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I've been burned before, not in construction but with a property manager back in California who just stopped responding, so I'm extra cautious now. We're in Dubai and need to redo the kitchen and one bathroom in our Palo Alto place, and the biggest thing keeping me up at night is not being able to look someone in the eye and get a gut feeling. Everyone says check reviews and references, but half those reviews feel fake and the references are obviously handpicked. I came across kitchen bath palo alto while trying to figure out what reliable kitchen and bath remodeling in Palo Alto even looks like when you're not local, and it made me realize I don't know what questions to ask to separate the good ones from the ones who just talk a good game. Do you ask for proof of insurance and licenses upfront? Do you video call the project manager before signing anything? Do you ask for a client who had a bad experience, not just the happy ones? I'd really appreciate any concrete tips from people who have hired remotely and didn't end up regretting it.