How we screen contractors
Matching only works if the contractors on the other end are worth matching with. Before an independent contractor can receive requests through HVACandRoof, they go through the checks below — and staying in the network depends on staying current and treating homeowners well.
A note on words: we say screened, not “certified”, “approved” or “best”. Screening means the specific checks listed here — it is not a guarantee of workmanship, which belongs to the independent contractor you hire, backed by their own contract and warranty.
What screening includes
Active licenses where required
Trade licensing varies by state and municipality. Where a license is required for the work a contractor wants to be matched for, we verify it's active before they receive requests.
Liability insurance
We require proof of general liability insurance appropriate to the trade, so a jobsite accident doesn't become the homeowner's problem.
Workers' compensation where applicable
Where a contractor has employees and state law requires workers' compensation coverage, we ask for proof of it as part of onboarding.
Business registration
Contractors must be real, registered businesses — not unregistered side operations. We confirm the business entity and how long it has operated.
Genuine service area
We match requests only inside the area a contractor actually covers. No virtual offices, no fake locations, no pretending a two-hour drive is 'local'.
Specialty and experience
A great furnace tech isn't automatically a great ductless installer. We record each contractor's actual specialties so requests are matched to relevant experience.
Complaint history and responsiveness
We review available complaint history at onboarding, and we track how contractors respond to matched requests over time. Contractors who go quiet or generate complaints stop receiving matches.
Periodic reverification
Licenses lapse and insurance expires. Credentials are rechecked periodically — staying in the network requires staying current, not just passing once.
What screening does not mean
Screening reduces risk; it doesn't eliminate it, and it doesn't replace your own judgment. Always review the contractor's written estimate and contract, confirm the license yourself if you want to (state lookup sites make this easy), and never pay in full before work is done. If a contractor we matched falls short, tell us — response performance and complaints directly affect whether they keep receiving matches.
Curious about the rest of the process? Read how matching works — including how we're paid.
Ready to compare screened local pros?
Describe your project once. We match it with a small number of screened, independent contractors — you compare their written estimates and decide. Free for homeowners, no obligation.
HVACandRoof is a contractor-matching marketplace. The contractors who quote and perform your work are independent businesses, and we may earn a fee when a request is matched or a job is completed.