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HomeAdvisor's Screening Process

HomeAdvisor uses an extensive screening process to screen businesses and business owners/principals. We perform this screening when a business applies to join our network and, if the business is accepted, once again every two years following — or whenever concerns are brought to our attention. If you have concerns that a pro in our network doesn't meet these standards, please contact us so we can investigate. We're committed to maintaining a network of trusted home service businesses, and those who don't meet our criteria will be rejected or promptly removed from our network.

Update: March 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several government agencies and courts across the country are temporarily closing their offices. Please be advised that these actions could impact the background checks that are performed by our third-party vendor during this period, but the HomeAdvisor background check program will continue. As always, we encourage consumers to perform their own research, to the extent possible, before hiring any service professional.

Criminal Background Check

We use a third-party vendor to conduct criminal background checks on the owner/principal of each business*. This background check includes a search for relevant criminal convictions through a national criminal database and the sex offender database.

Licensing

We verify any applicable state-level licenses, and we require every business to attest that they carry the appropriate local licensing to practice their trade.

Identity Verification (Social Security Number)

HomeAdvisor verifies the social security number of the business owner/principal to confirm their identity. (This applies primarily to small businesses.)

State Business Filings

If a business states that it's registered as a corporation or limited liability company, we confirm that the company is in good standing in the state they're operating in.

*Corporate Accounts

Some service pros are employees, franchisees, dealers or independent contractors ("Corporate SP's") of larger national or "Corporate Accounts". When this is the case, you may be matched with the Corporate Account or with one of their Corporate service professionals. The above screening process is not applicable to Corporate Accounts, as HomeAdvisor does not screen Corporate Accounts or Corporate service professionals.
We require all users - pros and homeowners - alike to uphold our core values as outlined in our Code of Conduct.
Please see HomeAdvisor's Terms and Conditions for more detailed information on our pro requirements, screening processes, and disclaimers.
HomeAdvisor's third-party vendor uses a national criminal database ("NCD") to screen our service professionals. The comprehensiveness of the NCD varies by state. Please be aware that the reporting in the NCD is particularly limited in the following states: AL, CO, DE, GA, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, SD, UT, VA, VT, and WY.

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