The BonService standard
What it takes to earn a badge
Anyone can claim to be the best plumber in town. Our job is to check. Every business on BonService is reviewed by our verification team before it is listed: one researcher builds the file, a second reviewer independently re-checks it, and only then does a badge go up. No single person can list a pro on their own.
How a listing gets verified
Research
A researcher pulls the business registration, trade licence, insurance documents, and community reviews into one file.
Independent review
A second reviewer, who did not build the file, re-checks every document and scores the pro against the seven point standard below.
Mystery quote
We send a test quote request. If the pro does not reply within two business days, they fail, no matter how good their work is.
Badge, then watch
Only when both reviewers agree does the badge go up. After that, licences, insurance, and reviews are re-checked every year, and complaints are monitored continuously.
The seven point standard
1. Registered business
Every pro must be a real, registered business in Quebec's enterprise registry (REQ). No cash only operators with no paper trail. If something goes wrong, you know exactly who you hired.
2. Licensed where the law requires it
Plumbers hold a CMMTQ licence, electricians hold a CMEQ licence, and general contractors hold an RBQ licence. We check the licence number against the public registry. Expired or missing means no badge.
3. Insured
Liability insurance, proof on file with us. If a pipe bursts or a wall gets damaged, you are not the one paying for it.
4. Review floor
At least 4.2 out of 5 across 15 or more community ratings, or at least three independent local references we collect ourselves. One great review from a cousin does not count.
5. Responsiveness test
We send a mystery quote request. If the pro does not reply within two business days, they fail, no matter how good their work is. The number one complaint we found in community research was pros who never call back.
6. Yearly re-verification
Badges expire after twelve months. Licences, insurance, and review scores are re-checked every year. A pro who was great in 2024 does not coast on it forever.
7. Strike system
Two unresolved customer complaints within twelve months and the badge comes down immediately. The pro can earn it back by resolving the complaints and passing a fresh check.
The two badges
Verified
Passed all seven checks. The highest level of confidence we offer.
Community Pick
Strong local word of mouth with lighter checks so far. Full verification in progress.