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Sources and how we check
Every number and fact on this site comes from a public source we name. Here's the list, how often we check, and what we will not do.
| What | Where it comes from | How fresh |
|---|---|---|
| Storm alerts | FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (public API, no login) | Pulled Oct 27, 2026. Refreshed by tools/fetch_storm.py. |
| Rural pay | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (nonmetropolitan area and national tables) | Pulled 2026-10-27. BLS releases new numbers once a year, in spring. |
| Storm-chaser warning signs | Federal Trade Commission consumer advice | Checked October 2026. |
| Job post rules | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | Checked October 2026. |
| Well and septic guidance | U.S. EPA and CDC | Linked on each trade page. |
| Disaster help programs | FEMA and USDA Farm Service Agency | Program pages linked where we mention them. |
| Soil and conservation | USDA NRCS (Web Soil Survey, EQIP) | Linked on land guides. |
| County map and ZIP lookup | U.S. Census Bureau 2020 county codes, ZIP-to-county file, and 2023 county boundaries | Public domain. |
| County permit guides | Each county's and state's own official websites | Every fact links to the official page it came from. |
| Typical job costs | Published cost guides (Angi, HomeGuide and others) and extension services | Ranges only, each with its source. Always get written quotes. |
| Storm shelter rebates | State emergency management agencies | Each program links to its official page. |
How we check
- We link the exact page each fact came from, so you can check it yourself.
- Pages show the month we last checked them.
- If a source doesn't publish a number, we say "not published." We don't guess.
- Example listings, reviews and job posts in this preview are labeled EXAMPLE.
- Only the Rural Verified badge means we checked a license and insurance. A paid plan never does.
What we will not do
- Take a cut of any job. Contractors pay flat monthly fees only.
- Sell or share your request with anyone you didn't pick.
- Post fake reviews, fake listings, or made-up numbers.
- Let a paid plan look like "verified."
- Handle insurance claims, act as a public adjuster, or waive deductibles.
- Take money from insurance companies, lenders, or anyone else to send you to them.
- Run criminal background checks or promise money back.
- Cold-call you. We work by email and on the site.
- Send or post anything in your name without your OK.