When a profile has thousands of five-star reviews, it's tempting to assume the work must be great. But reviews are among the easiest things online to fake or farm. The trades themselves almost never hire that way — they go on credentials and word of mouth. You can use the same playbook.
Start with credentials you can verify
Ask for proof of liability insurance — a current certificate of insurance you can actually read. In Colorado, most trades aren't required to hold a state license for general work, so honest pros say 'fully insured' rather than implying a license they don't need. Confirm the coverage is current, not expired.
Ask who they'd call
A roofer knows the good plumbers. A painter knows the reliable electricians. That web of referrals between pros who've actually worked together is the real signal — it's a reputation staked by someone whose own name is on the line.
One good hire should open the door to a whole pre-vetted crew.
Watch for the red flags
Be cautious of large upfront deposits, cash-only demands, no written estimate, pressure to decide today, or a business with no verifiable address. None of these alone is proof of a problem, but together they're a pattern worth walking away from.
That web of trusted referrals is exactly what the Trust Network surfaces: the pros each professional personally vouches for, right on their profile.