Funny how often “just replace it all” comes up—usually from folks who want the easy payday. I agree, references are gold, but I also like to see photos of their past work. Sometimes a quick call isn’t enough; the details matter. Trusting your gut is underrated, honestly.
I hear you on the “just replace it all” crowd—drives me nuts. I’m with you, references are great, but I always ask for before-and-after pics too. Had a guy once who talked a good game, but his grout lines were all over the place... Trusting your gut plus a little detective work goes a long way.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had my fair share of “pros” who talked a big game but couldn’t lay tile straight to save their lives. One time, I hired a guy for a bathroom reno—he showed me a bunch of reference numbers, but when I asked for photos, he only had close-ups of the fixtures, nothing showing the whole job. That was a red flag right there. Ended up doing most of it myself after seeing his first day’s work.
Here’s my usual process: I ask for before-and-afters, like you said, but I also look for jobs similar to mine—not just any old kitchen or bath. Then I’ll actually call a couple of past clients and ask about punctuality, cleanup, and how they handled surprises. If someone gets defensive or dodges questions, I move on. Gut feeling matters, but I’ve learned to back it up with a little homework. It’s more work upfront, but way less headache down the line.
Definitely agree that gut feeling needs backup. I’ve learned the hard way with old houses—some folks just aren’t up for the quirks. A few things I always check:
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This is huge. For historic homes, I want to see proof they’ve worked with plaster, not just drywall.“I also look for jobs similar to mine—not just any old kitchen or bath.”
- Ask about their process with unexpected issues. If they can’t explain how they’d handle, say, discovering knob-and-tube wiring, that’s a flag.
- I always request references from projects at least a year old. It’s telling how the work’s holding up over time.
It’s a bit more legwork, but after one “pro” tried to use modern trim in my 1910s hallway, I’m not taking chances.
I get the need for references, but honestly, sometimes I’ve found the best folks are the ones who haven’t done a million “historic” jobs—they’re just super detail-oriented and willing to learn.
I mean, sure, but my favorite carpenter had never touched horsehair plaster before my place... now he’s basically a wizard with it. Maybe it’s more about attitude than resume?“For historic homes, I want to see proof they’ve worked with plaster, not just drywall.”