Six Checks. No Exceptions. No Shortcuts.
Every contractor on Dwell Cloud passes a mandatory six-point verification before they can submit a single bid. Government-issued ID, active business insurance, a verified bank account, a Google Business profile, a Facebook business page, and a working business website. It isn't a paid upgrade or a badge you earn over time. It's the door. If a contractor can't prove they're a real, insured, identifiable business, they don't get in — so every bid you receive comes from someone who did.
Because "Trust Me" Isn't a Business Model.
The hardest part of hiring a contractor has always been the first question: can I trust this person with my home and my money? Most platforms don't really answer it. They hand you a list of names, maybe a star rating, and leave the vetting to you — a few Google searches and a gut feeling.
That's how unlicensed, uninsured operators slip through. They underbid the professionals, take a deposit, and leave homeowners with half-finished work and no recourse. It gives the whole trade a bad name, and it makes honest contractors compete against people who cut every corner.
We decided the platform should do the vetting, up front, for everyone — so trust isn't something you have to figure out on your own.
What Every Contractor Must Pass.
- 1
Government-Issued Photo ID
Every contractor proves they are who they say they are — full legal name, face, and identity confirmed. No anonymous operators, no aliases.
- 2
Active Business Insurance
General liability coverage, confirmed current, with the expiry date tracked. If a contractor's insurance lapses, their bidding is paused until it's renewed — automatically.
- 3
Verified Bank Account
Connected through Stripe for secure payouts. It confirms the contractor runs a real, bankable business — and it's how milestone payments reach them.
- 4
Google Business Profile
An active, verified Google Business presence. Public reviews on Google are one of the strongest trust signals there is, and we confirm the profile is real.
- 5
Facebook Business Page
An established business page with history — not a personal profile spun up last week. It's another public record of a contractor operating in the open.
- 6
Business Website
A professional website that resolves and shows their work. Contractors who invest in their online presence tend to invest in their reputation too.
Above and Beyond.
The six checks are the baseline every contractor clears. Beyond them, many carry additional credentials — and when they do, those show up as extra trust badges on their profile for you to see.
- WorkSafe / workers' compensation clearance
- Trade-specific licenses (electrical, gas, plumbing)
- Professional certifications and manufacturer training
- Bonding and additional coverage
If a contractor has them, you see them. If they don't, you see that too. Nothing is hidden behind a paywall or a premium tier — the full picture is on every profile.
Verification Doesn't Expire. Insurance Does.
A contractor passes verification once — there are no annual re-verification fees or renewal hoops. Identity, bank account, and online presence don't need re-checking every year.
Insurance is the exception, because coverage lapses. The platform tracks each contractor's policy expiry date and warns them 30 days before it runs out. If it lapses anyway, their ability to bid is paused until they upload a current certificate. That means every active bid you receive comes from a contractor who is insured right now — not one who was insured whenever they signed up.
An Honest Note About What Verification Covers.
We want to be straight with you about what our checks do and don't guarantee. Verification confirms that a contractor is a real, identifiable, insured business with a genuine online presence. It is a strong filter, and it keeps out the operators who cause the most harm.
It is not a promise that every job will be flawless. Verification can't predict workmanship on a specific project, and it isn't a substitute for reading a contractor's reviews, comparing their bids, and asking questions before you hire.
That's why vetting is only one layer of protection. The other layers — transparent competitive bidding, visible ratings and portfolios, milestone escrow, and a real dispute process — work together. Verification gets trustworthy contractors in the door. Everything else helps you choose well and keeps your money safe while the work gets done.
See Verified Contractors in Your Area.
Post your project free and get bids only from contractors who've cleared all six checks.