---
title: How We Pick the Four: FourBest Methodology | FourBest
url: https://getfourbest.com/methodology/
updated: 2026-10-29
---

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1. [Home](https://getfourbest.com/)
2. Methodology

Methodology · how FourBest works

# How We Pick the Four

**In one paragraph**

We start with every company we can find, drop the ones without a working phone or a solid review record, score the rest on the same published weights, then pick four that are each strongest at something different. Nobody pays to be in a four.

## Must-pass checks

Fail one and a company can’t be in a four, whatever it pays.

- A working phone number
- At least 10 public reviews
- An average rating of 4.0 or higher
- Actively offering the job in the city

## How “strongest” is scored

The same weights on every page.

- Rating 30%
- Review volume 20%
- Recent reviews 20%
- Years in business 15%
- Complete details 10%
- Checks confirmed 5%

Price isn’t scored: a budget company can be the best-value pick. Paid status never changes the score.

## Choosing four that differ

Four near-identical companies don’t help you choose. Each of the four gets a “best for” ribbon for the trait it shows best: most reviewed, longest established, best value, premium choice or a highly rated newcomer.

The **quick choice** is the one we’d call if you could only call one: the best all-round score.

## How often we update

Ratings & reviews

Every refresh

License & identity checks

Re-checked regularly

Full re-pick of the four

Every refresh

Corrections

Within 2 business days

## What every grid row means

The same rows appear on every comparison, so you can trust what you’re reading across cities.

Definitions for each comparison attribute

| Attribute | What it means and where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Rating | Average star rating from public review sites. |
| Reviews | Total public reviews. |
| Years operating | Years since the business was founded. |
| Services | What the business does, from its own details and, once claimed, confirmed by the owner. |
| Price | $ to $$$$ price level, where known. |
| Free estimate | Whether a first quote or visit is free. |
| Verified | How many record checks (state license, registration, insurance and more) we confirmed, with the date. Each profile lists the source of every check. |
| Best for | The trait the business shows best among the four. |

Bars in every grid compare the four businesses with each other, not with a fixed standard.

## FAQ: the method

### Why compare four side by side instead of ranking ten?

Four fit on one screen with the same rows: rating, reviews, years, price, records. Differences show in seconds. Past four, extra names add reading, not choice.

### What do the $ to $$$$ price levels mean?

$ is budget-friendly, $$$$ is premium, relative to other companies for the same job in the same city. Price isn’t scored, so a $ company can make the four. Compare written quotes before you decide.

### Which of the four suits a tight budget?

Check the Price row and the “Best value” ribbon first. Short on time? Call the quick choice. Budget first? Start with the lowest price level, then compare what each quote includes.

### Do you compare warranties and guarantees?

Only when a business gives us its terms; they are not a scored row. Ask each of the four for the warranty in writing: what it covers, for how long, and who honours it.

## Money and corrections

Businesses never pay to be in a four: [how we make money](https://getfourbest.com/how-we-make-money/). Wrong fact? [Send a correction](https://getfourbest.com/corrections/); we fix it within two business days.

## Want your business considered?

You don’t need to pay or claim anything to be considered. Claiming your free profile helps us get your facts right. It takes about five minutes.

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Compare four strong local choices in minutes. Side-by-side facts for homeowners, checked and dated.

## Compare

- [All comparisons](https://getfourbest.com/#comparisons)
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## Trust

- [How we pick](https://getfourbest.com/methodology/)
- [How we make money](https://getfourbest.com/how-we-make-money/)
- [Corrections](https://getfourbest.com/corrections/)
- [About FourBest](https://getfourbest.com/about/)

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Data last checked October 29, 2026. Sponsored spots are labelled and sit outside comparisons. FourBest may be paid for quote requests you choose to send.

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