What our pro checks mean, and what they do not
Anyone can have a free profile. When a pro gives us a license number we check it against public records as best we can. A check is a snapshot, not a guarantee.
What we check
When a pro joins
- Licensed trades: the license or registration number the pro gives us, against the state's public records, when they join. In Washington this is automatic against L&I and repeats on a schedule.
- Licensed professions (legal, health, real estate and similar): our team checks the license with the state board.
- Insurance: the carrier and expiry date the pro gives us, and the certificate they upload.
- Services that need no license: our team reviews the business before it is listed.
- Child care, senior care, pet care, house cleaning and other in-home services: the business owner must pass a criminal background check. Other pros can choose to get one. The profile says "Owner background check passed" and the date.
What we do not check
Our limits
- We do not guarantee that any pro is licensed, registered, bonded or insured on the day you hire them. Licenses lapse and policies get cancelled between our checks.
- We rely on public records and on what pros tell us. Records can be wrong or out of date, and a pro can give us false information.
- A background check covers only the business owner, not the employees or subcontractors a pro sends to your home.
- We do not inspect work, set prices or guarantee results.
Why we say this plainly
Every marketplace that lists contractors faces the same limit: a check is a snapshot of a record on one day. We would rather tell you that than let a badge do the talking. Pros are independent businesses, and the agreement for the work is between you and the pro.
Questions
What does a "License checked" date on a profile mean?
That the record matched the state's public data on that date. It is not a promise about any later date.
What if a pro turns out not to be licensed?
Tell us. We pause the listing while we recheck, and remove pros who gave us false information. Also report it to the state licensing agency.
Does it cost anything to request a pro?
No. Requests are free for homeowners.
Who sees my request?
Only the pros you choose, plus our review team, see your request. Pros get your contact details only for this job.