Business identity
We want to understand who is operating the business and what services they provide.
Local First
Local First Standards
Being listed on Local First means meeting our standards. Businesses go through an application and assessment before they can appear here.
We don’t just list businesses. We take care over who we invite into the network.
That is a decision about who appears on Local First. It is not a promise about the work a listed business later carries out.
What we mean by “vetted”
When we say a business has been assessed — sometimes called vetted — we mean it has been reviewed against the applicable Local First standards at a point in time. We do not personally perform or supervise the work that business later carries out, and we do not guarantee the outcome of any job.
Local First is not an open directory. A business cannot list itself, buy its way in, or award itself trusted status. We invite businesses into the network after assessing them against the applicable Local First standards.
How a business becomes part of Local First
Application is not acceptance.
Every listing starts with an application. Local First then assesses, may verify, and only then may approve. The precise checks can differ depending on the trade and the circumstances.
01
Application
Businesses apply to join Local First and provide relevant information about the business and the services they offer. An application is an expression of interest. It is not a listing.
02
Business assessment
The application is reviewed against Local First’s standards. What we look at can vary depending on the type of business and service — a locksmith is not assessed in exactly the same way as a landscaper. Assessment may include consideration of factors such as:
- Business identity
- Relevant experience
- Services offered
- Service area
- Professional presentation
- Customer-facing information
- Relevant credentials or qualifications, where applicable
- Insurance or documentation, where relevant
- Reputation and available customer feedback
- Any other information Local First considers relevant
03
Verification
Where appropriate, Local First may request supporting information or documentation before accepting an application. We do not claim to inspect every document in the same way for every trade.
04
Local First approval
Only businesses that meet the applicable Local First standards are accepted onto the platform. Acceptance is a decision by Local First, at its discretion. A business cannot award itself trusted status.
05
Ongoing standards
Acceptance is not necessarily permanent. Businesses may be subject to ongoing review, complaints handling and reassessment. If a business no longer meets the applicable standards, Local First may suspend, remove or decline to renew its listing in accordance with the Terms & Conditions.
Assessment is not a single identical checklist for every trade. Local First considers the information available and what is relevant to that business and service.
What do we look for?
The kind of things an assessment may include.
Depending on the trade and the circumstances, Local First may consider some or all of the following. Not every check is performed in the same way for every application.
Professionalism
We consider how the business presents itself and communicates with customers.
Relevant credentials
Where relevant to the trade, we may consider qualifications, registrations, licences or other professional credentials.
Insurance & documentation
Where appropriate, businesses may be asked to provide evidence of relevant insurance or documentation.
Reputation
Available customer feedback and relevant information about the business may form part of the assessment.
Local service
Businesses should genuinely provide the services and coverage they advertise to customers.
Customer standards
Businesses are expected to communicate professionally and deal appropriately with customers.
What Local First approval means
Assessed against our standards — not a guarantee of every job.
Being accepted onto Local First means the business has been assessed against the applicable standards at the relevant point in time. It does not mean:
- Local First guarantees every job
- Local First guarantees workmanship
- Local First guarantees pricing
- Local First employs the business
- Local First is responsible for the work carried out
- Every listed business is suitable for every customer
Contracts for work are between the customer and the business. The legal framework is set out in our Terms & Conditions.
Fair, and firm
Mistakes happen. Patterns matter.
Local First does not claim that every listed business is perfect. A single disagreement is not, on its own, a reason to remove someone. We look for honesty, patterns of behaviour, and whether a business is prepared to put things right.
The legal framework
Want to understand the full framework?
This page explains how we assess businesses in plain language. The Terms & Conditions govern use of the platform.
Read our Terms & Conditions →