locals-trust › Criteria
What a business must pass to join
Every business in a locals-trust chapter passes the same check, recorded with its source and date. Nothing about a business is shown until it has passed.
- A real local business: its address is in the town, or the business says it serves the town. Checked against the business's own address, or the towns it says it serves.
- A license: roofers hold an active Florida roofing contractor license (CCC or RC) and HVAC companies hold an active Florida air conditioning or mechanical contractor license (CAC, RA, CMC or RM), in the state license register (DBPR). Florida has no state locksmith license, so a locksmith is checked as registered (an active Florida company whose name and address match), reachable (its own website works and lists a phone that a second source also lists) and cross-checked (found in at least two independent sources, its own website not counting). Checked against the state license register (Florida DBPR); for locksmiths, the Florida company register, the business's own website and at least two independent sources.
- The code of conduct, agreed and dated when the business applies. Checked against the application on the join page.
- The owner confirms the facts we show about the business. Checked against the owner's confirmation, in writing.
- A re-check at least every 90 days; a business whose license lapses is taken off until it is fixed. Checked against the same sources as the first check.
Joining is free for the first businesses; dues never buy a rating or a place in any list. There is no ranking on this site.