For Calgary homeowners
How we verify Calgary trades
Most directories let businesses self-claim “verified” without ever checking. Calgary Trade HQ checks every credential against the public register that issued it — and links you to that register so you can confirm it yourself.
How does Calgary Trade HQ verify businesses?
Calgary Trade HQ verifies each premium listing against three categories of public register: trade certifications (Tradesecrets Alberta), business licensing (City of Calgary, WCB Alberta, CRA), and independent reviews (Google, HomeStars, BBB). Every credential we display links back to its source so you can confirm it yourself.
What we verify
Six credential categories cover what matters when you hire a trade in Calgary: trade competence, business legitimacy, worker coverage, tax registration, third-party reputation, and financial protection. Each one has a public register or document that proves it.
| Credential | What it proves | Where we check |
|---|---|---|
| Red Seal trade ticket | Tradesperson passed the federal Red Seal exam in their trade | Tradesecrets Alberta credential check ↗ |
| City of Calgary business licence | Business is licensed to operate in Calgary | City of Calgary business licence search ↗ |
| WCB Alberta active coverage | Workers are covered for workplace injuries | WCB Alberta clearance letter lookup ↗ |
| GST/HST registration | Business is registered with the CRA for GST/HST | CRA GST/HST registry confirmation ↗ |
| BBB rating + accreditation | Independent letter grade and complaint history | BBB business profile ↗ |
| Liability insurance | Business carries general liability coverage | Certificate of Insurance (PDF on file) |
How verification works
The same five-step process runs for every premium listing. There are no shortcuts and no “trusted partner” bypasses — every credential goes through the same check before it displays publicly.
- 1
The business submits credentials
The business gives us their cert numbers and licence details — Red Seal certificate, City of Calgary business licence, WCB account, insurance policy, BBB profile, and any industry memberships.
- 2
We check each credential against the public register
We look up every credential at its source: Tradesecrets Alberta for trade tickets, the City of Calgary licence search for business licensing, WCB Alberta for clearance status, the CRA registry for GST, and the BBB for accreditation status.
- 3
We approve or reject each credential individually
Only credentials we have confirmed at the source display publicly. Anything we cannot confirm stays hidden — even if the business has submitted it.
- 4
Every credential links back to its public register
Verified credentials show on the listing with a "Verify ↗" link. The link goes to the source register so you can confirm the same information yourself.
- 5
We refresh time-bound credentials annually
WCB clearance, insurance certificates, and licences expire. We track expiry dates and re-verify before the credential lapses, or remove it from the public listing if it does.
Why we link out instead of saying “verified by us”
Public registers are the source of truth — not us. Tradesecrets Alberta confirms whether a Red Seal ticket is real. The City of Calgary confirms whether a business licence is current. WCB Alberta confirms whether coverage is active. We are not those authorities, and pretending we are erodes trust on both sides.
Linking out is also accountability. If a register changes its mind tomorrow — pulls a licence, lapses a clearance — the link still goes to the truth. A “verified by Calgary Trade HQ” badge would lie to you the moment we miss an update. The register cannot lie because it is the register.
What this means when you hire someone
Click the “Verify ↗” link next to any credential before you book the job. The register page should show the same cert number, business name, and active status that the listing claims. If anything does not match — wrong name on the licence, expired clearance, missing trade ticket — that is a real signal, and you should ask the contractor about it before signing anything.
For most jobs in Calgary, the four credentials worth confirming yourself are the trade ticket, the City of Calgary business licence, WCB clearance, and proof of liability insurance. Each takes 30 seconds at the source.
FAQ
How does Calgary Trade HQ verify businesses?
Calgary Trade HQ verifies each premium listing against three categories of public register: trade certifications (Tradesecrets Alberta), business licensing (City of Calgary, WCB Alberta, CRA), and independent reviews (Google, HomeStars, BBB). Every credential we display links back to its source so you can confirm it yourself.
Are free listings on Calgary Trade HQ verified?
Free listings show contact details and category but no verified credentials. Credential verification is included with the Calgary Highlight upgrade ($99/year). Free listings are reviewed for accuracy before publishing — they are not unverified businesses, they are listings without paid credential verification.
What's a Red Seal certificate?
A Red Seal certificate is a federal Canadian trade certification confirming a tradesperson has passed the inter-provincial standards exam. In Alberta, it is administered by Apprenticeship and Industry Training. You can check any Red Seal holder at the Tradesecrets Alberta credential check page.
How do I verify a Calgary contractor's WCB coverage myself?
Go to my.wcb.ab.ca/ext/clearanceletter and search by the business name or WCB account number. The clearance letter confirms whether the business has active WCB coverage as of today. Calgary Trade HQ links premium listings directly to their WCB clearance.
What if a credential expires?
Expired credentials stop displaying on the listing automatically. Insurance certificates and WCB clearance letters typically renew annually. We email the business 30 days before any tracked credential expires, and we remove the credential from the public listing if it lapses.
Why don't all premium listings have a Red Seal credential?
Red Seal certificates apply only to specific trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gasfitting, and others on the federal Red Seal list. A renovation contractor or landscaping business will not have a Red Seal but may hold a Service Alberta Prepaid Contractor Licence or industry-association membership instead.
Is Calgary Trade HQ affiliated with the BBB or HomeStars?
No. Calgary Trade HQ is independent. We display BBB ratings and HomeStars scores on premium profiles by linking to those platforms — we are not paid by either, and they are not paid by us. The ratings shown are pulled from each platform and link back to the original profile.
Find a verified Calgary trade
Browse Calgary Trade HQ to find electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofers, and other trades — with credentials linked to the public registers that issued them.