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Even the handiest homeowner might not have the time or the expertise to DIY every home improvement project. And while the Bob Vila team loves a DIY project as much as our readers do, we acknowledge that some jobs require some support or are simply best left to experts. Professionals are more efficient, know code or other requirements best, and have the necessary certifications and crucial safety equipment.
That’s why we recognize the heroes of projects big and small, indoors and out. Now in our second year of the Home Improvement Heroes Awards, we’ve evaluated and assessed hundreds of companies across the United States to reach a short list of who we’d hire for improvements and repairs. Your home is one of the most important investments you can make, and you should feel confident about who you put your trust in when it comes to hiring help. Keep reading to find out which companies we found had top-tier service at a competitive price, including several new honorees for 2025.
Lawn and Garden
See the best landscaping companies.
EXCELLENT LANDSCAPING
The Grounds Guys
COMPLETE TREE SERVICES
Bartlett Tree Experts
EXCELLENT LANDSCAPING: The Grounds Guys
In addition to standard landscaping and lawn care services, The Grounds Guys can help customers remove snow, de-ice driveways and footpaths, install artificial turf, and hang decorative lights, among other service options. Vetting local landscapers can be tricky, but The Grounds Guys retains an in-house team of licensed and certified lawn care professionals to deliver exceptional services.
COMPLETE TREE SERVICES: Bartlett Tree Experts
Even with offices around the world, Bartlett Tree Experts is still run by the fourth-generation family of its founder, Francis A. Bartlett. With basic services like pruning, fertilizing, and cabling or bracing, Bartlett can help homeowners maintain healthy trees from any of their 215 U.S. offices, especially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. But the company’s commitment to trees goes way beyond the basics, with a fully equipped diagnostic laboratory and other resources to support its field staff when identifying tree diseases, as well as cultural or environmental problems. Turn to the helpful resources section of their website or sign up for the company’s Tree Tips newsletter for between-visit expertise.
Pest and Wildlife Control
See the best pest control companies and the best termite control companies.
TOTAL PEST CONTROL
Orkin
WORRY-FREE TERMITE REMOVAL
Terminix
HUMANE WILDLIFE REMOVAL
Critter Control
TOTAL PEST CONTROL: Orkin
When homeowners face pest problems, Orkin professionals are just a call away. The company’s expert technicians each receive 160 hours of award-winning training to prepare them for any infestation and to effectively eliminate any pest. In fact, Orkin holds a QualityPro accreditation in recognition of the company’s high standards in training pest control professionals and providing customers with expert service. Many Orkin technicians even receive ongoing education from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding pest-related diseases. And because Orkin has more than 400 locations throughout the country, homeowners are likely to find a branch close by in their time of need.
WORRY-FREE TERMITE REMOVAL: Terminix
Terminix is the best in the business when it comes to dealing with termites. The company offers three different treatment plans, depending on the severity of the infestation and the scope of work required, to remove termites and ensure they don’t return. The company has more than 300 locations throughout the country, and you can conveniently schedule inspections and treatments through the Terminix website.
HUMANE WILDLIFE REMOVAL: Critter Control
While homeowners will want to get bats, snakes, raccoons, and other wildlife off their property as soon as possible, removing animals humanely is just as important. That’s where Critter Control shines. Having helped set the industry standards for wildlife removal, the company now has locations in 40 states and employs certified wildlife specialists to identify and remove nuisance animals and prevent them from returning. The sheer variety of animals these technicians are prepared to wrangle with is staggering, ranging from common pests like rats, mice, skunks, and opossums to regional wildlife such as armadillos and bobcats.
Major Systems
See the best plumbing services and the best HVAC companies.
DEPENDABLE PLUMBERS
Mr. Rooter
RELIABLE HVAC TECHNICIANS
One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning
TRUSTY STANDBY GENERATOR INSTALL
Briggs & Stratton
DEPENDABLE PLUMBERS: Mr. Rooter
Finding a trustworthy plumber who can respond in a flash to leaky pipes, overflowing toilets, and backed-up drains may seem like a pipe dream, but Mr. Rooter is as reliable as they come. The company never charges customers for overtime, even if a plumber visits their home on a weekend, over a holiday, or after regular business hours. They price plumbing jobs up front and with flat rates so you know exactly what you’re paying for before work commences. The company guarantees the quality of workmanship on all repair jobs for 90 days too, so you don’t need to worry about footing the bill to have a plumber return if you’re still experiencing problems with your pipes.
