Most people don't get burned by a website. They get burned by a contractor who never calls back, takes a deposit and disappears, or turns out to have no license. Problems with home repair and contractors ranked as the #2 consumer complaint in the U.S. in the Consumer Federation of America's latest yearly survey of state and local consumer agencies (CFA).
So we made rules. A business has to meet all of them before it shows up on our site, and keep meeting them to stay on it.
The 8 Great Local Pros standards
1. Licensed when the law says so
If the state requires a license for the work, it must be active. We look it up on the state's own website and put the number on the pro's page, so you can check it too.
2. Insured for work on your home
Pros who work on or inside your home, like roofers, plumbers, electricians, painters and cleaners, must carry liability insurance. We ask for proof. Some states, like Washington, won't even register a contractor without a bond and insurance (WA L&I).
3. A real, local business
A real name, a real phone number and a real person behind it. We match the business to state records or its own website, and it must actually serve the towns it lists.
4. Answers fast
We call or text the business before we list it. Pros agree to reply to customers within 1 business day, even if the answer is "we're booked."
5. Prices in writing
Pros agree to give a written quote before work starts, and to explain any change in price before doing extra work.
6. Fair deposits
No big cash-up-front demands. Pros follow their state's deposit rules. In California, for example, the down payment on most home improvement jobs can't be more than 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less (CSLB).
7. Shows up
Pros agree to show up when they say they will, or call ahead if plans change.
8. A clean record
No suspended or revoked license, and no pattern of unresolved complaints that we can find with the state or the Better Business Bureau.
How we check a business
- The owner sends us their info. Listing is free.
- We look up the license and business records on official state websites.
- We call or text the business phone to make sure someone answers.
- If the trade works on homes, we ask for proof of insurance.
- We publish the page with the license number and the date we checked it.
- We re-check at least once a year, and any time someone reports a problem.
If a pro breaks the rules
Tell us at info@greatlocalpros.com. We read every report and contact the business. If a pro stops answering, loses their license, or we see a pattern of problems, we take the listing down.
We can't settle money disputes or make a business give a refund. What we can do is stop sending people to a pro who doesn't treat them right.
What we are, and what we're not
Great Local Pros is a directory. Think of it as a phone book with standards. That means:
- We don't do the work.
- We don't hire, employ, train or manage the pros.
- We're not part of the deal or contract between you and a pro.
- We don't take or hold your payment for the job.
- We can't promise how a job will turn out.
Our checks lower your risk. They don't remove it. A license can lapse the day after we check it. Before you hire anyone, do these five things:
- Look up the license yourself (every pro page links to the state lookup)
- Ask for proof of insurance
- Get a written quote and contract
- Don't pay a big deposit, and never all in cash
- Keep photos, texts and receipts
The legal details are in our Terms of Use.
About listings marked "Not verified"
In a few towns, we added basic info like a name and phone number from public sources before we set these standards. Those listings are marked "Not verified". We have not checked them. If you own one of these businesses, you can claim it and get checked for free, or ask us to remove it.
For business owners: why we're strict
Being strict helps good pros. When people know every business here was checked, they call with more trust. You aren't lumped in with the contractor who took a deposit and vanished. And the check costs you nothing.