Editorial Standards & Review Process
Every cost guide, problem page, comparison, and career guide on HireLocal goes through a defined review process before it ships, and is re-reviewed at least annually. This page documents how that works.
Who reviews our content
HireLocal Editorial is a small in-house team that pairs each trade vertical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, etc.) with a senior practitioner reviewer. Reviewers hold an active license or trade certification in the relevant discipline. We disclose any conflicts of interest and never accept payment for inclusion in editorial guides.
Where our numbers come from
Wage and employment statistics are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Eurostat, Statistics Poland (GUS), and Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Pricing data combines national references (HomeAdvisor, Angi, Checkatrade) with our own aggregated quote data when we have sufficient volume in a city. We always cite the original source and date for any statistic.
How often we update
Cost guides are refreshed at least annually, with the dateModified field updated when material changes ship. Problem and how-to pages are reviewed annually unless a regulation or product change forces an earlier update. License and permit guidance is reviewed when issuing authorities publish new rules.
Corrections policy
If you find an error — a number, a citation, a date, or a regulatory detail — we want to fix it. Contact [email protected] and we will investigate and correct within 5 business days, or sooner for safety-critical content.
What we will not do
We do not pay for placement in editorial guides. We do not let advertisers influence the contents of cost, problem, or comparison pages. We do not generate cost or problem content from AI without human expert review.
Editorial panel
Three senior reviewers sign off on all HireLocal editorial content, each within their domain.
Marcus Aldridge
Senior Editorial Reviewer — Plumbing, HVAC & Wet Trades
Master Plumber license; NATE-certified HVAC technician; 18 years field experience across residential and light commercial systems.
Read bioElena Volkova
Senior Editorial Reviewer — Electrical, Smart Home & Appliances
Master Electrician license; low-voltage / structured-cabling specialist; 15 years field experience across residential and light commercial installations.
Read bioTom Reilly
Senior Editorial Reviewer — Roofing, Carpentry & General Contracting
Licensed General Contractor; 22 years remodeling and renovation experience; background in finish carpentry, roofing, and exterior trades.
Read bio