Why do I need a contractor contact list?

Good contractors are hard to find. When you find one who does good work and charges fair prices, you want to call them again. A contractor contact list ensures you don't lose their information.

What should I include in a contractor contact list?

Name, phone number, email, what they specialize in, when you used them, cost/pricing notes, and quality rating. Include notes like 'great communication' or 'slow but thorough' so you remember them specifically.

How do I organize my contractor list?

Organize by trade (plumber, electrician, painter, roofer, HVAC) or by location. Keep notes about your experience with each contractor so you remember if you'd hire them again.

Should I keep contractor business cards?

Business cards get lost. Better to photograph them or type the info into an organized system. Digital storage means you have the info forever and can search it quickly.

Contractor Contact List: How to Build One and Never Lose a Good Contractor Again

You found a great plumber. Three years later you need one and can't remember their name. How to organize your contractor contacts so you never lose a good one again.

The problem with contractor contacts

You find a great electrician. They do excellent work, show up on time, and charge a fair price. You pay them, they leave, and you move on.

Two years later, you need that service again. You call your spouse: "Remember that guy who fixed the deck?" No. You search old emails for the contractor's name. You don't remember their name. You ask neighbors who they use. You start from scratch.

You've just lost access to someone you already vetted and trusted. And you probably end up hiring someone worse and overpaying.

The solution: maintain a contractor contact list. It takes 2 minutes to add someone. It saves you hours of searching later.

What to include in your contractor contact list

Don't just save a name and number. You want to remember them specifically:

Name: Full name and company name
Phone: Their primary number
Email: If they have one
Trade: What they do (plumber, electrician, painter, etc.)
Date last used: When you hired them
Job description: What did they do for you?
Cost/pricing: What they charged (helpful for estimating future work)
Your notes: "Great communication, finished early," or "slow but meticulous," or "overpriced but reliable"
Would hire again?: Yes/No (sometimes you find someone who does okay work but you don't want to use again)

Contractor contact list template

Name	Trade	Phone	Email	Used When	Notes
Dale — AquaClear	Septic pumping	555-0147	dale@aquaclear.com	Sept 2024	Professional, fair price, early riser
Mike Rodriguez	Plumber	555-0892	—	March 2023	Fixed burst pipe. Reliable. On-time.
ColorPro NH	Painting	555-0334	info@colorpronh.com	July 2024	Painted Emma's room. Perfect trim work. Worth the cost.
Jim's Electric	Electrician	555-0556	—	Oct 2023	Added outlet. Quick. Friendly.

How to build and maintain your contractor list

After each contractor visit: Immediately add them to your list. Phone number, service they provided, date, your notes. Do it that day or you'll forget.
Photograph their business card: If they have one, take a photo and store it with their contact info
Store it digitally: Don't keep it in a physical notebook or file folder. It will get lost. Use an app, a spreadsheet, or a note system you check regularly
Share it with your household: If you live with someone else, they should have access. When you're traveling and the furnace breaks, they need the HVAC person's number
Update ratings and notes: After they finish, note your experience. A year later when you're deciding whether to hire them again, you'll remember exactly why you used them

keep your contractor list where you'll actually find it

[ kept ] has a "services" category built for this. Add contractors as you use them, and they're searchable whenever you need them. Plus you can share the list with your household.

organize your contractors

Types of contractors to track

You probably won't use all of these, but here's a comprehensive list of contractors to consider tracking:

Plumber: Leaks, drains, fixtures, inspections
Electrician: Outlets, wiring, panels, inspections
HVAC: Heating, cooling, maintenance, repairs
Roofer: Inspections, repairs, replacements
Painter: Interior, exterior, trim work
General contractor: Renovations, repairs, coordination
Septic / Sewer: Pumping, repairs, inspections
Appliance repair: Washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher
Carpet / flooring: Installation, repairs, cleaning
Landscaping / lawn care: Mowing, pruning, maintenance
Home inspector: Inspections (for resale or issues)
Pest control: Termite, mosquito, general pests

Red flags: contractors not to rehire

Your notes should also flag contractors you don't want to use again:

No-shows or chronic lateness without notice
Poor communication (doesn't respond to calls/texts)
Quality issues or sloppy work
Aggressive upselling or hidden fees
Unprofessional behavior
Left your property messy or damaged

If you had a bad experience, note it. This saves you from hiring the same mediocre contractor again because you forgot why you stopped using them.

build your list tonight

Think of the contractors you've hired in the last 2-3 years. Add them to [ kept ] tonight. Include phone number, email, what they do, and your notes. Takes 5 minutes. Saves you hours when you need someone.

start your contractor list

FAQ

Should I store passwords or payment info with contractor info?

No. Never store passwords or sensitive payment information in your contractor list. Just name, phone, email, trade, and notes about your experience.

What if a contractor goes out of business?

Keep their information in your list anyway. You might remember someone recommended by them. Plus you'll know not to hire them again and to mark "out of business" in your notes.

How often should I update my contractor list?

Add new contractors immediately after using them. Update notes and phone numbers as needed. Every 6 months, review the list and mark anyone you definitely wouldn't hire again.

Can I share my contractor list with neighbors?

Yes. Sharing good contractors is how neighborhoods improve. Just make sure the contractor is okay with being referred — most are happy about it.