Five steps: (1) Pull the contractor’s license at nvcontractorsboard.com — verify status, scope, and any disciplinary actions; (2) Check the BBB profile at bbb.org — note both rating AND accreditation status; (3) Read recent Google reviews on the firm’s primary Business Profile; (4) Confirm any claimed media feature directly with the publication (HGTV, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart); (5) Ask for references from completed projects similar in scope and price range to yours, and call them.