Where can you find the best contractors online? There's something special about being a homeowner and being able to transform the place you reside into exactly what you want. Remodeling can be magical for those who enjoy changing the look of a space or repurposing it for something different. Other home improvements aren't as much fun as necessary, such as replacing a leaky roof or a toilet. But they all have one thing in common - the need for someone who knows what they're doing.
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With over 3 million professionals listed, Houzz boasts that they provide the best experience to match 100,000 or more homeowners with pros monthly. Started in 2010, the platform serves as a community to help both industry pros and home design enthusiasts.
What makes Houzz different
With AI powered software for professionals to use and countless resources for those seeking to do something new in their home, Houzz provides inspiration, products, and the people to make your home renovation dreams a reality. Browsing the site, you can view professionals in six categories - remodeling, renovation, outdoor, services, appliances and systems, and cleaning services. In home remodeling, you can find the general contractors you seek plus architects, home builders, cabinetry, and more. Electricians and plumbers can be found in appliances and systems, and they even offer contractors like painters, closet designers, and handymen. The company has expanded their offerings since we last reviewed them, offering many services a homeowner may need, including tree removal, installing an appliance, or working on your driveway. It seems Houzz has upped their platform offerings to meet the myriad of needs homeowners have to make their living space work for them.
Their hiring guide can direct you where to begin
We love that Houzz doesn't assume you know what you're doing when looking for help. They offer a hiring guide and project checklist to help you through the planning, pricing, and project completion. Different jobs are explained to help homeowners know the difference between professionals (architects, interior designers, design-build firms, and general contractors), so you can hire those who can do what you need without wasting time. Frequently asked questions about topics including common pricing structures, budgets, and timelines are addressed. You can also browse listings on your own to see finished projects, credentials, and read client reviews. Some profiles mention benefits such as quick response, years in business, online consultation, custom work, and even 3D visualization.
More filter options
Filter listings by pro category, location, project type, style, credentials/awards, budget, business highlights, languages, and rating. Alternatively, they will ask you a few questions and connect you with the pros best suited for your job. Tell them what you need to do, give a general project timeline, and rank price versus quality. Then give your name, email, and project address before you can receive the results. Remember, this is not required to just browse the listings, but it can help you narrow them down if you're overwhelmed with the variety offered. Once you've chosen someone you want to contact, the Houzz website offers an easy way to send the pro a message right on their profile page.
Fancy online home improvement phone book
There is nothing on the Houzz website to tell how professionals are chosen to be in their directory. According to one of their own VPs in a pro tips newsletter, pros "creating a free professional profile on Houzz automatically" are listed in the online directory. They explain that they use an algorithm to connect homeowners with nearby professionals and encourage pros to make their profiles as complete as possible to be considered for searches, noting that paid listings are also permitted. So, while Houzz seems to be great at first, it's just a fancy online phone book of contractors.
Cost calculator is helpful tool
Houzz is free to use to connect you with the professional of your choice. They say that using their platform permits you to hire the right person for your home project with confidence. Also of help is the cost calculator on the website to give you an idea of how much to expect to pay for a project.
Highly-rated app
Houzz has an app which allows users to share images with their friends and pros, make a virtual ideabook, learn about decorating or remodeling, view DIY tutorials, get advice from the community through discussion boards, find pros, and shop for products. It's an added benefit that even earned mention on "Today" as a favorite app and was listed in Time's 50 best iPad apps. Available for both iOS and Android, the app has excellent ratings, and it's free. If this sounds a bit like Pinterest, that's a valid comparison, as the contractor listing platform has been compared to the visual link-saving website, serving as a place to provide lots of inspiration for homeowners.
Ratings for contractor service are limited
Houzz is accredited by the BBB and has received an "A+" rating, despite over 500 complaints in the past three years. Ratings range from 1 star to 4.4 out of 5, with over 17,000 reviews. The Houzz platform also has home products for sale, and that seems to be a point of both many problems and pleasant experiences mentioned by reviewers. However, one person wrote about her poor experience using the platform for finding a home contractor, mentioning communication failures, unexpected financial demands, and unmet expectations in workmanship quality.
Other options provide better results
If you want to browse window treatments and flooring options, Houzz may be the place for you. However, if you want to hire a trusted and vetted professional for your home improvement project, we recommend looking at the top-ranked contractor platforms on our list first.
Continued from above...
There's something special about being a homeowner and being able to transform the place you reside into exactly what you want. Remodeling can be magical for those who enjoy changing the look of a space or repurposing it for something different. Other home improvements aren't as much fun as necessary, such as replacing a leaky roof or a toilet. But they all have one thing in common - the need for someone who knows what they're doing.
Most people who know their DIY limitations seek professionals when a job is too big for them to handle or they lack the skills necessary to complete it properly. At that point, they look for a contractor to do the work. But how do you find someone who is both qualified and trustworthy to do a job?
That's where contractor platforms come in. Whether you're seeking a handyman or a skilled electrician, these online services exist to connect homeowners to professionals, typically for no cost to the homeowner. Looking online for a contractor has replaced scanning newspaper advertisements in recent years. Yet not all referral services are created equal.
Because there are so many platforms promising to match you with the right expert, it helps to understand how they work behind the scenes. Some services simply maintain large directories of professionals and leave most of the vetting to you, while others pre-screen contractors for licensing, insurance, and customer satisfaction. The more you know about a platform's process, the easier it becomes to feel confident that the person you hire will show up, communicate clearly, and finish the project the way you expect.
Homeowners also appreciate the convenience these platforms bring to the early stages of a project. Instead of making dozens of phone calls, you can submit a brief description of the work you need and let contractors reach out to you. Many services even allow you to compare quotes, read verified reviews, and see photos of past jobs in one place. This takes much of the uncertainty out of choosing the right professional and helps you move forward with a project feeling far more prepared.
There are many factors to consider when comparing these services. Here are the top factors to consider when you check out places to find a contractor or other qualified help for work on your home:
At Top Consumer Reviews, we want to help you find the right person to take care of your home projects, so we've reviewed and ranked the best sites to find contractors for hire. Our hope is that this information leads you to the perfect person to complete your home projects so you can sit back and enjoy your living space once again.
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