How We Vet Contractors
Every contractor listed on ProList Local goes through an independent review before their profile is indexed and visible to homeowners. Here's exactly what we check — and why it protects you.
Our Listing Standard
ProList Local is a curated directory, not an open marketplace. Every listing is reviewed by our team before it goes live. We don't publish thin or unverified profiles because Google penalizes low-quality directory pages — and more importantly, homeowners deserve accurate information when they're spending real money on a project.
Our standard applies equally to every listing — paid featured placements do not bypass vetting. A featured listing simply means the business has subscribed to appear at the top of relevant directory pages. It does not mean we endorse their work.
What We Check Before Approving a Listing
Complete Contact Information
Every listing must have a valid phone number, a confirmed business name, and a clearly defined service area. Listings with placeholder data, P.O. boxes only, or no phone number are held in pending until corrected.
Active Service Area
We confirm that each contractor's stated service area matches the cities and zip codes shown on their listing. A roofing contractor in Austin, TX should not appear on a Phoenix, AZ directory page. Service-area accuracy prevents homeowners from calling contractors who won't show up.
License Number or Certification (Where Applicable)
For state-licensed trades — including roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, solar installation, and general contracting — we require the business to provide a license number or state certification on their profile. Unlicensed listings for regulated trades are rejected. We note when a trade does not require licensing in a given state so homeowners understand what to ask about.
Quality Score Threshold
Each listing receives an internal quality score based on profile completeness, photo presence, description quality, and contact detail accuracy. Only listings scoring 60 or above are indexed on public directory pages. Lower-scored listings are visible to the business owner in their portal and flagged for improvement.
Duplicate Detection
Our system scans for duplicate submissions — same phone number, same business name, or overlapping addresses — to prevent a single contractor from gaming the directory with multiple profiles. Duplicate listings are merged or rejected.
Ongoing Monitoring
Approved listings are subject to continued review. If a homeowner reports inaccurate information through our contact form, the listing is flagged and reviewed within 48 hours. Businesses that don't respond to a correction request within 14 days are de-indexed until the issue is resolved.
What We Don't Do — And Why
We don't send inspectors or verify work quality in person
ProList Local is a directory platform, not a warranty service. We can verify that a contractor's profile is complete and their license number is valid. We cannot verify the quality of their actual work. That's why we encourage homeowners to request at least three quotes, check reviews independently, and ask for references before signing a contract.
We don't guarantee any contractor's availability or pricing
Pricing and availability change constantly. The cost ranges shown on our directory pages are regional estimates based on industry data — not quotes from specific contractors. Always confirm pricing directly with the contractor before committing to any work.
We don't hide low-quality listings behind paywall checks
Our vetting process is the same for free and paid listings. A featured listing simply means the business paid to appear at the top of search results — it does not mean they passed a higher quality bar. We are transparent about this distinction because homeowners deserve to know how our directory works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ProList Local check contractor licenses?
We verify that each listing includes accurate contact information and an active service area. For state-licensed trades (roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, solar), we check that the business provides a valid license number or certification on their profile. Listings missing required details are held in pending status until completed.
What happens to contractors that receive complaints?
Any listing flagged through our contact form or internal review is immediately moved back to pending status while we investigate. If a pattern of complaints is confirmed, the listing is suspended and removed from directory pages until resolved.
How often does ProList Local re-review contractor listings?
All listings are subject to ongoing quality monitoring. Listings with incomplete information, outdated contact details, or inactive service areas are flagged for review. Businesses are notified and given 14 days to update before the listing is de-indexed.
Are reviews on ProList Local verified?
ProList Local does not fabricate or aggregate reviews from other platforms without disclosure. Contractor star ratings displayed on listings are sourced from verified third-party review platforms where indicated, or from homeowners who submitted quotes through our platform.
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