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    How to Use ShelterScore

    Step-by-step guides for every feature on the platform. Whether you're a homeowner searching for the right building or a vendor growing your business — start here.

    11 User Guides11 Vendor Guides
    For Homeowners & Buyers

    User How-To Guides

    Everything you need to find vendors, request quotes, leave reviews, and manage your account on ShelterScore.

    User Guide3 min

    How to Search for Vendors

    Find trusted building vendors near you using the dual-field search on the homepage. Type what you're looking for in the "Find" field and enter your ZIP code, city, or state in the "Near" field.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the homepage and locate the Find/Near search bar
    2Enter a category in "Find" (e.g., Carport, Steel Garage)
    3Enter your location in "Near" — any US ZIP code, city name, or state
    4Click Search to see matching vendors in your area
    5Browse results sorted by ShelterScore certification and Featured status
    User Guide2 min

    How to Browse Vendors by State

    Explore building vendors organized by state. Each state page shows Featured vendors at the top followed by Free-tier vendors, making it easy to find local businesses.

    Step-by-Step

    1Click "Vendors by Location" in the navigation bar
    2Select "Vendors by State" from the dropdown
    3Click on your state to view all vendors serving that area
    4Featured vendors appear at the top with premium placement
    5Click any vendor card to view their full profile, products, and reviews
    User Guide2 min

    How to Browse by Building Category

    Search for specific types of buildings including carports, garages, barns, workshops, and more. Each category page shows all vendors offering that category.

    Step-by-Step

    1Click "Buildings & Carports" in the navigation bar
    2Select "Building Categories" from the dropdown
    3Browse categories like Carports, Garages, Custom Buildings, and more
    4Click a category to see all vendors that offer that category
    5View vendor counts per category to see available options
    User Guide2 min

    How to Find Vendors by City

    Discover vendors serving your specific city or county. Browse the location directory to find dealers and manufacturers operating near you.

    Step-by-Step

    1Click "Vendors by Location" in the navigation bar
    2Select "Vendors by State" from the dropdown to see all states
    3Click on your state to see the list of cities
    4Browse the city directory and click your city
    5View all vendors serving that city with Featured vendors listed first
    User Guide3 min

    How to Read a ShelterScore

    Every certified vendor on the platform receives a ShelterScore rating. This score reflects their verified credentials, business history, customer satisfaction, and compliance with industry standards.

    Step-by-Step

    1Look for the ShelterScore badge on any vendor card or profile
    2Higher scores indicate stronger verified credentials and track record
    3Visit the "How We Calculate ShelterScore" page for the full scoring breakdown
    4Certified vendors display a green "Premier Verified" badge
    5Use scores to compare vendors and make more informed decisions
    User Guide3 min

    How to Request a Quote

    Submit a quote request directly to any vendor on the platform. Provide your project details and building specifications, and vendors will respond with pricing.

    Step-by-Step

    1Navigate to a vendor's profile page by clicking their card
    2Click the "Request Quote" button on their profile
    3Fill in your project details — category, size, and location
    4Add any special requirements or customization notes
    5Submit the form and track your request from your User Dashboard
    User Guide4 min

    How to Use Vendor Profiles

    Each vendor has a detailed profile page with multiple tabs. View their overview, product catalog, photo gallery, customer reviews, and AI-generated review summary to evaluate them thoroughly.

    Step-by-Step

    1Click any vendor card to open their full profile page
    2Browse tabs: Overview, Products, Gallery, Reviews, and more
    3Read the AI Review Summary for a quick snapshot of customer feedback
    4Check their product listings with photos and specifications
    5View their gallery of completed building projects
    User Guide2 min

    How to Save Favorite Vendors

    Save vendors you're interested in to your favorites list for easy access later. Manage your saved list from the User Dashboard.

    Step-by-Step

    1Find a vendor you like through search or browsing
    2Click the heart/save icon on their vendor card or profile
    3Access your saved vendors from the User Dashboard
    4Go to the "Saved Vendors" tab to see your full list
    5Click "I'm Interested" directly from your saved vendors list
    User Guide4 min

    How to Use Your User Dashboard

    Your personal dashboard gives you a complete overview of all your activity on the platform — inquiries, saved vendors, complaints, notifications, and account settings.

    Step-by-Step

    1Log in with your user account and click "Dashboard" in the menu
    2View the Overview tab for a summary of your activity
    3Check "Building Inquiries" to track your quote requests
    4Visit "Saved Vendors" to manage your favorites
    5Use "Notifications" to stay updated and "Preferences" to manage your account
    User Guide4 min

    How to File a Complaint

    If you've had a problem with a vendor, you can file a formal complaint through the platform. Attach supporting files and documents, and track the resolution progress from your dashboard.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to "Reviews & Complaints" in the navigation bar
    2Click "File a Complaint" and select the vendor
    3Describe the issue in detail with dates and specifics
    4Upload supporting documents or photos as evidence
    5Track your complaint status from the Complaints tab in your dashboard
    User Guide3 min

    How to Leave a Vendor Review

    Share your experience by leaving a review for a vendor you've worked with. Your reviews help other buyers make informed decisions and earn vendors their ShelterScore ratings.

    Step-by-Step

    1Navigate to the vendor's profile page
    2Click on the "Reviews" tab
    3Click "Write a Review" and rate your experience
    4Add a detailed written review about the quality, service, and value
    5Submit — your review will be published after approval
    For Dealers & Manufacturers

    Vendor How-To Guides

    Set up your business, manage leads, advertise your services, get certified, and grow your presence on ShelterScore.

