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Tuesday, March 19th
HomeAdvisor has been around since 1999. Interestingly, they are powered by Angi, another company in our list of contractor finding options. Angi wasn't one of our favorites, but HomeAdvisor performs much better. Whether that's due to their management, some differences in their operations, or just differences in how the companies began, it's hard to say. But HomeAdvisor has higher ratings from customers, so we'd choose them over Angi.
3-step process
The process you'll go through with HomeAdvisor is similar to that of their competitors. The first step in getting matched with a pro is to select from one of their project categories or search your own. You'll answer relevant questions about the project to make sure they can meet all the specifications. This includes what you need done, when, and where. Next, you'll be matched with up to 4 pros in your area who are available right away. This is the part we really like about HomeAdvisor: you don't have to sort through too many contractors, but you have a few solid options. Lastly, your service request will go out to the pros you choose and you can communicate with them to get the job done.
Compare pricing
The most important thing about choosing a contractor is making sure you get quality work completed. The next most important is feeling comfortable with the cost. That's why the True Cost Guide from HomeAdvisor will be your best friend. People report the price they paid for their home projects so you can compare rates and get an idea of what you might be spending. You'll see an average national cost and a typical range. Using carpet cleaning as an example, we were able to get more accurate estimates based on square footage, read about how different carpet types might come with different cleaning prices, see the different ways they might clean, and more. The tool is quite comprehensive and will at least give you a basic idea of what to expect going into your project. Then to get an actual bid, you'll have to go through the process to get matched with a pro.
Free, free, free
To use HomeAdvisor is free to customers. You can browse services, use the True Cost Guide, and get estimates at no cost. They make their money from pros who pay to promote their services on the network. This also helps ensure that the people you find through HomeAdvisor are actively licensed and ready to work since they have some skin in the game.
Mixed feedback
As far as reviews and the legitimacy of HomeAdvisor, it's a little tricky. They get an ugly "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is never good. This is mostly due to the number of customer complaints they've had to work through over the years. However, there are far more individual customer reviews, and those are actually quite positive. We found over 22,000 comments from different customers who mostly have great things to say. Some people have been using HomeAdvisor for years without any hiccups, so this is reassuring.
Still ranks high despite the BBB's opinion
Usually we'd give a lower ranking to a company with an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. But in this case, the customer reviews speak louder, so we've still given HomeAdvisor a high score. Chances are good that you'll be able to find several qualified contractors for your next project when you use this platform.
Every homeowner knows that as the years go by, house repairs and projects never end. Not everyone knows how to fix or build everything required to keep a home beautiful and fully functioning. And even if they do, does anyone really have time for all that? Whether it's patching a roof, pouring cement, fixing the plumbing, or bringing a remodel to life, you'll probably "need a guy" to help you out.
Contractors are a great option for home repair and upkeep solutions because you can find one who's an expert in their field and work with them directly to get the job done. You can sidestep big companies that often take longer and charge higher fees. Contractors make their own schedules, have their own equipment, and can work with you on pricing rather than having to charge what a big company might.
Looking online to find a contractor has become very popular in recent years. Scouring the newspapers or looking for yard signs is long a thing of the past. Today there are companies whose sole purpose is to connect homeowners with handymen skilled at all types of crafts. But among these companies there is still a wide variety of features, checks, and services that you should be aware of.
It's important that you're able to build a relationship with your contractor enough that you feel comfortable having them in and around your home. Finding a contractor online allows you to vet your prospective handyman (or woman) by checking their business license, reviews, pricing, previous projects, and more. Using the right platform to find a contractor will give you peace of mind that you're in good hands and will get your job done professionally and efficiently.
There are quite a few companies to help connect you with contractors, so we have provided important information for you to consider when deciding who to go through:
Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best sites to find contractors for hire. We hope this information helps you find the right person to take care of your home projects!
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