Tools · Check before you hire

The registers that cover each trade here

Registers are organised by body; homeowners think by trade. This maps the 1,145,441 public register entries we have found in this market onto the trades they cover, so you can see exactly which registers to check for the contractor you are about to hire, as of 2026-07-16.

Builder13 registers, 314,941 public entriesElectrician20 registers, 184,018 public entriesContractor17 registers, 129,474 public entriesHVAC11 registers, 110,046 public entriesPlumber21 registers, 61,115 public entriesHome Improvement Contractor3 registers, 59,349 public entriesLead Safe Renovation3 registers, 51,259 public entriesEngineer2 registers, 45,705 public entriesGeneral Engineering Contractor5 registers, 21,470 public entriesPainter4 registers, 17,684 public entriesLandscaper6 registers, 15,442 public entriesRoofer24 registers, 14,104 public entriesArchitect3 registers, 13,558 public entriesGeneral Contractor3 registers, 12,169 public entriesAlarm Security1 register, 8,376 public entriesFlooring3 registers, 7,590 public entriesCode Inspector1 register, 5,573 public entriesTiling2 registers, 5,375 public entriesCarpenter3 registers, 4,937 public entriesPool Contractor1 register, 4,578 public entriesLow Voltage3 registers, 4,547 public entriesResidential General Remodel Contractor12 registers, 4,378 public entriesHome Improvement2 registers, 4,325 public entriesUtility Excavation2 registers, 3,917 public entriesSpecialty Contractor1 register, 3,777 public entriesCommercial Improvement1 register, 3,692 public entriesAppliance Installer1 register, 2,828 public entriesRemodeler2 registers, 2,747 public entriesLp Gas1 register, 2,639 public entriesHome Inspector5 registers, 2,248 public entriesBackflow Prevention1 register, 2,018 public entriesHeavy Construction1 register, 1,968 public entriesPost Tensioning1 register, 1,730 public entriesGas Fitting1 register, 1,685 public entriesWell Drilling1 register, 1,603 public entriesSpecial Inspection1 register, 1,527 public entriesSurveyor1 register, 1,481 public entriesFire Protection2 registers, 986 public entriesManufactured Housing1 register, 831 public entriesSheet Metal1 register, 774 public entriesConcrete Contractor1 register, 760 public entriesSteel Reinforcing1 register, 722 public entriesResidential Contractor1 register, 721 public entriesLocksmith2 registers, 689 public entriesRigging1 register, 658 public entriesDemolition1 register, 621 public entriesAccessibility Specialist1 register, 570 public entriesSecurity Systems1 register, 531 public entriesConcrete Testing1 register, 518 public entriesFire Suppression1 register, 467 public entriesSolar Contractor1 register, 435 public entriesElevator1 register, 420 public entriesHoist Operator1 register, 413 public entriesModular Buildings1 register, 375 public entriesHome Services1 register, 308 public entriesManufactured Home1 register, 212 public entriesMoving Company1 register, 142 public entriesDeveloper1 register, 141 public entriesHeating1 register, 103 public entriesPainter Decorator11 registers, 93 public entriesHvac Mechanical12 registers, 78 public entries

Then check the business itself

A register tells you someone may do the work; it does not tell you how they work. Check the business by name, see where their rating really sits, or browse every register we track here.

Common questions

How do I check a contractor before hiring?

Start with the official registers that cover their trade: pick the trade above and you will see every register we include for it here, with the public entries we have found and the official body's own site. Then check the business itself by name on the public evidence: reviews across sources, company status and credentials together.

Which register applies to which trade?

It differs by trade and by state or province. That is exactly what this page maps: each trade's checklist lists only the registers with public entries for that trade, largest first.

What if a trade is not listed?

A trade appears only when we have found at least 50 public entries for it here. A missing trade does not mean no register exists; it means we do not yet have enough information to map it honestly. The certifications directory lists every register we include in this market.

The entry counts show public register entries we have found by the date shown, not the register's own live total. A register not included here may still exist: the official body's site is always the final word.

More ways to check who to trust

Free, independent checks. No ads, no paid placement.

  • Cowboy Checker

    Spot the warning signs of a dishonest business before you hire.

  • Compare Quotes

    Enter the names from your quotes and line them up on the public evidence.

  • Company Health Check

    Check whether the company behind a business is active, dissolved, or in liquidation.

  • Certifications

    The certifications, licenses and registrations we have found in public sources, and what each one means.

  • Contractor Deposit Rules

    The legal down payment limit and license rules in your state, before any money moves.

  • Quote Check

    Describe the quote you were given and see which features are officially listed warning signs.

  • Rating Reality Check

    Where a rating and review count really sit against the market's full distribution.

  • License Check

    A license number from a van or quote, checked against every public register included here in one search.

  • Emergency: Who to Call

    Gas smell, power cut, burst pipe: the official number to call first, from the official pages.

Or browse contractors by trade