Groundcheck vs HomeAdvisor: which contractor check is more thorough?

HomeAdvisor was acquired by Angi (IAC) in 2017 and now operates as the same platform under different branding. HomeAdvisor's "ProFinder" service screens contractors at signup with a license verification (against the state board), proof of insurance, and a criminal background check on the owner. After signup, the verification is largely self-renewed.

HomeAdvisor's verification is meaningful for the entry filter — contractors with revoked licenses or recent felony convictions typically don't make it onto the platform. But the model creates a structural problem: HomeAdvisor is paid by contractors (subscription plus per-lead fees), which means HomeAdvisor is incentivized to keep contractors active on the platform. Surfacing ongoing red flags (a new lien, a new OSHA citation, a license suspension) reduces HomeAdvisor's revenue.

Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) has no contractor relationship. It is paid by the homeowner or commercial buyer running the verification ($0 free tier, $19 Deep Dive, $99.99/month Pro). There is no incentive to suppress red flags — the product's value is exactly in surfacing them.

Specific coverage that Groundcheck adds beyond HomeAdvisor:

1. Secretary of State entity match. Confirms the LLC or corporation on the contract actually exists and is in good standing. HomeAdvisor does not check this on an ongoing basis.

2. County and federal court records. Mechanics' liens against the contractor, breach of contract judgments, bankruptcy filings. The single most predictive signal for contractor failure. HomeAdvisor does not check.

3. OSHA citation history. Safety violations that predict worker injuries on your property. HomeAdvisor does not check.

4. Phoenix-company cross-reference. Detects the same operator running multiple LLCs at the same address. HomeAdvisor does not check.

5. Continuous monitoring. Groundcheck Deep Dive and Pro tiers monitor for new evidence for 12 months. HomeAdvisor relies on contractor self-renewal.

What HomeAdvisor does that Groundcheck does not: customer reviews from prior HomeAdvisor jobs, owner criminal background check (FCRA-regulated, with consent), HomeAdvisor's limited project guarantee, and the lead-matching workflow itself.

Right workflow: find contractors via HomeAdvisor or other lead sources, then verify them via Groundcheck before signing. The two are complementary, not substitutes.