Before you hire
Hiring guides
What each trade does, how licensing usually works, and the questions to ask before you hire. General information, not legal advice: rules differ by state.
- How to hire a home theater installerDedicated theater rooms and media rooms: what a home theater installer designs and builds, who else is involved, and the questions to ask before you hire one.
- How to hire a low-voltage contractorWhole-home Wi-Fi, network cabling and structured wiring: what low-voltage contractors do, how licensing varies by state, and what to ask before you hire.
- How to hire a security system installerAlarms, cameras and access control: what security installers do, how alarm licensing varies by state, monitoring contracts and questions to ask first.
- How to hire a smart home installerLighting control, automation, shades and thermostats: what smart home installers do, the systems they use, who owns the programming, and what to ask first.
- How to hire an AV installerTV mounting, whole-home audio, outdoor speakers and video distribution: what AV installers do, when you also need an electrician, and what to ask.
- How to hire an electricianWhat electricians do, how electrical licensing usually works, when you need a permit, and the questions to ask before you hire one for your home.
Ready to look? Search the directory by ZIP code.