Not everyone makes it in
Every business on Handvetted passes a four-point verification before a homeowner ever sees them. Here’s exactly what that means.
Licensed & verified
Confirmed through official state registries
We don’t take a business’s word for it. We confirm every license through the official state licensing registry — the same database a state inspector would use. The license must be active, current, and specific to the services the business claims to provide.
If a roofer applies but their license only covers general construction, that’s a flag. If a license is expired, suspended, or under investigation — automatic rejection.
What we verify
License number, issue date, expiration date, license type, covered services, disciplinary history
How often
At application and re-verified on a regular schedule. If a license lapses, the business is suspended immediately.
Background checked
Every owner and principal operator screened
You’re inviting these professionals into your home. We take that seriously. Every owner and principal operator of every business on Handvetted undergoes a comprehensive background screening.
We’re not just checking for criminal history. We look at business-related infractions, fraud records, and complaints filed with state consumer protection offices. This isn’t a checkbox — it’s a real investigation.
Who we check
Every individual listed as an owner, partner, officer, or principal operator of the business
What we check
Criminal records, fraud history, business complaints, consumer protection filings, civil judgments
4.5+ star rating
Verified across multiple review platforms
A license and a clean background are necessary. They’re not sufficient. We also require a minimum 4.5-star rating across verified review platforms.
But we don’t just look at the number. A business with fifty 5-star reviews that were all posted in the same week is suspicious. We look at volume (how many reviews), recency (how recent they are), distribution (are they consistent over time), and response quality (how the business handles negative feedback). Consistency matters more than perfection.
What counts
Google Business Profile, BBB, verified industry-specific platforms. Not anonymous forums or unverified sites.
Red flags we look for
Review spam, purchased reviews, sudden rating jumps, deleted negative reviews, no responses to complaints
Human approved
A real person makes the final call
After the first three checks pass, a member of our team personally reviews the full application. This isn’t automated. A human looks at the business’s website, their portfolio, their communication style, their warranty policies, and their overall presentation.
We ask ourselves one question: would we trust this business with our own home? If the answer isn’t a clear yes, the application is rejected — even if every automated check passed.
What we evaluate
Website quality, portfolio of work, warranty terms, communication responsiveness, overall professionalism
Timeline
Applications are reviewed within 5–7 business days. We’d rather be thorough than fast.
WHAT GETS A BUSINESS REJECTED
Submit an application with your business details. Takes about five minutes. We need to know who you are, where you operate, and what services you provide.
- Rating below 4.5 stars or insufficient review volume
- Matching algorithm blasts to whoever pays
- No website, no portfolio, or no visible online presence
- Consumer protection complaints or unresolved BBB issues
- Background check flags on any owner or operator
- Evidence of purchased or manipulated reviews
- Poor communication or unprofessional presentation during review
- No proof of general liability or workers' compensation insurance
Verification doesn't stop at approval
Getting in is the beginning. Staying in requires maintaining the standard.
License re-verification
Licenses are re-checked on a regular schedule. If a license lapses or is suspended, the business is removed from Handvetted immediately.
Rating monitoring
We monitor review platforms continuously. If a business's rating drops below our threshold, we flag it for review and may suspend them.
Complaint review
If a homeowner reports a negative experience, we investigate. Verified complaints can result in warnings, suspension, or permanent removal.
How our standards compare
Most platforms let anyone pay to appear. We don’t.
TYPICAL PLATFORMS
- Pay a fee to get listed — no verification required
- Self-reported licensing — no independent confirmation
- No background checks on owners or operators
- Ratings easily gamed or manipulated
- No ongoing monitoring after listing
- Automated approval — no human review
HANDVETTED
- Four-point verification before any homeowner sees you
- License confirmed through official state registries
- Background check on every owner and operator
- 4.5+ star rating verified for volume, recency, and authenticity
- Continuous monitoring — licenses, ratings, complaints
- Human reviewer makes the final approval decision
These are the businesses we match you with
Every professional on Handvetted has passed this standard. Tell us what you need and we’ll connect you with one.