Personal Profile
How We Determine Fair Home Service Rates
At Home Repair Rates.com, our mission is simple: to bring transparency to the home-service industry. To build our Fair Rate Guide, we research pricing from a wide range of reputable plumbing, HVAC, and home-repair companies across North Texas and beyond.
We regularly contact service providers, review publicly available price lists, compare service structures, and verify averages across multiple sources. By gathering real-world pricing directly from the companies doing the work, we’re able to provide homeowners with a clear, realistic picture of what a fair rate should look like.
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions—so you can hire confidently and avoid surprises.
Low prices can be a warning sign. Companies far below fair-market rates often cut corners on licensing, insurance, workmanship, parts, or customer service. Watch out for missing license numbers, no written estimates, cash-only payments, high-pressure sales, and poor online reviews.
Red Flags When a Company Charges Below Fair Rates
1. Extremely Low “Intro” or “$0 Service Call” Offers
If a company’s prices seem too good to be true, they often are. Many low-rate companies use “free” or ultra-cheap service fees to get in the door—then upsell expensive, unnecessary repairs.
2. No License Number on Their Website or Vehicle
Licensed contractors must display their license information. If you can’t easily find it, that’s a major warning sign.
3. No Insurance or Proof of Liability Coverage
Companies that operate at unsustainably low prices often skip proper insurance. That puts you at risk if something goes wrong.
4. Unmarked or Poorly Branded Vehicles
Not always a deal-breaker—but legitimate companies usually invest in professional branding. Unmarked vans can hint at side jobs or unlicensed operators.
5. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Low price upfront → high pressure once inside the home.
Common tactics include:
-
"This needs to be done today or your home will be damaged."
-
Refusing to leave until you agree to a repair.
-
Not providing written estimates.
6. No Written Estimate or Warranty
Reliable companies put everything in writing and offer clear warranties.
Cheap fly-by-night companies often avoid written documentation to dodge accountability.
7. Poor Online Presence or No Reviews
Little to no digital footprint, missing reviews, or a pattern of negative feedback is a major red flag—especially if paired with unusually low prices.
8. Only Accepting Cash or Cash App
A legitimate company will accept multiple payment forms and provide receipts. Cash-only “contractors” often avoid taxes, licensing, or responsibility.
9. Using Generic or Vague Parts
Cut-rate pricing sometimes means:
-
cheap parts
-
unbranded materials
-
no specifications on what they're installing
Low-quality parts almost always mean more repairs later.
10. They Won’t Answer Basic Questions
You should be able to ask:
-
Are you licensed and insured?
-
What’s included in this price?
-
What brand parts do you use?
-
Do you offer a warranty?
Evasive or unclear answers = red flag.