What is vendor verification and why do we do it?
Vendor verification is Trusted Only's review process that adds an extra layer of trust and confidence in the vendor's business by checking current licenses, insurance, and, when relevant, professional credentials—based on the documents vendors provide.
After vendor documents are validated, the vendor's Vendor Business Card (VBC) displays a Verified badge so agents and homeowners know the vendor's information is up to date.
Our goal is to make it easier for organizations, real estate agents, and consumers to access this information in one central location. We take on the overhead of collecting, storing, and reviewing these documents so vendors don't have to repeatedly provide them to multiple parties.
We do not perform due diligence on behalf of any party. Anyone engaging with vendors listed on our platform does so at their own risk and should conduct their own research.
Step 1: Upload Your Verification Documents
Go to the Licenses & Insurance section of your VBC.
Upload the required documents:
Business license (minimum requirement).
Insurance documents (general liability, workers’ comp, or other relevant coverage).
If you are an inspector, upload your inspector license for each inspector.
Optional: Upload any additional documents you want agents or consumers to see for due diligence.
Step 2: Submit for Verification
Once all documents are uploaded, click the Ready for Verification button.
This alerts the Trusted Only team to begin reviewing your documents.
Step 3: Verification & Notification
Our team will review your documents for legitimacy.
If more information is needed, we will reach out via email.
Once verified:
Your VBC will display a Verified Badge.
You will receive a confirmation email.
Need Help?
For help or questions, you can:
Click the Help button inside the application.
Email us at [email protected].
Trusted Only Vendor Verification Process - FAQs
What does the vendor verification process involve?
Our verification process consists of manually reviewing two key documents: licenses (where applicable) and insurance documents (where applicable) for each vendor.
What is the minimum requirement for vendors who don't need a specific license?
For vendors whose industry doesn't require state licensing (such as photographers), the minimum requirement is that they are incorporated and registered as a business in their state. We then match their business registration with their insurance documentation.
How do you verify a vendor's license?
We review the license document the vendor uploads, then cross-reference it with the organization that issued the license (for example, DBPR in Florida) to confirm the license is legitimate and still active.
How do you verify insurance?
We verify the information on the insurance document that is provided to us. Specifically, we confirm that:
They have coverage for their company
The coverage has not expired
The insurance is issued to the correct company name
Do you verify the amount or type of coverage a vendor needs?
No. We verify that the vendor has active insurance coverage for their company, but we do not assess whether the coverage amount or type is adequate for their specific work.
Do you perform background checks on vendors?
No, we do not conduct background checks.
Do you perform due diligence on vendors?
No. Trusted Only does not perform due diligence on behalf of any party. We provide access to documents that vendors submit, but consumers, real estate agents, organizations, and anyone else hiring or working with these vendors must conduct their own due diligence. Anyone engaging with vendors listed on our platform does so at their own risk.
What happens when a document expires?
Our system tracks expiration dates. When a document expires, we notify the vendor that they need to upload an updated document. Their status changes from "verified" to "not verified" until they upload a new document and it has been reviewed.
When exactly do you verify documents?
We verify documents at two points: when a vendor initially uploads them, and again when they upload renewed versions after expiration.
What happens if a vendor is missing required documentation?
If a vendor is missing either their license/business registration or insurance, we notify the partner organization (such as STAR), who then decides whether to approve the vendor or not.
Who can access the verified documents?
Organizations (like STAR), real estate agents, and consumers can all view the documents we've collected and reviewed. This centralized access makes it easier for anyone to access these documents in one place.
How does this benefit vendors?
Vendors save time by uploading their documents once to a central location rather than repeatedly providing them to multiple parties. We handle the storage, review, and distribution so they don't have to.
Disclaimer: Trusted Only verifies documents based solely on information provided by vendors. We do not perform due diligence, background checks, or endorse any vendor. A "verified" status is not a guarantee or recommendation. Anyone engaging with vendors on this platform does so at their own risk and is responsible for conducting their own due diligence.