How contractors are pre-screened.
Before any contractor reaches you through Homative, they pass a screening process built around four checks. Here's exactly what we verify — and what we keep verifying over time.
What we verify before a match
We screen on substance, not badges. Each check below has to clear before a contractor is matched to your project.
Active state licensing
We confirm that contractors hold the licenses their state and trade require for the work they perform. Licensing rules vary by state and project type, so we check against the requirements that apply where the contractor operates.
Valid liability insurance
We check that contractors carry current general liability insurance — and, where required, workers' compensation coverage — so that you're not exposed if something goes wrong on the job.
Verifiable review history
We look for a real, traceable track record of completed work and customer reviews. A contractor with no verifiable history doesn't reach you through Homative.
Genuine local service area
We confirm a contractor actually serves your zip code before matching you. Local pros understand permitting, climate demands, and material choices specific to your area.
Screening is ongoing, not one-time
A license that was valid last year may have lapsed. A contractor with a clean early record may start drawing complaints. That's why screening is something we maintain, not a box we tick once.
- We re-check licensing and insurance status on a recurring basis, not just at sign-up.
- We monitor homeowner feedback from completed matches and act on patterns of complaints.
- Contractors who let licensing or insurance lapse, or who draw repeated valid complaints, are removed from active matching.
Less risk, fewer dead ends
Pre-screening doesn't replace your own judgment — you should always review the written quote and ask questions before hiring. What it does is remove the unlicensed, uninsured, and untraceable contractors before they ever reach you, so the pros you compare are ones worth comparing.