Service shortlists · vetting · engagement log

Contractors

Canonical contractor records — one entry per firm, referenced from each asset (vehicle, equipment, household, claim) that uses them. Status taxonomy: pending vettingshortlistedengaged (with service log).

Why this section exists: spotting a contractor (yard sign, side-of-truck, friend's recommendation) is the easy part. Vetting (BBB check, reviews, first call) is the discipline that prevents bad hires. This page parks every candidate as a pending record until they're verified, so nothing slips through.

First-pass signal — 6-axis weighted breakdown

(click to expand the legend — collapsed by default since you get it after the first read)

Every contractor gets a deterministic first-pass evaluation across six axes before any vetting starts. The aggregate signal (🟢 GREEN / 🟡 YELLOW / 🔴 RED) is the weighted score; the per-axis breakdown shows where the risk lives. Weights are tunable — edit the table to re-rank what matters.

AxisWt🟢 GREEN (100)🟡 YELLOW (60)🔴 RED (0)
BBB / social proof25%A+ accredited, multi-yearClaimed but unverified, or no reviewsUnaccredited, or active complaints
Legal entity20%LLC/Inc visible, state-registrableClaimed entity, unverifiedNo entity claim / sole-prop with no records
Lead origin20%Referral · recurring · professional discoveryActive-operator truck or website-foundRoadside yard sign · cold lead
Web presence15%Real working siteMinimal one-pager · social-onlyParked domain / no site
Phone signal10%Local area code matching regionOut-of-state but trade-explicable (e.g. mail-in)Toll-free with no geo-anchor
Name specificity10%Specific named trade + identifierSpecific trade, generic namingGeneric / SEO-keyword pick
Aggregate: ≥80 → 🟢 GREEN · 50-79 → 🟡 YELLOW · <50 → 🔴 RED. Pending-evaluation axes (⏳) score as 60 until checked, so unchecked-BBB doesn't tank a score but does prevent a clean GREEN. The aggregate-pill works alongside the engagement-pill (pending → shortlisted → engaged) — together they answer two questions: do we trust them? and where are we in the relationship?

Driveway & property

Sealcoating
shortlist
(cohort)
Asphalt driveway sealcoating + crack sealing cohort · 3 strong fits (C&D · PowerSurge · A&H) + 2 worth chasing (Lehigh Valley regional + Hicks NJ) + 2 skip (Earl's + Black Bear) + 3 out-of-area reference
Cohort · 5 vetting + 2 skip · all BBB-cross-referenced
Started after Earl's Sealcoating came back null on BBB (risk flag). Black Bear is the do-not-rehire (used once 2020, sloppy work). Three strong-fit candidates have website + BBB + Facebook captured for first-call. → full shortlist + vetting script.
Skip
do not
re-engage
New Hope PA · used once 2020-09-07 for $1,425.14 sealcoat + crack-seal · sloppy job required a re-do
Skip · do not re-engage
Kept on file as a historical record. → full record.
Pending
vetting
Asphalt driveways + parking lots + line striping · 215-436-3624 area suggests Bucks / Montgomery base · pending vetting
Pending · vetting
Cross-referenced in the sealcoating shortlist as "worth chasing" tier. → full record.
Pending
vetting
Driveways + parking-lot paving · 877-884-7325 toll-free · "The Finest of Paving" · spotted as roadside yard sign May 2026
Pending · vetting
No engagement yet — record opened from yard-sign sighting. → full record.

Stonework & restoration

To
search
Sandblasting · stonework
Mobile sandblasting services for stone restoration — patio re-cleaning, log-cabin refresh, pool surround, weathered facades. Spotted as a roadside pole-sign cluster 2026-06-10 (the same pole carried Mobile Sand Blasting · 908-303-4346 advertising POOLS + LOG CABINS). Search trade-name "mobile sandblasting" + "stone restoration" within Bucks / Montgomery / Warren-NJ radius.
Web-search · queued for later
Pole-sign exhibit lives at sandbox.gf.cx/signage. Open a per-firm record once a candidate is identified.

