Built on Skill. Backed By Proof.
The Standard for Verified Installer Skill.
The Verified Trade Index (VTI) measures real installer experience, training, and certifications to create a transparent, trusted standard for professional flooring installation.
For decades, installer qualifications have been difficult to verify. Dealers, contractors, and homeowners have had to rely on word-of-mouth, photos, or self-reported experience.
The VTI changes that by creating a clear, industry-backed way to measure and display installer skill.
The Flooring Industry Has a Visibility Problem
Installation is the most important moment in the life of any flooring product, yet the industry has never had a standardized way to evaluate installer skill.
Companies hiring installers often rely on:
- Verbal claims of experience
- Photos of past projects
- Social media posts
- Word-of-mouth recommendations
These methods make it difficult to truly understand an installer’s training, qualifications, and reliability.
The result is uncertainty for companies and missed opportunities for skilled professionals who deserve recognition.
What Is the Verified Trade Index?
The Verified Trade Index is the flooring industry’s first system designed to measure installer skill through verified professional data.
Instead of relying on self-reported experience, the VTI evaluates:
- Training completed
- Certifications earned
- Verified work/years of experience
This information is used to generate an installer’s VTI score and level, providing a clear and transparent representation of their professional capability.
How The VTI Works
Create a Profile
Installers create a free profile that captures their experience, training history, certifications, and other professional information.
Verify Experience
TradeTap verifies professional experience, training participation, and certifications through trusted industry partners.
Calculate the VTI
Verified information is analyzed using TradeTap’s patented scoring system to produce a clear skill rating.
Display the Results
The installer’s VTI score and qualifications are displayed on their professional profile.
How VTI Scores Are Calculated
The Verified Trade Index evaluates installer skill using verified professional data rather than self-reported claims. Each installer’s score is calculated through a weighted system that considers multiple aspects of professional development and real-world experience.
Rather than relying on a single factor, the VTI measures skill through a combination of verified inputs that reflect both education, skill, and time in the trade.
Core Factors in the VTI
- Training Completed training programs demonstrate continued education and skill development. Training completed through the Training Hub or verified partner organizations contributes directly to an installer’s VTI.
- Certifications Industry certifications carry additional weight within the VTI because they represent formal recognition of skill and technical knowledge.
- Professional Experience Years of professional installation experience are considered as part of the score, recognizing time spent developing expertise in the field. Years of experience are verified by our team and only years that can be verified can be attributed to the rating.
- Skill Assessments Where applicable, performance-based assessments help validate hands-on knowledge and technical capability.
Important Note
Training and certifications carry greater weight than years of experience alone. The goal of the VTI is not simply to reward time in the trade, but to recognize professionals who actively invest in developing and validating their skills.
Transparency For Installers
Installers can view their full VTI score and track how their professional development contributes to their progress within the index.
Companies and homeowners see an installer’s verified level and professional standing, allowing them to hire with confidence while maintaining the integrity of the scoring system.
Why The VTI Matters
For Installers
The VTI gives skilled installers the professional recognition their experience deserves.
Benefits include:
- Verified professional credibility
- A public record of training and experience
- Increased visibility for work opportunities
- Clear pathways for skill development
For Companies
Companies can make more confident hiring decisions based on verified installer data rather than guesswork.
Benefits include:
- Transparent skill verification
- Reduced hiring risk
- Improved installation quality
- More informed workforce decisions
For the Industry
The VTI establishes a long-needed professional standard for installer skill.
This helps elevate the trades by:
- Encouraging ongoing education
- Recognizing real craftsmanship
- Improving accountability
- Creating and strengthening industry standards
Powered By The TradeTap Ecosystem
The Verified Trade Index is strengthened by TradeTap’s connected tools and initiatives.
Training Hub
Training and certifications completed through the Training Hub automatically contribute to an installer’s professional record.
Jumpstart
Jumpstart introduces installers into the industry through a structured job board made for the industry, allowing new professionals to begin building their Verified Trade Index and professional credibility from the very start of their careers.
TradeTap Pro
TradeTap Pro enables flooring dealers, retailers, and commercial contractors to hire installers for projects based on verified skill data from the Verified Trade Index, replacing guesswork with transparent professional credentials.
TradeTap Home
Coming 2026, TradeTap Home connects homeowners with VTI-accredited residential installers, giving consumers confidence that the professionals working in their homes have verified training, experience, and industry-recognized credentials.
Build Your Verified
Professional Record
The flooring industry deserves a transparent way to recognize skill and professionalism. The Verified Trade Index brings that standard to life.