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.

Ontario: Skilled Trades Ontario lists holders of Certificates of Qualification, the ESA lists licensed electrical contractors, and the TSSA certifies gas technicians. Many municipalities also license contractors.

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 completed jobs
Not removable by the contractor
Recent (within the last 12 months)

FivsPro only lets customers with a completed booking leave a review.

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?

Doing your homework on FivsPro

FivsPro checks one thing: a pro's identity, through a government-ID and selfie match (the “ID verified” badge). Licences, insurance and certifications a pro uploads are shown as “Documents provided by pro” — FivsPro doesn't check them, so use the steps above to confirm them yourself before you hire.