RELIABLE HVAC TECHNICIANS: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Dependability is a cornerstone value for One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. Each technician is thoroughly vetted and trained before they can represent the company. We like that it offers an on-time guarantee, promising to waive any service fee if the technician fails to arrive during the scheduled appointment window. Any HVAC service completed is also guaranteed by a 2-year warranty. For access to additional benefits, including discounted rates and priority scheduling perks, customers can enroll in the company’s annual maintenance program.
TRUSTY STANDBY GENERATOR INSTALL: Briggs & Stratton
Hooking up a small portable generator for occasional use is easy enough to do on your own as needed, but buying a larger whole-home or standby generator requires permanent, professional installation. Installers of Briggs & Stratton’s Power Protect connect the generator to a home’s electrical power at the meter and even to the home’s gas line. Then, when disaster strikes, the unit kicks on automatically to power most or all of a home’s electrical circuits, such as lights, refrigerators, and medical equipment. Its dealer locator helps you find a local professional to help you size your home, select the best generator model for your needs, and receive a free in-home estimate that includes installation. Plus, the authorized dealer will obtain necessary permits and materials required for your install.
Interior Installations
See the best flooring companies, the best carpet installation companies, the best kitchen remodelling companies, and the best house painters.
SUPERIOR FLOORING SOLUTIONS
Empire Today
SPEEDY CARPET INSTALLATION
Luna
SUPERIOR FLOORING SOLUTIONS: Empire Today
Customers who go with Empire Today for their flooring needs can choose from high-quality traditional hardwood flooring to luxurious carpet textures that are sure to beautify their home. Getting an accurate quote is easy thanks to the transparent, all-inclusive price estimates. Depending on inventory, they might even offer next-day installation. The company eases the decision-making process through free in-home visits so you can see samples in your space and Empire’s Flooring Designer (a room-visualizer tool) to better picture the end product before purchasing and installing new flooring.
SPEEDY CARPET INSTALLATION: Luna
With a wide assortment of high-quality carpet options to choose from, Luna offers customers the opportunity to find the right style, material, and color to complement their home. Next-day installation might be available as well, so customers can begin enjoying their new carpeting as soon as possible. Optional long-term service plans offer peace of mind to cover the cost of removing accidental stains and repairing snags, rips, and tears due to accidents during that time. Luna even has a low-price guarantee worth checking out.
SLEEK COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION
The Home Depot
CUSTOMER-CENTERED PAINTING
CertaPro
SLEEK COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION: The Home Depot
A new countertop can transform an outdated kitchen, and your local home improvement center can connect you with the best local installation crews to make it possible. The Home Depot’s inventory provides both off-the-shelf and custom options for customers to explore. Get help making that decision with the company’s free in-home consultations for all countertop installation projects or set up a virtual consultation, use an online design tool, or pick out materials at your local store. If you have any questions, you can contact customer service online, over the phone, or by sending a text message.
CUSTOMER-CENTERED PAINTING: CertaPro
Hiring a pro to paint the interior of your home can get you cleaner, more durable results than taking on the DIY task. The best house painting company will work closely with customers to achieve the quality results they want, with no surprises at the end. CertaPro painters provide a project plan for each customer and update them on progress daily once painting begins. Best of all, their online pricing guide tells customers what to expect, with no surprises on the job estimate or final invoice. Some CertaPro locations also offer color consultations, and all 350 CertaPro locations provide a 2-year guarantee on their work.
Exterior Installations
See the best window replacement companies, the best roofing companies, and the best home security.
QUALITY WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Renewal By Andersen
DURABLE ROOFING
Aspen Contracting
QUALITY WINDOW REPLACEMENT: Renewal by Andersen
Looking to enhance the natural lighting in your home? Renewal By Andersen utilizes cutting-edge augmented reality technology to help customers visualize how new windows will fit in any room or space so they can select the right windows for their home. Environmentally-conscious homeowners will be pleased to know that Renewal By Andersen uses a variety of eco-friendly materials when replacing windows, including Green Seal Certified products. Best of all, every installation project comes with several generous warranties, including a 20-year transferable warranty on glass and Fibrex material.
DURABLE ROOFING: Aspen Contracting
Aspen Contracting assigns a dedicated consultant to every roofing project so homeowners receive hands-on support at every stage of the job. In an emergency—if a tree branch falls during a storm and damages the roof, for instance—you can call Aspen Contracting 24/7 to schedule immediate repairs. While installing a new roof is a pricey undertaking, Aspen Contracting helps homeowners manage that expense by delaying billing until the project is complete and the customer is 100 percent satisfied.