    Vendor Guide5 min

    How to Register as a Vendor

    Register your building dealership or manufacturing company on ShelterScore. Choose between Dealer and Manufacturer registration, then select the Free or Featured plan.

    Step-by-Step

    1Click "Register Your Business" in the navigation bar
    2Select your business type: Dealer or Manufacturer
    3Fill in your company details — name, location, ZIP code, contact info
    4Choose your plan: Free ($0) or Featured ($399/mo)
    5Complete registration and log in to your Vendor Dashboard
    Vendor Guide6 min

    How to Set Up Your Vendor Profile

    Create a professional profile that attracts customers. Add your company description, upload your logo, manage your product catalog, and showcase completed projects in your gallery.

    Step-by-Step

    1Log in and go to your Vendor Dashboard
    2Click the "Settings" tab to update your company info and description
    3Go to "Buildings & Carports" tab to add your product listings
    4Upload product photos, specifications, and pricing for each listing
    5Add completed project photos to your gallery to showcase your work
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to Manage Your Product Listings

    Add, edit, and organize your building products. Each listing can include photos, specifications, pricing, and a detailed description that helps customers find exactly what they need.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Buildings & Carports" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2Click "Add Product" to create a new listing
    3Enter the product name, category, description, and price
    4Upload high-quality photos of the building or carport
    5Save and your product appears on your profile and in search results
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to Manage Leads & Inquiries

    Stay on top of incoming quote requests from potential customers. View, respond to, and track all inquiries through the Customer Management tab in your dashboard.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Customer Management" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2View new quote requests as they come in
    3Click on any inquiry to see the customer's project details
    4Respond promptly to maximize your conversion rate
    5Track lead status and follow up on pending inquiries
    Vendor Guide5 min

    How to Manage Billing & Plans

    Understand the Free and Featured plans and manage your subscription. Featured vendors pay $399/mo flat rate. Upgrade, downgrade, or request refunds from the Billing tab.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Billing" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2View your current plan status and subscription details
    3To upgrade to Featured, click the upgrade option and complete Stripe checkout
    4State-based pricing applies: High demand states are 1.5x, lower demand states are 0.75x
    5Use the "Request a Refund" form to submit a refund request with your invoice ID
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to Advertise in Specific States

    Featured vendors can purchase advertising in additional states beyond their home state. Your listing will appear on those state pages with premium placement above free vendors.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Billing" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2Find the "State Advertising" section
    3Select the states where you want to advertise
    4Pricing varies by state demand — High (1.5x), Medium-high (1.25x), Standard (1.0x), Lower (0.75x)
    5Complete checkout through Stripe and your listing goes live immediately
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to Use City & County Radius Ads

    Target customers near your physical location with radius-based advertising. Choose 20, 50, or 100 miles from your ZIP code. Preview which cities and counties are covered before you purchase.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Billing" tab and find "City & County Advertising"
    2Select your radius: pricing is calculated based on state demand coverage
    3Click "Preview Coverage" to see all cities and counties included
    4Expand the city and county lists to review the full coverage area
    5Click "Purchase" to complete checkout — your ad activates for 30 days
    Vendor Guide6 min

    How to Get ShelterScore Certified

    Earn the ShelterScore certification badge by completing the 5-step verification process. Certified vendors receive higher visibility, increased trust, and a Premier Verified badge on their profile.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "My ShelterScore" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2Review the 5-step certification timeline and requirements
    3Gather your business documentation, licenses, and credentials
    4Submit your certification application with all required materials
    5Track your application progress as it moves through review stages
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to Manage Reviews & Reputation

    Monitor customer reviews from your dashboard. The platform automatically generates AI-powered review summaries that appear on your vendor card, giving potential customers a quick overview of your reputation.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Reviews" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2View all customer reviews — both approved and pending
    3AI Review Summaries are generated automatically from your approved reviews
    4The summary appears on your vendor card with a sparkle indicator
    5Respond professionally to both positive and negative feedback
    Vendor Guide4 min

    How to View Reports & Analytics

    Access performance reports from the Reports tab in your Vendor Dashboard. Track your profile views, leads, and overall business performance on the platform.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Reports" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2View key metrics like profile views, quote requests, and lead conversions
    3Download reports in PDF, Excel, or CSV format
    4Use insights to optimize your profile and advertising spend
    5Track trends over time to measure your growth on the platform
    Vendor Guide3 min

    How to Request a Refund

    If you need a refund for a previous payment, you can submit a refund request directly from your Vendor Dashboard. Provide your invoice ID and the reason, and the admin team will review it.

    Step-by-Step

    1Go to the "Billing" tab in your Vendor Dashboard
    2Scroll down to the "Request a Refund" section
    3Enter your Stripe Invoice ID from your payment confirmation
    4Describe the reason for your refund request
    5Submit and track the status — admin will approve or provide feedback

    Still Have Questions?

    Our support team is here to help. Browse the FAQ, read our building guides, or contact us directly for personalized assistance.

    Need Additional Support?

    Our customer service team is here to assist with reviews, complaints, and resolution.

    Customer Service

    Monday - Friday, 8AM - 6PM CT

    +1 (743) 209-4969

    Email Support

    We aim to respond within 24 hours

    support@shelterscore.com

    Complaint Resolution

    Escalated case handling

    support@shelterscore.com