Home Services
Ratings & Advice
The latest ratings and advice for Twin Cities area home services.
Advice
- 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Manipulate You
- 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
- About Checkbook: Why We're Unique
- Aging In Place
- Buying Area Rugs
- Closet Organizers
- Complaining: How to Get Results
- Consumer News
- Consumer Quiz
- Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers
- Decluttering Strategies
- Defective Products: Strategies to Get a Refund or Replacement
- Dryer Vent Cleaning
- Elder Villages
- Extended Product Warranties: Should You Buy Them?
- Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
- Hazardous Household Waste Disposal
- Home Improvement Financing: Watch Out for Shady Deals
- Home Maintenance Plan
- Home Title Monitoring Services Mislead About a Rare Crime
- Home Warranties
- Homeowners Insurance
- Junk Removal Services
- Lead Exposure: Make Sure Your Contractor Follows the Law
- Light Remodeling: Redo Your Kitchen or Bath for Less
- Old Houses: Ideas for Saving on Renovations
- Organizers
- Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps
- Product Recall Information
- Saving Energy at Home
- Self-Storage Facilities
- Soundproofing Tips
- Wallpaper Help
- Water & Sewer Line Warranties
- Water-Saving Tips
Current Issue
-
Dentists
Open wide! How to find a great dentist.
-
HVAC Contractors
Need help maintaining the comforts of home?
-
‘Sale’ Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts
Our researchers tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months; most of their advertised markdowns were bogus.
-
Grocery Stores & Delivery Services
Use our latest ratings to find out where to spend your bread.
-
Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare
The industry is plagued by problems, including fake listings and stolen deposits; many victims get little help from Booking.com or Vrbo.
-
Don’t Hire Duct Cleaners
Ignore deceptive ads and claims; you likely don’t need their services.
-
Watch Out for Shady Home Improvement Financing Schemes
Plans offered by contractors are often horrible deals.
-
Tree Care Services
How to find a good tree care outfit—and how to know if your leafy friends need work in the first place.
-
Kennels
Where pets can stay while you’re away.
-
Understanding Urgent Care
These convenient clinics are thriving, but watch out for a big bill.
-
What Does It Really Take to ‘Shop Local’?
Our director of content tried to shop local for 30 days. It didn’t go as planned.
-
Find a Great Deck Builder
Planks for the memories!
We aren't loyal to businesses, we're loyal to you.
Easily find ratings, reviews, and advice on local service providers.
Checkbook is nonprofit, independent, and provides unbiased information.
We don't run ads or take referral fees from business that we rate.