GARAGE DOOR SOLUTIONS
Overhead Door
COMPREHENSIVE DIY SECURITY
SimpliSafe
GARAGE DOOR SOLUTIONS: Overhead Door
An original inventor of the upward-lifting garage door and a partner in inventing the first electric opener, Overhead Door’s founder toured the country in the 1920s to sign up distributors. Today, Overhead Door has more than 400 locations in at least 370 cities. Customers can select from a range of door models in modern, carriage house, wood plank, or classic style and the same distributor can install the door and opener. Even better, the local companies offer repair services like broken springs, opener or cable repair, or track repair on any garage door brand. They even have a same-day urgent door repair service for stuck or damaged doors.
COMPREHENSIVE DIY SECURITY: SimpliSafe
Home security doesn’t need to be a luxury—it’s possible to safeguard your home with affordable DIY installation and monitoring. Simplisafe customers can opt for a range of security levels and add-ons. The company’s outdoor basic package includes a base station, keypad, three entry sensors, one motion sensor, and one outdoor camera with AI technology. Or you can build a custom system starting with a required base station and key pad, then build on sensors (entry, motion, glassbreak), cameras, and other add-ons such as smoke detectors. The wireless system is easy to install, and homeowners can arm or disarm the system remotely and access live video fees at no monthly cost; opt for self-monitoring with recording at a low monthly price with no contract; or choose a professional monitoring plan from the company. The company also offers professional installation for a fee.
Renovation and Repair
See the best home renovation contractors and the best mold removal companies.
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Mr. Handyman
ON-THE-SPOT MOLD REMOVAL
ServiceMaster Restore
JACK OF ALL TRADES: Mr. Handyman
Mr. Handyman’s home renovation experts have, on average, 10 years of experience and are qualified to tackle everything from a simple drywall patch to a ground-up kitchen remodel. No matter the franchise location, Mr. Handyman provides a worry-free experience thanks to transparent scheduling and payment processes as well as a generous 1-year satisfaction guarantee on any completed work. Customers can also conveniently book renovation jobs through the Neighborly app.
ON-THE-SPOT MOLD REMOVAL: ServiceMaster Restore
Getting rid of mold is a time-sensitive job; the longer homeowners wait, the more the problem (and mold) grows. ServiceMaster Restore can send a technician to your home within 4 hours to start the removal process without delay. The company will lend a helping hand when it comes to navigating insurance, too, contacting the homeowners insurance provider within 24 hours of receiving a service request. Should you have any questions or concerns about the lingering effects and potential harm of mold, the ServiceMaster Restore team and the company’s extensive online mold remediation resources are both readily available for guidance.
DIY Assistance
See the best DIY lawn care programs, the best DIY pest control subscriptions, and the best tool rental services.
DIY-FRIENDLY LAWN SOLUTIONS
Sunday
ALMOST ANY TOOL RENTAL
Sunbelt Rentals
DIY-FRIENDLY LAWN SOLUTIONS: Sunday
Whether you’re dealing with weeds, patchy spots, or pests, Sunday offers a tailored DIY treatment delivered as a subscription—exactly what you need, ahead of when you need it. Lawn care plans are tailored to the customer’s location, climate, and soil makeup; pest control boxes are similarly finely tuned to their precise needs according to information provided about trouble spots, type of insect, and other factors. Sunday Lawn Care only uses sustainable grass seed (all approved by the non-profit A-List) as well as low-risk pesticides and repellents. Because it’s an entirely DIY solution, a Sunday Lawn Care subscription is relatively affordable, making it easier for homeowners to budget for ongoing lawn care and pest control needs.
ALMOST ANY TOOL RENTAL: Sunbelt Rentals
Tackling a DIY project but don’t want to shell out for specialized tools? Sunbelt Rentals has an enormous selection of tools available—14,000 in total—for customers to rent on an as-needed basis. The company offers seasonal tools such as aerators and hedge trimmers for DIYers and contractor-approved equipment including scissor lifts, scaffolding, and forklifts. There’s also a wide selection of low- or zero-emission equipment available to rent. Sunbelt Rentals offers tool rental services across the entire country, and you can get assistance at any time thanks to the company’s 24/7 customer service line.
Cleaning
See the best cleaning services and the best junk removal services.
PRISTINE CLEANING SERVICES
The Maids
SUSTAINABLE JUNK REMOVAL
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
PRISTINE CLEANING SERVICES: The Maids
Whether in need of ongoing maid services or a top-to-bottom deep-cleaning of your entire house, you can turn to The Maids for help. The company uses a 22-step deep-cleaning process to remove dirt, dust, and grime; disinfect surfaces; remove allergens; and leave the entire home spotless. No surface or floor goes untreated—The Maids even offers carpet-cleaning services tailored to specific types of carpet fibers for the deepest clean possible.
