Comparison · 2026-10-25 · By David Linda, Founder
HomeProFax vs BBB: complaints and ratings vs licenses and permits
They answer different questions. The Better Business Bureau tells you how a business treats customers who complain. HomeProFax, a free contractor report from public records, tells you what the license boards and permit offices have on file. For a contractor, you usually want both.
Side by side
| BBB | HomeProFax | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A nonprofit; not a government agency (BBB FAQ) | A free contractor report from public records, operated by Repdigi LLC |
| Main record | Customer complaints and the business's responses | License status and expiry, building permits, board discipline flags |
| Rating | A+ to F, based on complaint history, responses, transparency and licensing or government actions; customer reviews don't affect it | 0–100 from license 35, discipline 20, permits 20, reviews 25 (methodology) |
| Who's included | Accredited and non-accredited businesses | Contractors on state and city license rosters and permit records |
| Paid by | Accredited Business dues (BBB FAQ) | Free; contractors can't pay to change a score |
| Can you file a complaint? | Yes; BBB forwards it to the business | No. You can leave a review or send a correction |
How a BBB rating works
BBB's FAQ says ratings run from A+ to F and reflect the business's complaint history, how it responds to complaints, its transparency, and licensing or government actions it knows about. Reviews are shown but don't change the rating. Accreditation is separate: a business can have an A+ without being accredited, and BBB says paying dues doesn't buy a rating or remove a complaint. To be accredited, a business must meet the BBB Standards for Trust, which include meeting licensing requirements and keeping at least a B rating, and pay a fee based on factors such as its size.
How HomeProFax uses BBB data
HomeProFax doesn't copy BBB profiles. Where we have researched a business, the report shows its BBB letter grade and complaint count and links to BBB. That grade feeds the reviews factor of the score. We've researched BBB records for only an initial set of profiles, so most HomeProFax reports have no BBB data, and that factor then scores neutral rather than negative (data sources).
What neither one covers
- State court lawsuits. BBB says it generally does not report private lawsuits or small claims court actions (BBB FAQ). HomeProFax shows only possible federal court matches from CourtListener. Contractor disputes usually land in state county court, so search those yourself.
- Insurance. Neither confirms a current policy. Call the insurer on the certificate.
- Work quality on your job. Permits that passed final inspection are the closest public signal; ask for recent addresses and look them up.
Our Colorado contractor check guide covers these steps, with the Colorado sites for each.
Where BBB is stronger
- Complaints and dispute help. BBB takes complaints, forwards them to the business, and makes them part of the public profile. HomeProFax doesn't mediate disputes.
- Every kind of business. BBB covers businesses of all kinds, not only licensed trades.
- Scam reports. BBB Scam Tracker collects scam reports from the public.
- History. A long complaint record can show patterns that a license file can't.
Where HomeProFax is stronger
- The license itself. A BBB rating can reflect licensing actions, but HomeProFax shows the license line: issuer, type, status and expiry date, with a link to the board.
- Permits. In cities that publish permit data, HomeProFax shows the contractor's permit history.
- Trades that cities license. In Colorado, roofers and general contractors are licensed by cities, and HomeProFax includes city license lists such as Aurora, Arvada and Thornton.
When to use which
| Question | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Is the license active right now? | HomeProFax, then the licensing board |
| Do customers complain, and does the business answer? | BBB |
| Does this contractor pull permits for this kind of work? | HomeProFax (where the city publishes permits) or the city portal |
| I have a dispute and want a response from the business | BBB, then your state attorney general |
| Has the business been sued? | Neither; search state court records |
Last updated October 25, 2026. HomeProFax is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA, and its reports may not be used for credit, insurance, employment or tenant screening decisions. Full disclaimer.
Common questions
Is the BBB a government agency?
No. BBB says it is a nonprofit organization, not a government agency, and it is funded by Accredited Business dues.
Can a business pay for a better BBB rating?
BBB says accreditation dues do not buy a rating or remove a complaint, and a business can have an A+ rating without being accredited.
Does the BBB show lawsuits against a contractor?
BBB says it generally does not report private lawsuits or small claims court actions. Search state court records for those.
What is the difference between HomeProFax and the BBB?
BBB rates businesses on complaint history, responses, transparency and licensing or government actions. HomeProFax is a free contractor report from public records that shows license status, building permits and board discipline flags, with a BBB grade where researched.
Is a HomeProFax report a consumer report?
No. HomeProFax is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA, and its reports may not be used for credit, insurance, employment or tenant screening decisions.
Sources
Details about other companies come from their own public pages, linked in the Sources list and checked on October 25, 2026. They can change. Product names are trademarks of their owners; HomeProFax is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.