Angie's List Background Checks: What You Need To Know

When it comes to hiring professionals for home projects, ensuring their reliability and trustworthiness is paramount. Many homeowners turn to platforms like Angie's List (now Angi) to find qualified service providers. A common question that arises is: Does Angie's List do background checks on the professionals listed on their site? Understanding the extent of their screening process is crucial for making informed decisions and safeguarding your home and family. This article delves into the specifics of Angi's background check procedures, what they entail, and how you can further protect yourself when hiring contractors.

Understanding Angi's Screening Process

Angi, formerly known as Angie's List, has built a reputation as a go-to platform for connecting homeowners with reputable service providers. However, it's essential to understand exactly what kind of screening Angi performs on these professionals. Does Angie's List do background checks? The answer isn't a straightforward yes or no. Angi does perform some level of screening, but it's not as comprehensive as a full-fledged background check. They primarily focus on verifying licenses and checking for certain legal issues.

License Verification

One of the primary steps Angi takes is to verify that the professionals listed on their platform hold the necessary licenses for the services they offer. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the pros are qualified and authorized to perform the work they advertise. License verification typically involves checking with state and local licensing boards to confirm that the professional's license is valid and in good standing. This process helps to weed out individuals who may be operating without the proper credentials, providing homeowners with a greater sense of security. However, it's important to note that license verification alone doesn't guarantee the quality of the work or the professional's integrity. It simply confirms that they have met the minimum requirements to legally operate in their field.

Legal Checks

In addition to license verification, Angi also conducts some checks for legal issues. This typically involves searching public records for any history of serious legal problems, such as felony convictions or significant civil judgments. The goal is to identify professionals who may pose a risk to homeowners due to their past behavior. While this is a valuable step, it's important to understand that these checks are not exhaustive. They may not uncover all past legal issues, particularly those that have not resulted in a conviction or judgment. Additionally, these checks typically focus on the business itself and the primary owner, and may not include background checks on all employees or subcontractors. Therefore, while Angi's legal checks provide some level of protection, they should not be considered a substitute for your own due diligence.

The Limitations of Angi's Screening

While Angi's efforts to verify licenses and check for legal issues are commendable, it's crucial to recognize the limitations of their screening process. As mentioned earlier, Angi does not conduct comprehensive background checks on all professionals listed on their platform. This means that they may not uncover information about a professional's past, such as misdemeanor convictions, driving records, or other potential red flags that could be relevant to your decision-making process. Additionally, Angi's screening process primarily focuses on the business itself and the primary owner, and may not include background checks on all employees or subcontractors who may be working in your home. Therefore, it's essential to supplement Angi's screening with your own research and due diligence to ensure that you're hiring a trustworthy and reliable professional.

Why Background Checks Matter

Understanding does Angie's List do background checks is only one piece of the puzzle. Knowing why background checks are important is also essential. Background checks offer a deeper level of insight into a service provider's history, helping to mitigate potential risks and ensuring your peace of mind. Here's why they matter:

Ensuring Safety and Security

One of the primary reasons to conduct background checks is to ensure the safety and security of your home and family. When you hire a professional to work in your home, you're essentially inviting a stranger into your personal space. Background checks can help you identify individuals who may have a history of criminal behavior, such as theft, violence, or drug-related offenses. This information can be invaluable in assessing the potential risk that a professional may pose to your safety and security. By conducting thorough background checks, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of hiring someone who could put your home or family at risk.

Protecting Your Property

In addition to ensuring your safety, background checks can also help protect your property. When you hire a professional to work on your home, you're entrusting them with access to your belongings and valuables. Background checks can help you identify individuals who may have a history of property crimes, such as burglary, vandalism, or fraud. This information can be crucial in determining whether a professional is trustworthy and reliable enough to be given access to your home. By conducting background checks, you can minimize the risk of theft, damage, or other property-related issues.

Gaining Peace of Mind

Ultimately, background checks provide peace of mind. Knowing that you've taken steps to thoroughly vet a professional can alleviate stress and anxiety, allowing you to focus on the project at hand. Whether you're hiring a contractor for a major renovation or a handyman for a minor repair, the confidence that comes from knowing you've made an informed decision is priceless. Background checks can help you sleep better at night, knowing that you've done everything you can to protect your home, family, and property.

