Step 1: Verify Years in Business — Same Entity
How long has THIS legal entity been operating? Not ‘how many years has the principal been in construction’ (that obscures rebrands). The actual LLC or corporation. 7+ years suggests stability; 3 years or less in current entity warrants deeper investigation. Tennessee Secretary of State website lists formation dates.
Step 2: Pull Court Records
Search Tennessee court records (state and federal) for the builder, principal, and prior entities. Lawsuits from past clients are the strongest signal of how the builder operates under stress. One lawsuit can be a difficult client; multiple lawsuits or a pattern is a different story.
Step 3: Talk to Past Clients — Specifically Year 2 and Year 5
Recent clients can speak to current state. Year 2 clients can speak to warranty responsiveness. Year 5 clients can speak to long-term quality and the builder still answering the phone. The full timeline reveals far more than recent reviews.
Step 4: Verify Insurance and Bonding
Current general liability, workers comp, and bonding documents — sent directly from the insurance company, not just shown by the builder. The verification confirms the policies are real and current. Lapsed insurance is a common red flag that means you’re personally exposed if anything goes wrong on the build.
Step 5: Check Subcontractor Relationships
Talk to 2-3 subs the builder uses regularly. Are they paid on time? Long-standing relationships? Subs who’ve worked with the builder for years signal stability and integrity. Subs cycling through quickly signal payment problems and instability.
Ready to Get Started?
Good Day Living invites every kind of vetting; we have nothing to hide. gdayliving.com or (629) 299-1460.
