Match the business to the records
Ask for the legal business name and the credential relevant to your project. Compare that name with the estimate and contract. Use the Tennessee licensing lookup, and ask the local permit office about requirements specific to your work.
Check insurance for the work being performed
Request current evidence of insurance. Check the named business, coverage dates and the operations covered; ask the insurance provider to clarify anything uncertain. A logo or a website badge is not a substitute for current documentation.
Read past the star rating
Look at review count, recency and comments about projects like yours. A numerical rating is one signal. The way a business responds to problems can also help you decide which questions to ask.
Ask for a relevant reference
Ask whether the contractor has completed a comparable project and can share a reference with permission. Discuss communication, changes and follow-up, as well as the finished result.
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors: consumer resources
Tennessee license verification