How to Conduct Your Own Due Diligence

Given the limitations of Angi's screening process, it's crucial to conduct your own due diligence when hiring a service provider. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that you're making an informed decision:

Read Reviews and Testimonials

One of the first things you should do is read reviews and testimonials from other customers. These reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality of the professional's work, their reliability, and their overall customer service. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews, and look for patterns or trends that may indicate potential issues. Be wary of reviews that seem too good to be true, as they may be fake or biased. Also, consider the source of the reviews. Reviews on independent websites or consumer advocacy groups are generally more reliable than those found on the professional's own website.

Check References

Another important step is to check references. Ask the professional for a list of previous customers who can vouch for their work. Contact these references and ask them about their experience with the professional. Ask about the quality of their work, their professionalism, their punctuality, and their overall reliability. Be sure to ask open-ended questions that encourage the reference to provide detailed and honest feedback. If a professional is hesitant to provide references or if the references are unresponsive, it may be a red flag.

Conduct Your Own Background Check

While Angi may not conduct comprehensive background checks, you can conduct your own. There are many online services that offer background checks for a fee. These services can provide you with information about a professional's criminal history, driving record, and other relevant information. Be sure to choose a reputable background check service that uses reliable sources of information. Keep in mind that background checks are not always foolproof, and they may not uncover all past issues. However, they can provide valuable insights that can help you make a more informed decision.

Ask for Proof of Insurance and Bonding

Before hiring a professional, always ask for proof of insurance and bonding. Insurance protects you from liability in case of accidents or injuries that may occur on your property. Bonding protects you from financial loss in case the professional fails to complete the work or causes damage to your property. Verify that the professional's insurance and bonding are current and adequate for the scope of the project. If a professional is not insured or bonded, it may be a sign that they are not a legitimate business.

Get a Written Contract

Finally, always get a written contract before hiring a professional. The contract should clearly outline the scope of the work, the payment terms, the timeline for completion, and any other relevant details. Read the contract carefully and make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions before signing it. A written contract protects both you and the professional by providing a clear and legally binding agreement. If a professional is unwilling to provide a written contract, it may be a red flag.

Alternatives to Angi

While Angi is a popular platform for finding service providers, it's not the only option. There are several other platforms and resources that you can use to find qualified and reliable professionals. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

Thumbtack

Thumbtack is another online platform that connects homeowners with service providers. Like Angi, Thumbtack allows you to search for professionals based on their location, services offered, and customer reviews. Thumbtack also offers a feature called "Thumbtack Guarantee," which provides some protection against fraud or unsatisfactory work. However, it's important to note that the Thumbtack Guarantee has limitations, and it's not a substitute for your own due diligence.

HomeAdvisor

HomeAdvisor is a similar platform to Angi and Thumbtack. It allows you to search for professionals based on their location, services offered, and customer reviews. HomeAdvisor also conducts some level of screening on the professionals listed on their platform, but it's important to understand the limitations of their screening process. Like Angi, HomeAdvisor does not conduct comprehensive background checks on all professionals.

Local Referrals

One of the best ways to find reliable service providers is through local referrals. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers for recommendations. Personal referrals are often more trustworthy than online reviews, as you're getting feedback from people you know and trust. Additionally, local professionals are often more invested in their community and more likely to provide high-quality service.

Local Trade Associations

Another great resource is local trade associations. These associations typically have a directory of members who are licensed, insured, and bonded. They may also have a code of ethics that members are required to follow. Contacting a local trade association can be a great way to find qualified and reputable professionals in your area.

Conclusion

So, does Angie's List do background checks? While Angi (formerly Angie's List) does perform some screening of professionals, it's not a substitute for your own due diligence. By understanding the limitations of Angi's screening process and taking steps to conduct your own research, you can ensure that you're hiring a trustworthy and reliable professional for your home projects. Remember to read reviews, check references, conduct your own background check, ask for proof of insurance and bonding, and get a written contract. By following these steps, you can protect your home, family, and property, and gain peace of mind knowing that you've made an informed decision. Guys, be diligent and stay safe!