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How we rank Pittsburgh handyman companies
Every company on this site is scored out of 100 with the same formula, using public data only. Here is exactly how it works, including what we can't see.
The scoring model
| Factor | Weight | How it's calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Review rating & volume | 30% | 60% rating level (review-weighted average across independent platforms; 3.0★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full marks) + 40% volume (log scale, full marks at 500+ reviews/recommendations). If a company has no star ratings, the rating half is neutral (50%). |
| Review sentiment & consistency | 20% | How closely platforms agree (platforms with 3+ reviews; a 2-star spread scores 0). Single-platform companies start at 70% (10+ reviews) or 50%. Each con or watch-out based on a recurring negative review theme subtracts 10 points. |
| Service range | 15% | Number of service categories offered (from the company's site and listings). Full marks at 10+. |
| Licensing & insurance transparency | 15% | PA HIC number in public records (50%), an insurance statement on the company's site (30%), BBB accreditation (20%) or a BBB letter grade without accreditation (10%). |
| Responsiveness & availability | 10% | Emergency service (30%), same-day service (25%), recurring "responsive" theme in reviews (25%), published hours (10%), weekend hours (10%). |
| Years in business | 10% | Years since the earliest documented year (founding, registration or BBB accreditation). Full marks at 15+ years. |
Where the data comes from
- Review platforms: Yelp, Angi, HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack, Nextdoor, plus Google when we can verify it. We record the rating, count, URL and the date we checked.
- Better Business Bureau: letter grade and accreditation status.
- Public contractor records: PA Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration numbers. You can check any number in the Attorney General's HIC search.
- The company's own website: services, service area, insurance statements, warranties and hours.
What we exclude: reviews a company collects and shows on its own website are displayed for context but never scored. We don't accept free work, gifts or payment for ranking.
How we write pros, cons and watch-outs
- Every point comes from a recurring theme in public reviews or from the company's own site, and links to its source with the date checked.
- We paraphrase. We never copy review text, invent reviews or present allegations as fact.
- If we can't verify something (a license number, emergency service, pricing), we show "Not found in public sources" rather than guessing.
Editor's Pick and Featured listings
Editor's Pick: we personally know the owner of this business. That company appears in a separate Editor's Pick slot above the scored list and is also scored like everyone else; its scored rank is shown openly. Featured listings are paid, clearly labeled, and use rel="sponsored" links. They never change the scored order. Full disclosure.
Current scores
- Chris Jackson's Contracting: 77.2/100
- SteelHandy: 67.6/100
- Ace Handyman Services South Pittsburgh: 66.1/100
- Loft Home Services (Loft Drywall & Plaster): 62.9/100
- Mr. Handyman of Northern Pittsburgh, South Hills & Moon: 61.4/100
- East End Handyman Company: 61.0/100
- Ace Handyman Services Pittsburgh North: 53.0/100
- The Nordic Handyman: 51.7/100
- Griffins Handyman: 49.0/100
- Pinchuk Handyman & Maintenance: 44.5/100
Limitations
Ratings change constantly, review platforms filter reviews differently, and small businesses with few online reviews can be excellent. Use the score as a starting point, and always get a written estimate, ask for the HIC number and proof of insurance, and confirm that your area is covered. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Methodology FAQ
Can a business pay to rank higher?
No. Featured (paid) listings get a labeled badge and a sponsored link attribute, but the scored order is calculated the same way for everyone and never changes because of payment.
Why is the Editor's Pick not #1?
The Editor's Pick is an editorial slot shown above the list, with a disclosure that we personally know the owner. It is scored with the same formula as everyone else, and its scored rank is shown openly.
How often is the ranking updated?
We re-check ratings, review counts and listings at least quarterly and whenever a business sends a verified correction. The current data was checked on 2026-10-10.