The "Above Board" Standard
We are not a government agency. We are a private verification standard designed to protect homeowners from "Ghost Contractors."
Most directories are "Pay to Play." If a contractor has a credit card, they get a profile.
We operate differently.
Our Two Tiers of Trust
Tier 1: Automatic Screening
The Baseline. We use automated systems to verify that their license number is valid and active in state databases. If they don't pass, they don't get listed. Period.
Tier 2: Manual Verification
The Gold Standard. This badge entails everything in Tier 1 PLUS a manual, human-to-human verification process. We interview the owner, verify their local presence, and ensure they are "Above Board."
Our 4-Point Verification Check
1. State Licensure
We check the Secretary of State (SOS) databases to ensure the business is a Registered Legal Entity in good standing. We do not list "fly-by-night" operators using personal bank accounts.
2. Liability Insurance
We verify active General Liability (GL) policies. If a contractor destroys your home, you need to know their insurance—not your homeowners policy—will cover it.
3. The "Test of Time"
We analyze domain age and digital footprint. We prioritize companies that have been operating for 5+ years under the same name.
4. Reputation Integrity
We filter for a minimum 4.0-star rating. But more importantly, we assume ALL contractors have some negative reviews. We look for how they respond to conflict.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
AboveBoardPros.com is a private information service. While we exercise rigorous care in our verification process, insurance policies can lapse and licenses can expire between our checks. Always verify the "Certificate of Insurance" (COI) directly with the contractor before signing a contract.