I’ve recently had conversations with friends about finding the right local resource for everyday needs — plumbers, car mechanics, restaurants, house contractors.

By far, everyone trusts recommendations on Yelp for stuff like restaurants. It is one of the primary factors in people deciding where to eat. A few friends also swear by Yelp for car mechanics, doctors and plumbers.

But it gets interesting when you have to make a decision for overhauling your kitchen and paying someone $50,000 and redo your world. For one, interestingly, people feel uncomfortable in recommending any contractor even if they’ve used one themselves. And it is also extremely hard to come to trust reviews on Yelp for an investment this size. Most people go with the recommendation from their real estate agents, and with someone they get a good vibe with (or someone who gives them the best quote).

My own experience has been that I use Yelp to cross out places or services I don’t want to use. I look for the negative recommendations and even sometimes read the comments. But all said and done, if a doctor, mechanic or restaurant is recommended I’d try it because the risk is relatively low. On the other hand, for a contractor who I’d pay thousands of hard earned dollars, Yelp reviews will only go so far.

What do you think? Does Yelp help you in deciding the local services you use?