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Permit history versus Angi versus Google reviews when you hire in Arizona

By So So Deep Contractor Search · Published August 18, 2026 · Updated August 18, 2026 · How the ranking works

Bottom line

Use the license and the permit file first, then reviews. An Arizona ROC class tells you the firm is allowed to contract the work. A city permit tells you they have done it here. Angi and Google answer sentiment and introductions, not standing.

You need a contractor who is allowed to do the work and has done it here. Directories, ads, and reviews answer different questions. Use them in that order, not as substitutes.

What each source is for

SourceWhat it provesWhat it cannot proveCost to you
Arizona ROC licenseLegal standing, class, expiration, disciplinary flagWorkmanship, price, local volumeFree on the ROC Contractor Search
City building permitsWho was named on permitted work in that cityWhether the owner liked the jobFree on the city's site, and on our city rankings
Google reviewsRecent customer sentiment from people who postedLicense class, permit volume, a complete sampleFree to read
Angi / HomeAdvisorA paid introduction to a contractor in their networkExclusivity, license standing, local permit historyThe contractor paid for the lead; you pay in mark-up or shared bids

The honest order for a hire

  1. Right active ROC class, not expired, looked up on the official site.
  2. No unresolved disciplinary problem you cannot live with.
  3. Permit history for this work in this city, when the city publishes it.
  4. Then reviews, references, and price.

That order is why a firm with a thousand reviews and the wrong class is still the wrong hire, and why a quiet firm with a CR-37 and a stack of city plumbing permits is a real candidate.

Where paid lead marketplaces fit

They sell introductions, often shared with other contractors who bought the same lead. That can be fine for the contractor buying work. It is a weak way for a homeowner to vet. The marketplace does not replace the ROC file or the city permit file.

Where So So Deep fits

Fits: Arizona license standing plus covered-city permit history, joined on license number, with a ranking you can audit on the live pages. Does not: booking, messaging, financing, or a workmanship guarantee.

If you only have time for one check tonight, run the license number on the ROC site. Then open the matching city and trade page. Reviews come after that.

Get a shortlist matched to your address

First one free

This page ranks the whole state. Enter your address and we'll narrow it to contractors who have pulled permits near you, check every license for standing and disciplinary history, and hand back a ranked shortlist you can call.

No card needed. See a finished report first if you'd rather.

How to check this yourself

Frequently asked questions

Are Google reviews useless for hiring an Arizona contractor?
No. They are useful after the license and the permit file check out. They cannot tell you the class, the expiration date, or whether the firm has pulled this work in your city.
Is Angi a license check?
No. Angi sells an introduction. The Arizona ROC Contractor Search is the license check, and it is free.
Why does So So Deep rank on permits instead of reviews?
Reviews are a partial, optional sample. Permit history and license standing are public records we can date, join, and repeat. See the sibling guide on why we do not rank by reviews.

Rankings and license facts reflect public records, not the quality of any individual job. This is not a workmanship guarantee. Always verify a contractor on the issuing board's official lookup before you hire.