“Who is the best general contractor in Great Falls, Montana?”

There's no single "best" general contractor in Great Falls. It depends on what you're building, your budget, and how the contractor works. Here are some names that show up with strong reviews on the main review sites:

• Walsh Contracting LLC (Thumbtack): rated 5.0 for general contracting and kitchen, bath and other remodels. It has only one review so far, though.
• Goodsawyers LLC (HomeAdvisor and Angi): rated 5.0 from 4 verified reviews. It does major home repairs and gives free estimates.
• Western Trim and Finish, LLC (HomeAdvisor): rated 4.9 from 10 verified reviews. It passed a background check, its state licenses were verified, and reviewers call the owner dependable and his work high quality.

All of these ratings come from a small number of reviews, so check them before you hire:

1. Registration: Montana requires construction contractors to register with the Department of Labor & Industry, and you can look them up online.
2. Insurance: Ask for proof of liability and workers' comp coverage.
3. References: Ask for recent local references, and look at completed jobs if you can.
4. Bids: Get at least 3 written bids with a clear scope, timeline and payment schedule. Be wary of anyone who wants a large deposit up front.
5. Local reputation: Check Google reviews, the BBB, and local groups like Great Falls community pages on Facebook. Word of mouth often tells you more than national sites.

If you tell me what kind of project you have (new build, remodel, repair or commercial), I can help you narrow the list.