TECHNICAL · SEO GLOSSARY
Contractor Schema
Schema.org structured data for general contractors and construction businesses — using `GeneralContractor` or more specific subtypes (`Electrician`, `Plumber`, `HVACBusiness`, `RoofingContractor`) within the HomeAndConstructionBusiness hierarchy.
Definition
Schema.org provides a `HomeAndConstructionBusiness` hierarchy for contractors, with multiple specific subtypes: `GeneralContractor`, `Electrician`, `Plumber`, `HVACBusiness`, `RoofingContractor`, `HousePainter`, `Locksmith`. The implementation decision for contractor schema: (1) always use the **most specific type** available — `Electrician` rather than `HomeAndConstructionBusiness` for electrical contractors; `Plumber` rather than `GeneralContractor` for plumbing businesses; the specific type provides greater semantic value; (2) for multi-trade contractors (e.g., "Electrical and Plumbing Services"), either use `@type` as an array `["Electrician", "Plumber"]` for dual-type declaration, or use `GeneralContractor` as the root with `hasOfferCatalog` covering all trades; (3) always include `hasOfferCatalog` listing specific services regardless of which contractor type is used — this provides the semantic depth that `@type` alone cannot achieve; (4) include `memberOf` for all applicable trade body or certification scheme memberships — these are the primary E-E-A-T signals for the contracting market; (5) `areaServed` is critical for all contractors without a walk-in premises — mobile contractors serving a geographic area declare their coverage via `areaServed` with `Place` objects.
Why it matters for SEO
Using the specific schema.org contractor type (vs generic `LocalBusiness`) provides semantic precision that improves Google\'s understanding of the business category, enabling richer local knowledge panel results, better semantic matching for trade-specific queries, and correct business type display in Maps/Search.
How DeepSEOAnalysis checks this
DeepSEOAnalysis validates contractor schema type specificity (flags generic `LocalBusiness` when a specific subtype is available), checks `hasOfferCatalog` completeness, validates `memberOf` certification properties, and confirms server-rendering.
Useful tools and resources
GLOSSARY
Related terms
technical
Electrician Schema
Schema.org `Electrician` structured data type — a LocalBusiness subtype extending HomeAndConstructionBusiness — used by electrical contractors to mark up their business type, services, geographic coverage, certification body membership, and ratings.
Read definition →technical
Heating Schema
Structured data for heating engineers and boiler installation businesses — using `HVACBusiness` schema with Gas Safe registration in `memberOf`, `hasOfferCatalog` for boiler installation and servicing, and `areaServed` for service area coverage.
Read definition →technical
Plumber Schema
The schema.org `Plumber` type — a subtype of `HomeAndConstructionBusiness → LocalBusiness` — used to mark up plumbing and heating business websites, communicating service types, geographic service area, opening hours, and emergency availability to search engines.
Read definition →technical
Home Service SEO
Local SEO strategy for tradespeople and home service businesses — plumbers, electricians, roofers, locksmiths, cleaners — covering service area configuration, Google Local Services Ads, HomeAndConstructionBusiness schema subtypes, and emergency service visibility optimisation.
Read definition →technical
Trade Certification Schema
Schema.org `memberOf` property patterns for declaring trade body and certification scheme memberships in structured data — covering NICEIC, NAPIT, Gas Safe Register, ELECSA, MCS, and other trade authority memberships as Organisation objects.
Read definition →See how your site scores on Contractor Schema.
The free DeepSEOAnalysis audit checks contractor schema and 100+ other signals. Full report, no signup.
Run a free audit →