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Even the handiest homeowner may not have the time or the expertise to DIY every home improvement project. And while the Bob Vila team loves a DIY project as much as our readers do, we have to acknowledge that some jobs are simply best left to experts. Not only do they tend to be more efficient, but professionals also know the requirements best and have the necessary certifications and crucial safety equipment.
Much like how our team tests products all year long to determine which are worth your money, we spend just as much time evaluating and assessing hundreds of companies across the United States to bring homeowners a list of who we’d hire. Your home is one of the most important investments you can make, and you should be able to feel confident about who you put your trust in when it comes to hiring help. Keep reading to find out which companies we found top-tier service at a competitive price in 2024.
Lawn and Garden
See the best lawn care services and the best landscaping companies of 2024.
METICULOUS LAWN CARE
TruGreen
EXCELLENT LANDSCAPING SERVICES
The Grounds Guys
METICULOUS LAWN CARE: TruGreen
Keeping a lawn healthy and green all year round is hard work, but the lawn care professionals at TruGreen can take care of everything from weed control to aeration. The company offers lawn care services across the contiguous United States, with more customized treatments for those whose lawns have fallen into disrepair or simply need a more personalized touch. TruGreen’s website houses an impressive library of helpful educational resources, including guides on seasonal lawn care, pest control, and lawn disease treatment.
EXCELLENT LANDSCAPING SERVICES: The Grounds Guys
In addition to standard landscaping and lawn care services, The Grounds Guys can help customers remove snow, de-ice driveways and footpaths, install artificial turf, and hang decorative lights, among other service options. Vetting local landscapers can be tricky, but The Grounds Guys retains an in-house team of licensed and certified lawn care professionals to deliver exceptional services.
Pest and Wildlife Control
See the best pest control companies, the best termite control companies, and the best wildlife removal services of 2024.
TOTAL PEST CONTROL
Orkin
WORRY-FREE TERMITE REMOVAL
Terminix
HUMANE WILDLIFE REMOVAL
Critter Control
TOTAL PEST CONTROL: Orkin
When homeowners face pest problems, Orkin professionals are just a call away. The company’s expert technicians each receive 160 hours of award-winning training to prepare them for any infestation and to effectively eliminate any pest. In fact, Orkin holds a QualityPro accreditation in recognition of the company’s high standards when it comes to training pest control professionals and providing customers with expert service. Many Orkin technicians even receive ongoing education from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding pest-related diseases. And because Orkin has more than 400 locations throughout the country, homeowners are likely to find a branch close by in their time of need.
WORRY-FREE TERMITE REMOVAL: Terminix
Terminix is the best in the business when it comes to dealing with termites. The company offers three different treatment plans, depending on the severity of the infestation and the scope of work required, to remove termites and ensure they don’t return. The company has more than 300 locations throughout the country, and customers can conveniently schedule inspections and treatments through the Terminix website.
HUMANE WILDLIFE REMOVAL: Critter Control
While homeowners will want to get bats, snakes, raccoons, and other wildlife off their property as soon as possible, removing animals humanely is just as important. That’s where Critter Control shines. Having helped set the industry standards for wildlife removal, the company employs certified wildlife specialists to identify and remove nuisance animals and prevent them from returning. The sheer variety of animals these technicians are prepared to wrangle with is staggering, ranging from common pests like rats, mice, skunks, and opossums to regional wildlife such as armadillos and bobcats.
Major Systems
See the best plumbing services and the best HVAC companies of 2024.
DEPENDABLE PLUMBERS
Mr. Rooter
RELIABLE HVAC TECHNICIANS
One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning
DEPENDABLE PLUMBERS: Mr. Rooter
Finding a trustworthy plumber who can respond in a flash to leaky pipes, overflowing toilets, and backed-up drains may seem like pipe dream, but Mr. Rooter is as reliable as they come. Customers are never upcharged, even if a plumber comes out to their home on a weekend, over a holiday, or after regular business hours. All plumbing jobs are priced out up front and with flat rates so customers know exactly what they’re paying for before work commences. The company guarantees the quality of workmanship on all repair jobs for 90 days too, so homeowners don’t need to worry about footing the bill to have their plumber return if they’re still experiencing problems with their pipes.
