Frequently Asked Questions
What are Best Pick Reports™ and Home Reports™?
Why should I trust EBSCO research?
How are the publications funded?
Are EBSCO Research ratings based on limited reviews?
Do you just check company references?
If I participate in an EBSCO Research interview, will my name be released?
How can I contribute feedback to EBSCO Research?
How many interviews have you conducted?
As a business owner, how can I get my company listed as a Best Pick™?
How can I get a copy of EBSCO Research’s annual publications?
What are Best Pick Reports and Home Reports?
Best Pick Reports and Home Reports are published by EBSCO Research LLC, an independent research firm that conducts consumer research to evaluate and document the performance of local contractors, such as heating and air conditioning contractors, roofers, and painters. Through thousands of phone interviews with homeowners who have had direct experience with providers, we produce unbiased, third-party ratings that help consumers select quality contractors in dozens of categories.
Why should I trust EBSCO Research?
We track and rate thousands of businesses and showcase Best Pick companies in our annual reports, which are posted online and mailed to homes in many communities. Companies cannot buy a good rating; the only way contractors can obtain a good rating is to earn it by having many satisfied customers and good reviews.
How are the publications funded?
Once research is complete, contractors that excel in each category have the option of participating in the Best Pick program. Those who choose to participate receive the Best Pick designation and authorize EBSCO Research to include their names in its annual publication. Participation in the Best Pick program is completely voluntary and includes a fee to publicize the rating established by our independent research. Good companies that decide not to participate can promote their business through their own marketing efforts.
Are EBSCO Research ratings based on limited reviews?
We have more than 100 reviews on each of the Best Pick companies. To help our readers understand the statistical validity of the rating, we note the number of reviews upon which each rating is based.
Do you just check company references?
No. We never accept reference lists from companies. In certain circumstances, when our primary research reveals that a company has a high percentage of satisfied customers yet a limited number of reviews, we sometimes conduct secondary research, sampling from the business's entire database and randomly calling customers.
If I participate in an EBSCO Research interview, will my name be released?
Comments and opinions that are less than positive will not be publicly attributed to you, while positive comments and opinions may be publicly attributed to you by first initial and last name only.
How can I contribute feedback to EBSCO Research?
If you wish to share your experiences with us, please complete and submit a feedback form. If one of our researchers contacts you, we would appreciate any feedback you can share about your experiences.
How many interviews have you conducted?
In the past three years, we have conducted 60,208 phone interviews with homeowners who had firsthand experience with home service providers. Those interviews resulted in 187,827 company reviews. Our research process is ongoing. Each year, we conduct more than 8,500 interviews with homeowners.
As a business owner, how can I get my company listed as a Best Pick?
Consistently do good work. Each year, our researchers complete more than 8,500 new interviews, and many of the people we interview may be your customers. If our consumer satisfaction data warrants it, we will contact you.
How can I get a copy of EBSCO Research’s annual publications?
Our annual reports are available to anyone, free of charge. If you would like a copy, please see our “Contact Us” page.