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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, 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 to 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.

Criminal Background Check

Who does HomeAdvisor background check?

The owner or principal of each business in HomeAdvisor's network (with the exception of Corporate Accounts) must pass a background check. Unfortunately, we cannot perform a background check on every employee of a business—the background checks are performed only on the owner or principal. As always, we recommend that you conduct your own research on the businesses you hire, including making inquiries directly with the businesses regarding their employee background check policies.

What does the background check cover?

We use a third-party vendor to conduct a criminal records search in the state in which the business owner or principal works. Our third-party vendor uses a national criminal database ("NCD") to screen service professionals. Businesses will not be admitted to the network if their owners or principals have the following felonies in their available criminal records*:

  • Arson
  • Assault/domestic violence/battery
  • Child abuse
  • Intimidation/terrorist threats
  • Kidnapping/abduction
  • Lewd and lascivious behavior
  • Manslaughter/murder/homicide/vehicular homicide
  • Rape/incest
  • Robbery/carjacking
  • Sex offenses
  • Other felonies not listed above that occurred in the past seven years
  • Contracting without a license in the past seven years

Our background check does not exclude service professionals unless the crime at issue is a felony.

*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, IL, KS, LA, ME, MA, MI, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, SD, UT, VA, VT, and WY. After initial admission to the HomeAdvisor network, businesses are re-screened biennially.

How is COVID-19 impacting the HomeAdvisor background check program?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several government agencies and courts across the country have temporarily closed their offices. While HomeAdvisor will continue its background check program to the extent possible, these closures could prevent some background checks from being performed. Please be advised that, during this period, if we could not perform a background check, HomeAdvisor will allow the business into the network and match the business to consumers. As affected government agencies and courts begin to re-open, we will resume our program in those jurisdictions. As always, we encourage consumers to perform their own research, to the extent possible, before hiring any business.

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. Please note that HomeAdvisor does not confirm local licensing. Do your own research using online ratings, reviews and through phone interviews before hiring a company.

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 in which they operate.

Ratings

Businesses receive ratings from homeowners through HomeAdvisor. Once a business is rated, we require it to maintain an overall average of two stars or greater.

Corporate Accounts

Some businesses are employees, franchisees, dealers or independent contractors ("Corporate SP's") of larger national or "Corporate Accounts". When this is the case, we may match you with the Corporate Account or with one of their Corporate businesses. The above screening process does not apply to Corporate Accounts, as HomeAdvisor does not screen Corporate Accounts or Corporate businesses.
We require all users - pros and homeowners - 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.

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