RELIABLE HVAC TECHNICIANS: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Trustworthiness and dependability are cornerstone values for One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. This is why every technician must agree to a background check and drug test before they can represent the company, and why it offers an on-time guarantee (the company promises to waive any service fee if the technician fails to arrive during the scheduled appointment window). Any HVAC services completed are guaranteed by a 2-year warranty. For access to additional benefits, including discounted rates and priority scheduling perks, customers can enroll in the company’s annual maintenance program.
Interior Installations
See the best flooring companies, the best carpet installation companies, and best countertop installers of 2024.
SUPERIOR FLOORING SOLUTIONS
Empire Today
SPEEDY CARPET INSTALLATION
Luna
SLEEK COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION
The Home Depot
SUPERIOR FLOORING SOLUTIONS: Empire Today
Customers who go with Empire Today for their flooring needs can choose from high-quality traditional hardwood flooring to luxurious carpet textures that are sure to beautify their home. Getting an accurate quote is easy thanks to the transparent, all-inclusive price estimates, and depending on inventory, next-day installation may be available. Customers can also take advantage of Empire’s Flooring Designer (a room-visualizer tool) to see exactly how different styles and colors will look in their homes before flooring is installed.
SPEEDY CARPET INSTALLATION: Luna
With a wide assortment of high-quality carpet options to choose from, Luna offers customers the opportunity to find the right style, material, and color to complement their home. As soon as next-day installation may be available as well, so customers can begin enjoying their new carpeting as soon as possible. The long 50-month service plans offer peace of mind as Luna will cover the cost of removing accidental stains and repairing snags, rips, and tears due to accidents during that time. Luna even has a low price guarantee worth checking out.
SLEEK COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION: The Home Depot
A new countertop can transform an outdated kitchen into a home chef’s delight. The Home Depot connects homeowners with the best local installation crews to make this dream a reality. With its vast inventory of materials and products, The Home Depot provides both off-the-shelf and custom options for customers to explore. But customers don’t have to make that decision on their own because The Home Depot provides free in-home consultations for all countertop installation projects. Don’t need that in-person touch? Customers can also set up a virtual consultation, shop online, or pick out materials at their local store. If they have any questions, they can contact customer service online, over the phone, or by sending a text message. And if they need a little help covering the cost of a major home improvement project, customers can take advantage of The Home Depot’s many financing options to fit new countertops into their household budget.
Exterior Installations
See the best window replacement companies and the best roofing companies of 2024.
TOP-QUALITY WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Renewal By Andersen
DURABLE ROOFING
Aspen Contracting
TOP-QUALITY WINDOW REPLACEMENT: Renewal by Andersen
Looking to enhance the natural lighting in your home? Renewal By Andersen utilizes cutting-edge augmented reality technology to help customers visualize how new windows will fit in any room or space so they can select the right windows for their home. Environmentally conscious homeowners will be pleased to know that Renewal By Andersen uses a variety of eco-friendly materials when replacing windows, including Green Seal Certified products. Best of all, every installation project comes with several generous warranties, including a 20-year transferable warranty on glass and Fibrex material.
DURABLE ROOFING: Aspen Contracting
Aspen Contracting assigns a dedicated consultant to every roofing project so homeowners receive hands-on support at every stage of the job. In an emergency—if a tree branch falls during a storm and damages the roof, for instance—homeowners can call Aspen Contracting 24/7 to schedule immediate repairs. While installing a new roof is a pricey undertaking, Aspen Contracting helps homeowners manage that expense by delaying billing until the project is complete and the customer is 100 percent satisfied.
Renovation and Repair
See the best home renovation contractors and the best mold removal companies of 2024.
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Mr. Handyman
ON-THE-SPOT MOLD REMOVAL
ServiceMaster Restore
JACK OF ALL TRADES: Mr. Handyman
Mr. Handyman’s home renovation experts have 10 years of experience, on average, and are qualified to tackle everything from a simple drywall patch to a ground-up kitchen remodel. No matter what franchise location a customer goes with, Mr. Handyman provides a worry-free experience thanks to transparent scheduling and payment processes as well as a generous 1-year satisfaction guarantee on any completed work. Customers can also conveniently book renovation jobs through the Neighborly app.
ON-THE-SPOT MOLD REMOVAL: ServiceMaster Restore
Getting rid of mold is a time-sensitive job, and the longer homeowners wait, the more the problem (and mold) grows. ServiceMaster Restore can send a technician to a customer’s home within 4 hours, starting the removal process without delay. The company will lend a helping hand when it comes to navigating insurance too, contacting the homeowner’s insurance provider within 24 hours of receiving a service request. Should you have any questions or concerns about the lingering effects and potential harm of mold, the ServiceMaster Restore team and the company’s extensive online mold remediation resources are both readily available for guidance.