Vehicle specialty

Vehicle wrap
shortlist
(cohort)
Apple Graphics is the current lead (multi-service: covers F-250 wrap + BMW tint + future LR4 tint under one roof) · open slots for second-opinion wrap quote + ceramic tint specialist
Cohort · 1 lead + 2 open slots
Apple Graphics covers all 3 use-cases but the shortlist exists for second-opinion quotes before committing to a multi-day wrap. → full shortlist.
Window tint
shortlist
(cohort)
BMW 2013 (4 side windows + rear) · 5 candidates across Bucks County + NJ · deadline mid-July 2026 · ceramic film focus · PA 70% VLT legal limits on file
Cohort · 5 candidates · deadline-driven
Real G Tints (XPEL stocking dealer, Ewing NJ) is call-first. XP Automotive (Southampton, 1,500+ reviews, BMW track record) is second. Dan's Mobile (Flemington, comes to you) eliminates drop-off logistics. → full shortlist.
Pending
vetting
Vehicle wraps + window tinting + signage based in Warminster PA · pending vetting for F-250 work-van wrap + BMW 2013 window tint
Pending · vetting · F-250 + BMW use-cases
Identified as the lead for the vehicle-wrap shortlist cohort. → full record.

Landscaping & seasonal

Garden
maintenance
shortlist (cohort)
Jorge (José Cardona · 969-850-9254) + Willow Tree (Hatboro · 40 yrs · tree-care specialist) + ChipDrop (free wood-chip platform · ~$20 tip) are all engaged · open slots for backup garden crew + hardscape/drainage
Cohort · 3 engaged + 2 open slots
Three engagements across three roles (labor / tree-care specialist / wood-chip supply). Jorge's real identity captured via receipt OCR Nov 2024. Willow Tree recovered from PDF receipt Aug 2025. ChipDrop matchmaking platform on file via glaabw6c@duck.com Fastmail alias. → full shortlist.
Engaged
recurring
(215) 800-2688 · recurring yard clean-up + garden waste removal at New Hope · also handles drainage scope (2025-10 french-drain install)
Engaged · recurring
Engaged seasonally — primary garden contractor. → full record + service log.
Engaged
5 drops
Free wood-chip delivery matchmaking platform · ~$20 tip per drop · notifications now route to dan@gf.cx (promoted from duck.com alias 2026-05-25)
Engaged · 5 drops 2024-2025
Engaged · active signup — 5 drops landed, 3 successful + 2 unsuccessful. → full record + drop log.
Engaged
tree care
Hatboro PA · family-owned tree care + landscape services since 1985 · engaged 2025 for $1,500 Beech Leaf Disease macro-injection on 3 trees
Engaged · tree-care specialist
Engaged 2025 — Beech Leaf Disease treatment on trees 1, 5, 6. → full record.
Inquiry
8″ chipper
rental
Equipment-rental dealer (Warminster, PA) · inquiring about 8″ chipper rental availability for heavier limb/branch work (beyond what the owned Ardisam Tazz K32 chipper-shredder handles)
Inquiry · 8″ chipper rental
Inquiry stage — 8″ chipper rental availability TBC, no booking yet.
Best Line Equipment · 900 Louis Drive, Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 675-3009 · toll-free 1-800-679-2378
rental availability ↗ · map & hours ↗ · note: all locations closed Saturdays until 2026-03-14

Property & gates

Fence + gate
shortlist
(cohort)
Strong Fence (Pottstown PA · Walt) is the lead with a live quote for the New Hope front-gate replacement · open slots for gate automation + cattle grid + wrought-iron specialists
Cohort · 1 lead (quote in flight) + 3 open slots
Strong Fence covers replacement only — NOT automation or cattle grid (those are separate trades). Shortlist exists to surface candidates for the specialty gaps before scope expansion. → full shortlist.
Lead
quote in
flight
Pottstown PA (Montgomery County) · fence + gate installation · currently quoting on the New Hope front-gate replacement
Lead · quote in flight
Active vetting · quote in progress for the front-gate replacement project. → full record.

