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Sometimes the more information you have at your fingertips, the longer it takes to weed through it all. Watch the news for just a few minutes, and you'll hear about some shady contractor, scam artist or business that didn't deliver on its promises. When it's time to hire or buy, you don't want the same to happen to you.
Better Business Bureau exists to create an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other. When you make a purchasing decision, try our Get a Quote tool for one-stop shopping from BBB Accredited Businesses you can trust.
Research is hard
At first, it seems like online research makes everything easier. When you want to know about a doctor, plumber or auto repair shop, you look at their website and other marketing material. If they have solid credentials and provide what you are looking for, you feel safe hiring them.
Then, something happens to you or someone you know. A business that seemed trustworthy was actually just a marketing ploy, leaving you disappointed in the end.
It is often hard to separate the experts from those who just put up a good front. Good reviews could be written by family members or people who are compensated for their positive words. Bad reviews might come from competitors trying to sling mud or someone who was never a client in the first place.
When you need to hire an expert or seek advice, you could spend hours trying to separate truth from hype. Then, you might make calls, send emails and fill out online contact forms, only to have no reply. When you finally do get started on your project, you still might end up with an untrustworthy provider.
But when you use BBB's Get a Quote, you hear from experts who adhere to BBB's high standards and can respond right away.
Getting a quote is easy
There are two easy ways to get quotes, estimates or proposals from BBB Accredited Businesses.
1. If you already have a business in mind and they're BBB Accredited, start by typing their name into the search bar on BBB's home page. Once you hit "search," you should see your business and the option to "Get a Quote."
2. If you'd like to receive information from multiple BBB Accredited Businesses, follow these steps:
- Head to BBB's Get a Quote tool.
- Select the type of business you're looking for.
- Enter your zip code to view listings in your area.
- Click "Get a Quote" on your chosen company.
- Select your preferred method of contact, enter your email or phone number and submit.
Get connected with almost any business type
What types of businesses can you receive quotes from? You won't believe how many choices are available. Here are just a few.
- Accident Insurance
- Accounting
- Acupuncturist
- Administrative Services
- Air Conditioning Repair
- Auto Body Painting
- Home Builders
- General Contractors
- Painters
- Plumbers
- Roofing Contractors
And that's just a tiny part of the list. Whatever you're looking for, you can often get one or multiple quotes by the next business day.
If you haven't yet used our online tool to get a quote, why not give it a try? Let qualified providers come to you and hire with confidence.
See our Home HQ for more information about hiring qualified contractors.