Methodology
How OpenBook Local Collects, Checks and Labels Information
What goes on an information sheet, where it comes from, what our labels mean, how reports are ordered, and what businesses can and can't pay for.
Section 1What we track
Every business gets the same list of fields, chosen because they change what you pay or what you're protected against. Because the list is fixed, gaps are visible.
| Group | Fields | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Founded, Ownership, Team size, Service area, State license, Insurance certificate | 6 |
| Services | Specialties, Project types, Subcontracted work, Typical timeline | 4 |
| Pricing | Typical price range, Minimum project, Consultation fee, Estimate policy, Change-order pricing | 5 |
| Policies | Deposit, Payment schedule, Warranty, Cancellation terms, Financing, Current wait time | 6 |
| Media | Project photos | 1 |
| Reputation (ratings, review volume and recent activity) is added from public sources and isn't counted in the 22. | ||
Section 2Where information comes from
- Supplied The business told us in writing, on a call or through its account.
- Public record State license board, state business registry and county permit records, looked up by us with the reference and date.
- Supplied by business A document the business sent us, such as an insurance certificate. We check its names and dates.
- Public listing Public business listings and review sources.
- Business website The business's own website. We label it because a website claim isn't a contract term.
- Customer reports Prices or details mentioned in public reviews, used only when several reviews support them.
Section 3What our labels mean
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not provided | We don't have an answer from the business, or the answer couldn't be confirmed. It stays until the business supplies the information. |
| Not offered | The business told us it doesn't offer this (for example, financing). |
| Conflicting | Two sources disagree. We show both and say which we rely on. |
| Unclaimed | The business hasn't taken control of its sheet. Information comes from public sources and our own checks. |
| Enhanced profile (paid) | The business pays for extra presentation. It has no effect on order or labels. |
Section 4How reports are ordered
A report includes every business we hold for that service and area that is active and reachable. Tables and listings are alphabetical; the order is not a ranking, and no business can pay to be added, removed or moved. Sponsored placements, if any, appear in a separate box marked Sponsored, outside the comparison.
Section 5How often we update
Every sheet is rechecked at least every 90 days: license status, reviews and public records. A sheet is also updated within five working days when a business supplies information, and the change is listed in the sheet's history.
Section 6How we make money
What businesses can pay for
- Enhanced profile: more photos, a contact form, a logo
- Statistics on views and requests
- Requests sent through our forms (we may be paid per request)
What payment can never do
- Change the order of a table (it's alphabetical)
- Remove or soften an accurate negative fact
- Remove a Not provided label without supplying the information
Section 7Corrections
Anyone can ask us to correct a sheet: homeowners, businesses or employees. Tell us the page, the field and the evidence on our corrections page. We reply within five working days and log every change on the sheet.
Section 8Questions about our method
What does OpenBook Local publish openly?
The same set of fields for every business (prices, deposits, warranties, policies, license and insurance), the record checks with their source and date, and public rating figures. Gaps are shown as Not provided instead of being left out.
How should I read a business's information sheet?
Read each field with its source tag. Public record means we looked it up in an official record; Supplied by business means a document the business sent us; On file means information we hold. Not provided is a question to ask before you sign.
How current are the sources?
Every sheet shows the date it was last checked, and every record check has its own date. Sheets are rechecked at least every 90 days, and a check past its re-check date is marked as due.
How do I get a sheet corrected?
Tell us the page, the field and your evidence on the corrections page. We reply within five working days and log the change on the sheet.