DIY Assistance
See the best DIY lawn care programs, the best DIY pest control subscriptions, and the best tool rental services of 2024.
DIY-FRIENDLY LAWN CARE SOLUTIONS
Sunday Lawn Care
ALMOST ANY TOOL RENTAL
Sunbelt Rentals
DIY-FRIENDLY LAWN CARE SOLUTIONS: Sunday Lawn Care
A Sunday Lawn Care subscription is the gift that keeps on giving for any homeowner looking for a streamlined lawn maintenance or pest control plan. Customers can expect a quick yet thorough subscription process that determines exactly what they need and mails it ahead of when they need it. Lawn care plans are tailored to the customer’s soil makeup, and pest control boxes are similarly finely tuned to their precise needs according to information provided about trouble spots, type of critter, and other factors. Sunday Lawn Care only uses sustainable grass seed (all approved by the non-profit A-List) as well as low-risk pesticides and repellents. Because it’s an entirely DIY solution, a Sunday Lawn Care subscription is relatively affordable, making it easier for homeowners to budget for ongoing lawn care and pest control needs.
ALMOST ANY TOOL RENTAL: Sunbelt Rentals
Tackling a DIY project but don’t want to shell out for specialized tools? Sunbelt Rentals has an enormous selection of tools available—14,000 in total—for customers to rent on an as-needed basis. The company offers seasonal tools such as aerators and hedge trimmers for DIYers and contractor-approved equipment including scissor lifts, scaffolding, and forklifts. There’s also a wide selection of low- or zero-emission equipment available to rent. Sunbelt Rentals offers tool rental services across the entire country, and customers can get assistance at any time thanks to the company’s 24/7 customer service line.
Cleaning
See the best cleaning services and the best junk removal services of 2024.
PRISTINE CLEANING SERVICES
The Maids
SUSTAINABLE JUNK REMOVAL
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
PRISTINE CLEANING SERVICES: The Maids
Whether in need of ongoing maid services or a top-to-bottom deep-cleaning of their entire house, homeowners can turn to The Maids for help. The company uses a 22-step deep-cleaning process to remove dirt, dust, and grime; disinfect surfaces; remove allergens; and leave the entire home spotless. No surface or floor goes untreated—The Maids even offers carpet-cleaning services tailored to specific types of carpet fibers for the deepest clean possible.
SUSTAINABLE JUNK REMOVAL: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving junk removal crews can haul away even large appliances, bulky furniture, mattresses, exercise equipment, and hot tubs. Homeowners may feel that throwing away so many belongings is wasteful, but the company makes every effort to recycle, reuse, or responsibly dispose of any unwanted items. In fact, 70 percent of the “junk” removed by the company is disposed of in this fashion. College Hunks has close working relationships with several charitable organizations to donate items that still have life to give. Homeowners who are cleaning out their space before a move may also be interested in the company’s moving services so they can hire one service provider to handle everything.
Home Design and Organization
See the best interior design services, the best closet design companies, the best home organization services, and the best garage organization companies of 2024.
ACCESSIBLE INTERIOR DESIGN
Havenly
ELEGANT CLOSET DESIGN
California Closets
ACCESSIBLE INTERIOR DESIGN: Havenly
Hiring an interior designer may seem extravagant, but Havenly’s relatively affordable per-room rates allow homeowners everywhere to take advantage of interior design services. While the company offers in-person consultations in select markets, anyone can set up a virtual consultation regardless of where they live in the U.S. Customers can peruse detailed profiles for any designer they are matched with, giving them all the information they need to decide who has the right sensibilities and tastes to redesign their home. Once they have decided on a designer, customers can expect to receive their completed design in just 2 to 3 business days.
ELEGANT CLOSET DESIGN: California Closets
California Closets helps homeowners from coast to coast spruce up their living space and declutter their home with high-quality closet designs. The company boasts 120 showrooms across the country, but if homeowners can’t find one nearby, they can connect with one of its 800 design consultants. Customers can customize their design or choose from the many modular options for a tried-and-true solution to their organization needs. A wide variety of add-on features and accessories—including charging stations, built-in laundry hampers, and jewelry trays—let customers tailor their closet design to their belongings and get the most out of their space.