Personal · jewellery & watches

Watch +
jewellery
shortlist (cohort)
WatchRepair.net (Miami FL · Harriet Herman) is GREEN-cleared at 100/100 for two Omega overhauls · open slots for local Bucks jeweller (walk-in) + East-Coast backup watchmaker
Cohort · 1 cleared + 2 open slots
Mail-in workflow ready; Dan's go-ahead is the only remaining gate. Local jeweller still open for in-person needs (battery, sizing, eval). → full shortlist.
In
conversation
Mail-in Swiss-watch repair (Omega specialist) based in Florida · CW21-certified watchmaker · A+ BBB 18+ years · ~4-week turnaround
Pending · in conversation
In conversation about overhauling Dan's Seamaster + Audrey's classic Omega. → full record.

Household specialty

Household
specialty
shortlist (cohort)
Newtown Sew & Vac is engaged for Miele service · open slots for licensed plumber + HVAC service + general appliance repair + locksmith — pre-vet before something fails
Cohort · 1 engaged + 4 open slots
The plumber + HVAC + locksmith slots are the "don't wait until you need them at 4pm" surfaces. Slot the right specialty in when a candidate surfaces (yard sign, referral, BBB lookup). → full shortlist.

Junk haulers

Junk hauling
shortlist
(cohort)
Junk Elves is in active conversation (estimate requested 21 May 2026) · open slot for backup hauler + TBD vendor (Tree Surgery $1,500 Aug 2025 receipt is a PDF the OCR pass skipped — name not yet recovered)
Cohort · 1 in conversation + 1 open slot + 1 TBD vendor pending receipt OCR
Junk Elves cross-references with Strong Fence (metal fence haul-out) + 2021-07-29 tree-debris insurance dispute. Open lead: Tree Surgery vendor from Aug 2025 ($1,500) — PDF receipt needs human review to extract name. → full shortlist.
Pending
estimate
in flight
Junk removal · serves Bucks + Montgomery + Northampton counties PA · 🟡 YELLOW first-pass signal · estimate request 21 May 2026 (door + metal fence + branches/wood)
Pending · estimate requested
Active conversation — estimate in flight. → full record.

Awnings & exterior shading

Awning
shortlist
(cohort)
0 candidates · pure shortlist-building stage · pre-condition: capture awning brand + dimensions + fault symptom on next New Hope visit to enable brand-authorized dealer search
Cohort · 0 candidates · 1 open slot
Brand-authorized dealer is the gating discipline — SunSetter / Awntech / Sunesta / Eclipse authorized firms preserve warranty. Capture brand on next visit. → full shortlist.

Painters & decorators

Painters
shortlist
(cohort)
1 candidate (Mejia · pending first call) · paint work decomposes into 4 sub-specialties (interior · exterior · trim/cabinet · deck stain) · open slots for each so the right vendor lands in the right cell
Cohort · 1 candidate + 4 open slots
Most paint failures are prep failures — the vetting script asks about prep first. → full shortlist.
Mejia
pending
first call
NJ side of New Hope · (609) 851-6882 · referral · no jobs yet · sub-specialty + insurance + lead-paint cert + material default all TBD until first call
Shortlisted · pending first call
Vetting-script questions captured on the record. Promote to Engaged once first job lands in Harvest. → full record.

Pool & spa

Engaged
preferred
call first
Doylestown PA · (215) 460-9858 · open/close/service/repair/renovation · 7 jobs since Dec 2023 · ~$3,980 lifetime · 25+ years · CPO-certified
GREEN Engaged · preferred · call first Score 85 / 100
BBB 25 Entity 20 Lead 20 Web 15 Phone 10 Name 10
Engaged since Dec 2023 — Harvest cadence proves recurring engagement. 854 New Galena Rd · 15 min drive · Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. → full record + 7-job service log.
Pool renovation
shortlist
(cohort)
A&B Pools engaged for routine + service · open slots for specialty scope they may not cover (plaster/liner · deck · automation · emergency leak)
Cohort · 1 engaged + 6 open slots by specialty
Surfaces specialty trades A&B may NOT have in-house — goal: have specialty candidates pre-vetted BEFORE a leak/plaster failure forces a rushed decision. → full shortlist.