SUSTAINABLE JUNK REMOVAL: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving junk removal crews can haul away even large appliances, bulky furniture, mattresses, exercise equipment, and hot tubs. The company also makes every effort to recycle, reuse, or responsibly dispose of any unwanted items. In fact, 70 percent of the “junk” removed by the company is disposed of in this fashion. College Hunks has close working relationships with several charitable organizations to donate items that still have life to give. If cleaning out your space before a move, you also might be interested in the company’s moving services; they can hire one service provider to handle everything.
Home Design and Organization
See the best closet design companies, the best home organization services, and the best garage organization companies.
ACCESSIBLE INTERIOR DESIGN
Havenly
ELEGANT CLOSET DESIGN
California Closets
ACCESSIBLE INTERIOR DESIGN: Havenly
Hiring an interior designer may seem extravagant, but Havenly’s relatively affordable per-room rates allow homeowners to take advantage of interior design services. While the company offers in-person consultations in select markets, anyone can set up a virtual consultation regardless of where they live in the U.S. Customers can peruse detailed profiles for any designer the service matches them with, giving them all the information they need to decide who has the right sensibilities and tastes to redesign their home. Once you have decided on a designer, expect to receive a completed design in just 2 to 3 business days.
ELEGANT CLOSET DESIGN: California Closets
California Closets helps homeowners from coast to coast spruce up their living space and declutter their home with high-quality closet designs. The company boasts nearly 140 showrooms across North America, but if you can’t find one nearby, connect with one of the company’s 1,000-plus design consultants. Customers can customize their design or choose from many modular options for a tried-and-true solution to their organization needs. A wide variety of add-on features and accessories—including charging stations, built-in laundry hampers, and jewelry trays—let customers tailor their closet design to their belongings and get the most out of their space.
THE DECLUTTERING EXPERTS
NEAT Method
SPACE-SMART ORGANIZATION
Gorgeous Garage
THE DECLUTTERING EXPERTS: NEAT Method
The home organization pros at NEAT Method can help you get the most out of your living space with all-inclusive decluttering services that allow you to be as hands-on as you like. Customers don’t need to be involved at all if they choose—they can leave everything in the capable hands of the NEAT Method, from buying organization products to donating unwanted belongings. Decluttering plans are customized to the space and the homeowner’s needs, creating organization systems that are stylish and sustainable for years to come. The NEAT Method has locations in many parts of the U.S., and customers from all over the country can book a virtual session if they prefer a more DIY approach to home organization.
SPACE-SMART ORGANIZATION: Gorgeous Garage
Gorgeous Garage offers organization services—including extensive garage design packages—in many parts of the country. The company focuses on taking advantage of vertical space, installing shelving units and wall-mounted organizational systems to house bikes, tools, sporting equipment, and more. Customers can also purchase additional storage products and accessories to modify their garage according to their exact needs. Those who want to give their garage a complete face-lift will also find floor installation and refinishing services available. And storage hardware (along with brackets, bars, and hooks) comes with a lifetime warranty so customers can schedule repairs or replacements at no additional cost.
Our Evaluation Process
The Bob Vila editors know firsthand how important it is to hire the right company, so we use a rigorous and robust four-step process to assess companies for our readers’ consideration.
1. Determining Client Expectations
First, we determined what criteria would be most important to homeowners in need of a professional service. This criteria often included, but was not limited to:
- Availability and ease of scheduling
- Standard skills, expertise, and certifications of hired professionals
- Range of services offered
- Cost, fees, and financing options
- Reputation
- Customer reviews and feedback
- Guarantees and refund policies
- Customer support
2. Building a List of Finalists
We also paid special attention to companies that have a nationwide presence (though we did not exclude companies with a regional footprint), those that have received awards, and those that have been in business for many years.
3. Rating Our Picks
Once we narrowed our list of finalists—including honorees from our first year—we independently reviewed each company. We weighed each based on the set of factors we determined would be the most important for clients to consider. We spent weeks browsing company websites, but we also sought out additional details from customer service representatives. We even hired some of these companies for our own projects and weighed those experiences against the information they provided.
4. Awarding Our Finalists
In addition to determining each company’s strengths and weaknesses, we set out to understand what made each one truly unique in its industry—perhaps an uncommon service offered, an industry award, an emphasis on sustainable practices, or other noteworthy attributes. From there, we chose an award for each that we believed would best communicate to potential clients whether or not that company would be a good fit for their needs. In our guides, BobVila.com’s Best Overall award is often given to the company that is best for most people, balancing high-quality service, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, and good reputation. Each one of our Best Overall company picks is a standout in its line of work and worth considering for your next project.
Disclaimer: Many companies with a nationwide presence operate through independently owned branches. Individual experiences may vary.
