Smart Hiring on Thumbtack

Review the pro’s profile

Profiles are designed to give you helpful information to hire the right pro. So take a look through:

1. Customer reviews. See what past customers say about a pro. Verified reviews are from customers who hired a pro on Thumbtack, while unverified reviews are from customers who found the pro somewhere else. You can also see how a pro responded to reviewers, which can help you understand how they interact with their customers.

2. Business information. The profile gives the pro a chance to tell you about their business —and explain why you should hire them. You’ll see things like pictures of their work, a description of their business, why they love what they do, a link to their website and how many times they’ve been hired on Thumbtack.

3. Credentials. We know a pro’s credentials are important to hiring with confidence. A pro’s profile may include:

   • A "Top Pro" badge, which means they’re highly rated across several reviews from Thumbtack customers. Learn more about what it takes to be a Top Pro here.
   • A license badge, which means we’ve used a public database to verify the license number they provided.
   • A background check badge, which means the account holder submitted a background check and met our criteria to receive the background check badge. For businesses with multiple workers, this does not guarantee the specific person you're working with has passed a background check, so be sure you're comfortable with the person completing your request.

Learn more about the pro

1. Ask questions. We make it easy to talk a pro without revealing any of your contact info. So ask as many questions as you need, and tell them exactly what you’re looking for. You might want to ask about:

   • pictures of past work
   • references from past customers
   • whether your project requires a permit
   • if the pro plans to subcontract any of the work

   You can also send a pro pictures of what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to schedule a phone call or an in-person meeting.

2. Research. It’s always worth seeing what other information you can find about a pro you’re considering. Think about resources like the Better Business Bureau or a web search to look for more information. You can also check out third-party resources like the Federal Trade Commission’s guide to hiring a contractor for additional tips.

Plan ahead to make sure the job is done right

1. Set expectations in writing. A written agreement is the best way to make sure everyone is on the same page. Include details like the who, what, where, and cost of your project.

2. Agree on payment. Especially for high-value projects, don’t pay with cash (or via wire transfer or cashier’s check), and limit your down payment—in fact, some state laws limit the amount a pro can ask for up front. Consider making payments during the project contingent on completion of defined amounts of work.

Think through insurance, permitting, and licensing

1. Verify insurance. Something unexpected may happen during your project, so check your insurance policies to make sure you’re covered. Your own insurance provider is always the best resource to learn if your policy covers any risks associated with your project. You should also verify a pro’s insurance. See this page for tips.

2. Get permits and check licensing. A pro’s license requirements (or whether permits are required for your project) depends on the laws of your city and state, and what kind of project you’re hiring for. Contact your state or local government about specific questions. We know this can be daunting, so we’ve pulled together some tips and resources to help you get started:

   • A business license is NOT the same thing as an occupational license. A business license generally just means the pro is registered to do business in a city or state. It doesn’t authorize the pro to do any specific kind of project. An occupational license is what authorizes a pro to do certain kinds of work—for instance, as a plumber or an electrician. Thumbtack’s policy allows only occupational licenses to qualify for a license badge.
   • Some pros may be licensed for your job under the license of an authorized business associate with whom they work. If a pro has provided the correct documentation to verify that they are properly operating under a valid license, we may list the associate's license as "verified" on the pro's profile.
   • There are several online resources that can help you verify a pro’s occupational license. For example, BRB Publications, Inc. maintains a database of some state occupational licensing board websites.
   • Sometimes there may also be federal licensing requirements. For example, interstate movers must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Here are links to state government websites where you can find information about licensing:

Alabama

• Alabama Department of Revenue List of Occupations Requiring Permits/Licenses
• Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
• Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board
• Alabama Public Services Commission: Motor Carrier Services Section

Alaska

• Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing—Professional License Search

Arizona

• Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Arkansas

• Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board
• Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing

California

• California Department of Consumer Affairs—Verify a License
• California Public Utilities Commission—Transportation Carriers Lookup

Colorado

• Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies—Verify a Professional or Business License
• Colorado Public Utilities Commission Transportation Permit Search

Connecticut

• Connecticut.gov E-license: Search for License, Permit, Certification, or Registration
• Connecticut Department of Public Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation

