Our Standards
How we decide who makes the list—and who doesn't. No shortcuts, no pay-to-play, just data-driven recommendations.
Finding a reliable contractor shouldn't feel like gambling. That's why we created Good Neighbor—to do the research homeowners don't have time for and surface only the service providers who consistently deliver quality work.
Every business on our site has been evaluated against the same rigorous criteria. We analyze reviews across multiple platforms, look for patterns over time, screen for red flags, and verify credentials. The result? A shortlist you can actually trust.
What We Look For
Every recommended business must meet all of these criteria.
Review Consistency
4.5+ stars across platforms
We analyze ratings across Google, Yelp, and Facebook. A business must maintain strong ratings consistently—not just on one platform where reviews might be cherry-picked.
- Minimum 4.5-star average across all platforms
- No single platform below 4.0 stars
- Weighted by review volume and recency
Track Record
2+ years of reviews
Anyone can have a great first year. We look for businesses with a proven track record over time—showing they deliver quality consistently, not just when they're new and hungry.
- Minimum 2 years of review history
- Consistent quality over time, not declining
- Recent activity (reviews within last 6 months)
Review Volume
Sufficient feedback to evaluate
A 5-star rating from 3 reviews doesn't tell us much. We need enough data points to identify real patterns and ensure the rating reflects genuine customer experiences.
- Minimum review count varies by trade and market size
- Reviews spread over time, not clustered
- Mix of detailed and brief reviews
Red Flag Screening
No patterns of serious complaints
Every business gets an occasional bad review. We're looking for patterns—repeated complaints about the same issues signal systemic problems we can't ignore.
- No patterns of billing disputes or surprise charges
- No repeated complaints about no-shows or delays
- No reports of property damage or poor workmanship
- No concerning responses to negative reviews
Licensing & Insurance
Verified where required
For trades that require licensing in Illinois (plumbers, electricians, HVAC), we verify credentials. We also confirm businesses carry appropriate liability insurance.
- Valid state/local licenses for regulated trades
- Liability insurance coverage
- Workers compensation where applicable
Local Presence
Actually serves the community
We recommend businesses that genuinely serve your area—not national chains routing calls to whoever's available or contractors who'll charge extra for the drive.
- Physical presence or established service area
- History of serving the local community
- Reasonable response times for the area
Response Quality
Professional handling of issues
How a business responds to negative reviews tells us a lot. We look for professionalism, accountability, and genuine efforts to resolve problems—not defensiveness or excuses.
- Responds to reviews (positive and negative)
- Takes responsibility when appropriate
- Offers solutions, not just excuses
No Pay-to-Play
Zero paid placements
This is non-negotiable. We never accept payment for inclusion or ranking. Our recommendations are based entirely on merit. Businesses can't buy their way onto our list.
- No payment for inclusion ever
- No payment for higher rankings
- Sponsored partners are clearly labeled (and still must meet all criteria)
What Disqualifies a Business
These issues will keep a business off our list—or get them removed.
- Consistent complaints about hidden fees or billing issues
- Pattern of missed appointments or poor communication
- Reports of unfinished or substandard work
- Aggressive or unprofessional responses to criticism
- Evidence of fake or incentivized reviews
- Lack of required licensing for regulated trades
- Recent legal issues or regulatory actions
Our Process
How a business goes from unknown to recommended.
We aggregate reviews from Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other sources. We analyze ratings, review content, and patterns over time.
We look for red flags—complaint patterns, licensing issues, concerning responses. Many businesses don't make it past this step.
Businesses that pass all criteria earn our recommendation. We continue monitoring to ensure quality stays consistent.
Common Questions
How often do you re-evaluate businesses?
We continuously monitor reviews and ratings. If a recommended business shows a pattern of declining quality or new red flags emerge, we'll re-evaluate their status. Our goal is to keep recommendations current and accurate.
Can a business pay to be recommended?
Absolutely not. Our recommendations are based entirely on merit. Businesses can become "Featured Partners" which gives them additional visibility, but they must first meet all our criteria independently. Partnership status is always clearly labeled.
What if I have a bad experience with a recommended business?
We want to hear about it. While no business is perfect 100% of the time, patterns matter. If you have a concerning experience, contact us. Your feedback helps us maintain the quality of our recommendations.
Why isn't [business name] on your list?
There are several possible reasons: they may not meet our rating thresholds, lack sufficient review history, have concerning patterns we've identified, or simply haven't been evaluated yet. We're always expanding our coverage.
How is this different from Yelp or Angi?
Unlike platforms where businesses can pay for prominent placement, our recommendations are purely merit-based. We also do the analysis for you—instead of sorting through hundreds of results, we've already identified the businesses that consistently deliver quality.
Ready to find a trusted pro?
Browse recommended service providers in your area—all vetted against our standards.