How to Verify a Contractor's Credentials

Hiring an unqualified contractor is one of the costliest mistakes a homeowner can make. The good news: verifying credentials takes less than 15 minutes and can save you thousands.

Step 1: Check their licence

Every trade — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing — has specific licensing requirements that vary by state or province.

US: Most state contractor licensing boards have online lookup tools. Search "[your state] contractor licence lookup" to find yours.
Canada: Provincial trade bodies (e.g. the Electrical Safety Authority in Ontario) maintain public registries.

What to check: Is the licence current? Does it cover the type of work being proposed? Is it in the same name as the person or company quoting you?

Step 2: Verify their insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance before any work begins. It should show:

General liability: Protects your property if they accidentally cause damage
Workers' compensation: Covers their workers if injured on your property (without this, you could be liable)

Don't accept a verbal confirmation. A legitimate contractor will provide the certificate without hesitation. Call the insurer to verify it's active if you're uncertain.

Step 3: Check their reviews

Review platforms vary widely in quality. Look for platforms where reviews are:

Tied to verified, completed jobs
Not removable by the contractor
Recent (within the last 12 months)

FivsPro requires all reviews to link to a completed booking. This means every review you read reflects a real experience.

Step 4: Search for complaints

Check your state or provincial consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau for any formal complaints. A single complaint isn't always disqualifying, but a pattern is a serious warning sign.

Step 5: Ask for references

For jobs over $1,000, ask for two or three recent customer references and actually call them. Ask:

Did the work finish on time?
Did the final cost match the quote?
Did they clean up after themselves?
Would you hire them again?

Why FivsPro makes this easier

Verified providers on FivsPro have already been through our credential check process. You can see their verification status, certification badges, and insurance status directly on their profile — so the homework is largely done for you.