Electrical & power

Engaged
preferred
call first
Electrical contractor · 3 jobs at New Hope since 2020 · $1,448 lifetime · dimmers · GFI · Sense install · chandelier · Lutron · panel/meter · radon-fan
GREEN Engaged · preferred · call first Score 88 / 100
BBB 25 Entity 20 Lead 20 Web 15 Phone 10 Name 10
Lived-experience A++ across 3 jobs (2020 / Mar 2024 / Jul 2024). The contractor to call FIRST for any future electrical work, no shortlisting needed. → full record + service log.
Electrical
shortlist
(cohort)
Aratech engaged-preferred · open slots for backup electrician (when Aratech is booked) + solar installer + generator install/service
Cohort · 1 engaged + 3 open slots
Aratech owns the routine work; shortlist surfaces specialty scope (solar, generator, EV charger) for future capacity planning. → full shortlist.

Technology & data recovery

Data recovery
shortlist
(cohort)
5 vendors within ~45 min for moving data off multiple legacy Macs onto a new machine · 1 default (dtown tech) + 1 lab escalation (Data Recovery NJ) + 1 local backup (JWS Computers) + 2 skip · workshop crib-sheet on Mac data-migration methods + testimonials curated for the escalation path
Cohort · 5 vetted · 1 default + 1 escalation + 1 backup + 2 skip
Seeded 2026-05-29. Triage job (bootable vs flaky vs bricked) needs a generalist + a recovery lab in tandem — dtown handles diagnostic + plain-copy, DRNJ handles clean-room work. → full shortlist + crib-sheet + testimonials.
Default
call first
Doylestown PA · Mac + PC + iPhone generalist · 343 Birdeye reviews / 97 Yelp · free diagnostic · owner Blake Lertzman
YELLOW Pending · default for shortlist Score 63 / 100
BBB 25 Entity 20 Lead 20 Web 15 Phone 10 Name 10
Highest community-trust signal of the cohort but no BBB profile surfaced — verify legal entity on first call. → full record.
Escalation
per-drive
Watchung NJ · only dedicated recovery lab in cohort · Mac / APFS / Fusion Drive · "no outsourcing" · 4.8★ from 84 Google · owner Larry Bennett · 15 yrs · 17 verbatim testimonials (2014→2024)
GREEN Pending · escalation path Score 80 / 100
BBB 25 Entity 20 Lead 20 Web 15 Phone 10 Name 10
Stated price ceiling <$1,000/drive, 60% under $400 — surgical per-drive use only after dtown's diagnostic. → full record + testimonials.
Local
backup
Lambertville NJ · Main Street · 37 yrs · A+ BBB · principal Jeff Sailer · walking distance over the bridge
GREEN Pending · local backup Score 85 / 100
BBB 25 Entity 20 Lead 20 Web 15 Phone 10 Name 10
Word-of-mouth shop, very thin online review trail — use when dtown's queue is long. → full record.
Skip
wrong fit
(park)
New Hope PA · in-zip · 5 yrs · strongest Instagram of cohort (4,783 followers) · owner Adrian Clarke · "data recovery" reads software-level not lab
YELLOW Skip · park for home-office IT Score 73 / 100
Wrong fit for THIS job — right fit when there's network / smart-home / home-office build-out scope. → full record.
Skip
lower
confidence
Skillman NJ · 22-yr NJ corp (alt name Princeton Computers Inc.) · president Christopher Rush · 4.2★ Yelp (lowest in cohort) · database padding mismatch (14-emp claim vs 2-person reality) · narrow hours 11-3 weekdays
YELLOW Skip · park as Mercer-side option Score 79 / 100
Functional but not the confident-throughput pick for a multi-machine job. → full record.