THE DECLUTTERING EXPERTS
NEAT Method
SPACE-SAVING GARAGE ORGANIZATION
Gorgeous Garage
THE DECLUTTERING EXPERTS: NEAT Method
The home organization pros at NEAT Method can help homeowners get the most out of their living space with all-inclusive decluttering services that allow customers to be as hands-on as they want to be. Customers don’t need to be involved at all if they choose—they can leave everything in the capable hands of the NEAT Method, from buying organization products to donating unwanted belongings. Every decluttering plan is customized to the space and the homeowner’s needs, creating organization systems that are stylish and sustainable for years to come. The NEAT Method has locations in many parts of the U.S., and customers from all over the country can book a virtual session if they prefer a more DIY approach to home organization.
SPACE-SAVING GARAGE ORGANIZATION: Gorgeous Garage
Gorgeous Garage offers organization services—including extensive garage design packages—in many parts of the country. The company focuses on taking advantage of vertical space, installing shelving units and wall-mounted organizational systems to house bikes, tools, sporting equipment, and more. Customers can also purchase additional storage products and accessories to modify their garage according to their exact needs. For those who want to give their garage a complete face-lift, floor installation and refinishing services are available too. And storage hardware (along with brackets, bars, and hooks) comes with a lifetime warranty so customers can schedule repairs or replacements at no additional cost.
Home Efficiency and Security
See the best solar companies and the best home security systems of 2024.
GOLD-STANDARD SOLAR
Sunpower
FULL-SERVICE HOME SECURITY
Vivint
GOLD-STANDARD SOLAR: Sunpower
SunPower is a leading light in the solar industry, providing high-quality and sustainable solar panel installations for homeowners across the entire country. The company maintains sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, and its panels and equipment have received Cradle-to-Cradle certification due to these efforts. The panels themselves are extremely high performing, with an industry-leading 22.8 percent efficiency rating. Customers can use SunPower’s interactive online design studio to plan their system’s layout and visualize how panels will look once installed on their roof.
FULL-SERVICE HOME SECURITY: Vivint
Vivint’s home security systems can provide all the protection homeowners need to feel safe at every hour of the day. As part of a standard package, every system includes a security camera equipped with intruder-deterrent technology that emits a loud noise and illuminates the device’s light if a person is detected within its range. These systems also have standard cellular radio and battery backup features so they will continue protecting the property even during a power outage. Homeowners can expand their system with several safety and security features, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and tools to protect vehicles parked on the property. They can also customize their security system with specific rules that automatically arm or disarm the system at set times as well as set user permissions that allow members of the household to perform actions through Vivint’s dedicated mobile app.
Our Evaluation Process
The Bob Vila editors know firsthand how important it is to hire the right company, so we spent the past year using a rigorous and robust four-step process to assess companies for our readers’ consideration.
1. Determining Client Expectations
First, we determined what criteria would be most important to homeowners in need of a professional service. This criteria often included, but was not limited to:
- Availability and ease of scheduling
- Standard skills, expertise, and certifications of hired professionals
- Range of services offered
- Cost, fees, and financing options
- Reputation
- Customer reviews and feedback
- Guarantees and refund policies
- Customer support
2. Building a List of Finalists
We also paid special attention to companies that have a nationwide presence (though we did not exclude companies with a regional footprint), those that have received awards, and those that have been in business for many years.
3. Rating Our Picks
Once we narrowed our list of finalists, we independently reviewed each company. We weighed each based on the set of factors we determined would be the most important for clients to consider. We spent weeks browsing company websites, but we also sought out additional details from customer service representatives. We even hired some of these companies for our own projects and weighed those experiences against the information they provided.
4. Awarding Our Finalists
In addition to determining each company’s strengths and weaknesses, we set out to understand what made each one truly unique in its industry—perhaps an uncommon service offered, an industry award, an emphasis on sustainable practices, or other noteworthy attributes. From there, we chose an award for each that we believed would best communicate to potential clients whether or not that company would be a good fit for their needs. BobVila.com’s Best Overall award is often given to the company that is best for most people, balancing high-quality service, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, and good reputation. Each one of our Best Overall company picks is a standout in its line of work and worth considering for your next project.
Disclaimer: Many companies with a nationwide presence operate through independently owned branches. Individual experiences may vary.