GREENSBORO, N.C. – When your pipes break and the kitchen’s flooding, not many of us are going to call around to friends for recommendations on a good plumber. Most people Google and choose the first name that pops up. Now Duke Energy is offering a better referral service for contractors of all types.
To get a referral, you fill out an online form. Then Duke Energy will send you three to five contractors who do the work you need in your city. They did this because customers where having a hard time finding contractors for some energy efficiently upgrades. And the execs thought: hey let's help them find all kinds of home improvement experts. But here's what 2 Wants to Know is focused on: the site says right up top, "find a reputable home improvement professional." But how does Duke know they are reputable?
"We have a strict vetting process to participate in this program. We look at customer satisfaction ratings, we inspect their work," said Duke Energy’s Meghan Miles.
Duke says it inspects the first five jobs that contractor goes on. And then 10 percent of jobs after that. Plus, customers like you are asked to fill out reviews.
"They are continually meeting our expectations and exceeding it to be part of this program,” Miles said.
If a contractor falls short, Duke says they are out of the program. And before ever being allowed in, contractors have to prove they have a state license, insurance for their work, and proper training. They also have to submit their Better Business Bureau profile to Duke.
"Only our top performing contractors are invited to participate in the program,” Miles said.
Duke has given out about 1,000 referrals since this program started on June 30th. Because it's so new, the company says there hasn't been time to get customer satisfaction survives back yet.
If you end up getting a referral from Duke, there's still some key things you need to do. Don't just go with the first person on the list. Get estimates from two or more companies in writing. Also get in writing how the contractor will clean up after themselves. For example, will they haul off your old sink and tile. Or are you responsible. Finally, and most importantly: don't pay for everything up front. Period.
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