call again.
The checklist
Plumber
Leaks, clogs, water heaters, toilets and fixtures.
Water damage gets expensive by the hour. This is the call you least want to make in a hurry.
How to find a good plumber →Electrician
Outlets, breakers, panels, new circuits, car chargers.
Electrical work is a fire risk when done wrong, and much of it needs a licensed pro and a permit.
How to find a good electrician →Heating and cooling
Furnace, air conditioning, heat pumps, seasonal tune-ups.
Systems tend to fail on the hottest and coldest days, when everyone else is calling too.
How to choose a heating and cooling contractor →Handyman
Sticking doors, drywall patches, shelves, the small-jobs list.
Small fixes add up. A good handyman clears the list in an afternoon.
Roofer
Leaks, storm damage, flashing, full replacements.
After a storm, good roofers book up fast and door-to-door crews show up. Knowing who to call helps.
How to find a good roofer →Painter
Interior rooms, exterior trim and siding, touch-ups before a sale.
Good painters often book weeks out, so it pays to know one before you need them.
Lawn and landscaping
Mowing, seasonal cleanup, planting, small hardscape jobs.
A steady, reliable crew is worth keeping once you find one.
Pest control
Ants, mice, wasps, termite inspections.
Pests are easier to handle early, and termite inspections often come up when you buy or sell.
House cleaner
Regular cleaning, deep cleans, move-in and move-out.
You’re letting someone into your home, so a personal recommendation matters more than usual.
Locksmith
Lockouts, rekeying after a move, new locks and deadbolts.
You’ll want one at a bad moment. Rekeying is also smart whenever you move into a new place.
How to fill your list
Start with the people you already trust. Ask a specific question, like “Who’s your electrician, and would you call them again?” If the same name comes up from two people, that’s a strong sign.
Keep the list somewhere everyone in your house can see it. A name buried in one person’s text messages doesn’t help when they’re out of town and the basement is wet.
Try new pros on a small job first. A dripping faucet or a single outlet tells you a lot about how someone communicates, shows up and charges.
Don’t worry about filling all 10 at once. Start with the three you’d most hate to scramble for: usually plumber, electrician, and heating and cooling.
Also worth having
- Appliance repair, for the washer or fridge that quits at a bad time.
- Garage door service, for broken springs and openers.
- Tree service, especially if you have big trees near the house.
- Chimney sweep, if you use a fireplace or wood stove.
- Gutter cleaning, if you’d rather not be on a ladder.
Keep your list in one place, and see who your friends use.
BuddyRow keeps the pros you trust in one place and shows you the ones your friends use. Free, and set up in a couple of minutes.
Start my listCommon questions
What service providers should every homeowner have?
A plumber, electrician, heating and cooling company, handyman, roofer, painter, lawn care, pest control, house cleaner and locksmith cover most of what comes up. Appliance repair, garage door and tree service are good additions.
Why line up home service pros before you need them?
When something breaks you have less time and fewer choices, and you’ll often take whoever answers. Choosing ahead lets you check them out and try them on a small job first.
How do I find good home service pros?
Ask friends and neighbors who they use and would call again. Then check that the pro is licensed where required, insured, and willing to put the price in writing.
Can my spouse and I share one list?
Yes. On BuddyRow you connect with each other and both see the same up-to-date list, along with the pros your friends use.