A rating is not an attestation
Two vendors can both show 4.8 stars. One has current insurance, a clean stormwater record, and documented on-time performance. The other has none of that on file. The star average cannot tell them apart. This is the distinction WashAttest was built to make visible.
Published by WashAttest · 2026-10-28
Three different claims
Sourced rating, verified review, attestation
These three terms get used interchangeably in most directories. WashAttest keeps them separate because they are backed by different amounts of evidence, and a buyer awarding recurring commercial work needs to know which one they are actually looking at.
- Sourced rating
- A star average quoted from a third-party profile, with its source and the date it was read. Nothing about the vendor was checked. It can change tomorrow and often reflects a handful of one-off jobs, not recurring commercial work.
- Verified review
- A review tied to a named operator role, such as facility or fleet manager, and a record of how many jobs that reviewer has bought. The reviewer is credible. The vendor's documents are still unchecked.
- Attestation
- All four records in the WashAttest Standard checked against source documents and published with a date. This is the only level that carries the WashAttest name.
What a star average hides
Four things a rating cannot tell you
Whether insurance is current
A great review from eighteen months ago says nothing about whether the general liability policy on file today is active or lapsed.
Whether the on-time rate held up
A handful of five-star reviews can coexist with a trailing-twelve-month on-time rate well below what a fleet contract requires.
Whether wash water is handled correctly
A rating platform does not ask about stormwater discharge or reclamation. A site with permit requirements needs that answer in writing.
Whether a dispute was ever resolved
A platform can let a vendor dispute or bury a bad review. A WashAttest dispute record stays visible with the claim, the response, and the outcome.
What to ask for instead
Request the compliance file, not just the badge
Before awarding recurring pressure washing or fleet washing work, ask the vendor to send a current certificate of insurance, the stormwater or NPDES status for the site, and their on-time rate over the last twelve months. A vendor with a complete file can produce these without friction. For a side-by-side comparison across several bidders, use the WashAttest comparison tool to line up the same fields for every vendor on your shortlist.
Common questions
FAQ
Can a vendor have a high star rating and still fail compliance?
Yes. A star rating measures customer satisfaction on past jobs. It says nothing about whether general liability or workers’ compensation is current, or whether a stormwater permit is on file.
Is a verified review the same as an attestation?
No. A verified review is attached to a named operator role and a record of how many jobs that reviewer purchased, so the reviewer is credible. The vendor’s compliance file may still be unchecked. An attestation requires all four WashAttest records.
How do I ask a vendor for proof instead of a rating?
Ask for a current certificate of insurance, the expiration date on the business license, and the stormwater or NPDES status in writing. A vendor with a complete compliance file can produce these without delay.