How Contractor Matching Works
Last updated: July 28, 2026
When you submit a project request or ask for a quote through ContractorsFinder, here is exactly what happens to your information and how contractors are selected to respond.
Step by step
- You submit a request. Using our Quote request Or Project planner Tools, you tell us the project category, a description of the work, your general location, and contact details.
- We identify eligible contractors. Your request is matched against contractors whose profile lists the relevant service category and who serve your area, based on the self-reported service categories and service radius on file. See our Vetting & Verification Policy For what "listed" requires.
- Your request may go to more than one contractor. Unless a page states that a specific request is exclusive, ContractorsFinder generally shares each request with multiple matching contractors so you can compare responses. This is explained in full on our Lead Distribution & Disclosure Page.
- Contractors respond directly to you. Matched contractors may call, text, or email you to discuss the project, provide an estimate, or schedule a visit. ContractorsFinder is not a party to any resulting agreement, estimate, or contract.
- You choose who to hire, or no one at all. Submitting a request never obligates you to hire any contractor who responds. You can decline any offer and are encouraged to compare more than one before committing.
What affects who gets matched
- Service category and sub-category selected on your request
- Your stated location or service ZIP code
- Contractor-reported service area and current capacity to take new work
- Whether a contractor's account is in good standing under our Terms of Use
ContractorsFinder does not guarantee that any contractor will respond, that responses will arrive within a specific time, or that a matched contractor is the best or lowest-cost option available in your area. Matching reflects profile data on file, not a live comparison of every licensed professional in your region.
Paid participation and neutrality
Some contractors pay ContractorsFinder a fee to receive matched requests, which is how the free homeowner-facing tools are funded. Paid participation affects whether a contractor appears as a candidate for matching in their category and area; it does not let a contractor pay to suppress accurate homeowner feedback or bypass our Verification requirements. Editorial guides, cost data, and rankings of categories are produced separately from matching and are governed by our Editorial Standards.
Related pages
For what happens to your contact details after a match, see Lead Distribution & Disclosure And our Privacy Policy. If a match goes wrong, see Contractor Complaints & Dispute Resolution.