The $500 billion home improvement market is one of the long-awaited frontiers for great technology.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that homeowners often choose to renovate their homes over moving when presented with the choice. The most difficult decision is not whether to spend $2,500 or $5,000 on a bathroom remodel. It isn’t the hardest decision to make, but choosing which professionals you want to work with. The wrong specialist could end up costing you more long-term.
The internet has made it much easier for homeowners to search potential employees over the past decade. It’s hard to believe that any feedback you find on the Internet is genuine. Technology is the next step.
A new website is one example. Porch.comThis is how you can build a network of word–of-mouth endorsements through friends and neighbors.
Porch is different from other websites that rely solely on anonymous reviews. It gives homeowners access to information they never had before. This includes the ability to review the work history, find out who has done work on their homes, look at their Facebook friends and see what their project costs. The site allows homeowners to zoom in on professionals and projects and see the details of costs, photos, and pros. It’s like having a 24-7 open house from your computer.
Porch’s founding group has been working to build what it considers to the most complete database on home improvements.
“Until now, a roof repair, kitchen remodel or backyard landscaping project has been frustrating and painful because there is no single source to evaluate projects, understand costs and find professionals based on trusted word-of-mouth recommendations,”Matt Ehrlichman, Chairman and CEO at Porch, comments. “Porch is changing this by organizing home project information and providing transparency to everyone across the country. The purpose? To help inspire project ideas, show what any project costs, and make hiring the right home improvement professional easy.”
The site currently boasts over 1.5 million professionals, as well as insight into more than 90 million home improvement projects. Porch.com provides data on home improvement projects worth more than $2 trillion over the past 15 years. This figure is larger than the whole economy of the United Kingdom. Porch.com, unlike Angie’s List that charges homeowners a monthly subscription, is a free service. Professionals can also join Porch for free, with the option to add business tools for $35 per monthly.
Porch.com is a great place to learn more.
