FOR PROS
The Twin Cities Standard:
We Don't Just List Them. We Vette Them.
Why we reject 40% of the companies that apply to be on this site.
The Algorithm vs. The Handshake
Most home service directories are just data-scraping robots. If a company has a credit card and a pulse, they get listed. That’s why you end up with “local pros” who are actually call centers in Arizona or out of state firms masking as family businesses.
Twin Cities Best is different. We are born from the Minnesota Home Shows. We have spent decades building face-to-face relationships with these contractors. We don’t just look at their data; we look them in the eye.
Our Process
The 5-Step Vetting Gauntlet
01
✓
The "Locally Owned" Mandate
We are fiercely protective of the local economy. To be a Verified Partner, a business must be Locally Owned and Operated.
We audit: Business filings to ensure the owner lives here, blocking out private equity roll-ups.
02
✓
The Owner Interview
Algorithms can’t judge character. Humans can. Unlike directories that automate onboarding, we require a direct interview with the leadership.
We audit: Are they a “Real” company or a lead-gen shell? We verify their values before we verify their payment.
03
✓
License & Insurance Integrity
It sounds basic, but many skip it. We manually verify their standing with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).
We audit: Proof of General Liability Insurance. If a license lapses, their listing is suspended immediately.
04
✓
The Reputation Audit
A 5-star rating isn’t enough (bots can buy those). We analyze history across Google, the BBB, and social platforms.
We audit: How they handle problems. Every business makes mistakes, but we only list the ones that fix them.
05
✓
The "No Middlemen" Rule
When you call a number on Twin Cities Best, you are calling that company directly.
We audit: We do not sell your data to “Lead Aggregators” who blast your phone number to 10 random contractors.
Who Doesn't Make the Cut?
✖
"Chuck in a Truck"
Unlicensed handy-people attempting complex structural work without insurance.
✖
The "Lead Gen" Ghost
Companies with no physical office in the Twin Cities metro area.
✖
The Corporate Giant
Conglomerates that have bought out local family names but cut quality to maximize profit.
✖
The "Ghoster"
Companies with a documented history of taking deposits and disappearing.
Verification isn't a one-time event.
We treat this directory like our own personal referral list. If we wouldn’t let them work on our own homes, we won’t let them on this website.