Step 4 of 8
That the business on the letterhead exists, locally and durably
How to check it
The quote names a business; the BBB directory answers whether that exact business — same name, same address, same phone — has a profile, what its rating and accreditation status are, and what complaint history is on file. BBB's search accepts a name, phone number, website, or email, which makes it a useful cross-reference: a quote whose phone number and web domain resolve to a different business name than the letterhead is showing a seam worth asking about.
Where to check: https://www.bbb.org/search
What a pass proves
That the identity on the quote is consistent — one name, one address, one history — and how long that identity has been answering complaints under it.
What it does NOT prove
A BBB profile is a consistency check, not a truth source: a good rating does not prove good roofs, a missing profile does not prove a bad actor, and complaint counts are not adjudications. It proves the shape of the paper trail, not the quality of the work.