Yellow pages|It still seems like the most direct route ? let my fingers do the walking (16.4%)
Internet|I don't need a phone book anymore and, even local services now have web sites and testimonials. (13.1%)
Friend's recommendation|Unless its an emergency need, I take time to ask discriminating friends.) (68.5%)
Newspaper, TV or radio ad|Ad campaigns seem to stick in my mind and I haven't been burned yet. (2.2%)
although i use recommendations it can also ruin a friendship if its not done correct.
I usually try to get recommendations from friends and co-workers. If it's an emergency then we use the yellow pages or internet. Luckily, my husband works in the plumbing industry and has lots of friends who are plumbers. That alone has saved us a ton of money.
My former landlord is a contractor in a neighboring state. I value his opinion because he hears both the praise and the horror stories through his job. Once I get some names from him, I check with my family and friends to see if they are familiar with them, or if they have other recommendations.
I rely on recomadations from friends