Delaware

• Delaware Department of State, Division of Professional Regulation

District of Columbia

• DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs—Professional and Occupational Licenses
• DC Department of Health—Search for a License

Florida

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Florida Department of Health—License Verification
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Georgia

• Georgia Secretary of State: Professional License Verification Portal
• Georgia Department of Public Safety—List of Licensed Movers

Hawaii

• Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs—Professional and Vocational Licensing Search
• Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Active Motor Carriers Report

Idaho

• Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses—Public Record Information
• Idaho Division of Building Safety—License Search

Illinois

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation—License Search
• Illinois Commerce Commission Household Goods Mover Search

Indiana

• State of Indiana Professional Licensing Agency—License Verification

Iowa

• Iowa.gov License, Permit and Registration Information
• Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Carriers Page

Kansas

• Kansas Corporation Commission—Search Motor Carriers

Kentucky

• Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction—License Search
• Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing—License Verification
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Motor Carriers Page

Louisana

• Louisana.gov Professional and Occupational License Lookup
• Louisiana Public Service Commission Transportation Search

Maine

• Maine.gov Regulatory Licensing & Permitting

Maryland

• Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation—Licensing Queries

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security—License Search
• Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities—Licensed Carrier Lookup

Michigan

• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs—Citizen Portal
• Michigan State Police—Motor Carriers with Active Intrastate Household Goods Authority

Minnesota

• Minnesota.gov eLicensing

Mississippi

• Mississippi State Board of Contractors

Missouri

• Missouri Division of Professional Licensing—Licensee Search
• Missouri Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Services

Montana

• Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division
• Montana Public Service Commission Intrastate Motor Carrier Authority List

Nebraska

• Nebraska Department of Labor—Search Registered Contractors and Subcontractors
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services License Information System Search
• Nebraska Public Service Commission Transportation Department

Nevada

• Nevada State Contractors Board License Search
• Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design Registrant Directory
• Nevada Transportation Authority Active Certificates List

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Online Licensing Verification

New Jersey

• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs—License Verification

New Mexico

• New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department—Look up a License
• New Mexico Public Regulation Commission—Household Goods Movers

New York

• New York State Office of the Professions —Verification Searches
• New York Department of Transportation—Consumer Moving Information

North Carolina

• North Carolina Department of Commerce—Occupations Requiring a License
• North Carolina DOJ - Movers

North Dakota

• North Dakota State University—Licenses Required of Individuals by the State of North Dakota
• Secretary of State Business Records Search (for Licensed Contractors)

Ohio

• Ohio.gov— Licenses and Permits
• Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Registered Household Goods Carriers

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Occupational Licensing Information
• Oklahoma Department of Commerce Business Licensing and Operating Requirements (Common Licensing Requirements by Industry)
• Oklahoma Corporation Commission—Lists of Authorized Carriers, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), and Intrastate Motor Carrier Applicants

Oregon

• Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services—Contactor/Individual License Holder Search
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board
• Oregon Department of Transportation—Household Goods Moving

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Department of State—Verify a Professional
• Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission—Limousines, Taxis & Movers

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Professional Regulation Unit—Check License / Change Address
• Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board—Registration/License Status Lookup
• Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission Motor Carriers Page

South Carolina

• South Carolina Division of Professional and Occupational Licensing
• South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff—Transportation

South Dakota

• South Dakota Occupational Licensing Agencies

Tennessee

• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance—License Search and Verification
• Tennessee Department of Health—License Verification

Texas

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation—License Data Search
• Texas Online Licensing System—Public Search
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles—Motor Carrier Lookup

Utah

• Utah Licensee Lookup and Verification System

Vermont

• Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation
• Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety

Virginia

• Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation—License Lookup
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles—List of Authorized Motor Carriers

Washington

• Washington State Department of Licensing
• Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission—Household Goods Carriers

West Virginia

• West Virginia Professional and Occupational Licensing Boards

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services—Credential/License Search

Wyoming

• Wyoming Professional Licensing Boards

Please note that, as a marketplace, Thumbtack does not control the actions of any pro or customer using our service. You can visit our help center to learn more about trust and safety on Thumbtack. For more information on how Thumbtack works, click here.