HomeAdvisor is a massive online directory for HVAC technicians, plumbers, repairmen, and other home service professionals.
Whether you want to get more leads for your air conditioning business or want to find someone to fix your broken sink, HomeAdvisor is one of the leading platforms.
Despite that, HomeAdvisor has some serious shortcomings. It can be pretty tricky for contractors, who often end up paying more than what their budgets allow for dead leads that never answer calls or get back to you.
On HomeAdvisor, you have to pay an annual fee plus a fee for every lead.
Contractors also complain of HomeAdvisor using their business name and details for marketing and promoting HomeAdvisor.
Consumers, on the other hand, frequently find that the search results on HomeAdvisor are somewhat limited, making having an alternative directory to use as a backup useful.
Some customers also get annoyed at too many spam emails from HomeAdvisor, as it seems that HomeAdvisor sells your data to multiple contractors.
Fortunately, there are several awesome HomeAdvisor alternatives for both contractors and customers. Let’s get into them.
Best HomeAdvisor Alternatives
1. Thumbtack
Thumbtack has a slightly different business model than HomeAdvisor. Creating a profile on Thumbtack is free, unlike on HomeAdvisor.
You will have to pay for leads, but there are two types of leads you pay for. Not only can customers reach out to you, but you can reach out to them.
The first type of lead is when a customer reaches out to you. After setting up your profile and getting a review, your profile will start showing up in the search results.
You can create a base price, so customers know how much you charge, but you can also charge extra fees for added services.
You get to set your targeting preferences, so you only get seen by customers who fit your client demographics. That way, you will only pay for a lead when a customer who fits your match preferences reaches out to you.
There is another type of lead, which is called “Opportunities.” You can browse Opportunities in your Leads tab.
Opportunities are clients who already reached out to other contractors on the platform, but who fit your target audience. These leads are ranked based on how relevant they are to your services – the higher they are on the list, the better.
Note that while the customer might have already reached out to other contractors, those contractors haven’t necessarily responded, so they may still hear from you first.
You can browse the customer’s details to see if you are a good match for them. Then, you can send a quote.
The good part about these leads is you won’t pay just for sending a quote. Since you are reaching out to them, and they have already reached out to a contractor, Thumbtack will only charge you if the customer responds.
Since you only pay for a lead if a customer responds, you can send as many quotes as you want and still manage to keep your costs low compared to when using HomeAdvisor. However, just because a lead responds doesn’t mean they will end up hiring you, so only send quotes to leads that actually need your services.
Explore the best alternatives to Thumbtack in this post.
2. Angi
HomeAdvisor and Angi, formerly Angie’s List, have merged to become one company. Back in 2017, HomeAdvisor purchased Angie’s List, but there are still some crucial differences between the two platforms.
For example, while HomeAdvisor charges a hefty annual fee to contractors in addition to charging them per lead, Angi doesn’t. On Angi, you can get listed for free.
Nevertheless, you’ll still have to pay for visibility on Angi. It works a bit different from on HomeAdvisor – it’s more like Google PPC ads – so the exact amount you will pay per lead can vary.
Overall, Angi can be a bit cheaper for contractors due to the lack of an annual fee.
For consumers, there might not be that much of a difference. Angi Key members can get exclusive discounts of 20% on home services, but after the merger, that applies to HomeAdvisor members as well.
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3. Houzz
Houzz Pro has a very different business model than HomeAdvisor. It charges you a monthly fee, but it doesn’t charge you per lead.
As such, for most contractors, Houzz Pro ends up being a lot cheaper than HomeAdvisor in the long run. In addition, there are flexible pricing options, with cheap plans starting as low as $65/month for contractors who aren’t ready to commit to the more expensive plans (see the pricing page for updated pricing information).
All plans, including the cheapest one, include features such as:
- Send proposals and estimates
- Send invoices
- Track time worked
Many contractors like working with Houzz because it allows them to collaborate with customers using the 2D/3D floor planner, which lets you map out the work you will do for customers. You can show them in 3D where you will put the cabinets and how the place will look once done.
You can also create “Mood Boards,” which is a visualization tool that allows you to showcase your visions and ideas. Using Mood Boards, you can upload product pictures, rearrange them, and use layers to impress leads.
Furthermore, you can set up a cost catalog and choose from over 12,000 items, products and types of labor. That way, leads can see your pricing upfront.
4. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is one of the best alternatives to HomeAdvisor if you’re a solo contractor or someone who just wants to make extra money during your free time. You can help people with furniture assembly or moving houses, or you can do some shopping or other errands.
You don’t need to be a contractor to work on TaskRabbit. As long as you have a skill or are just willing to do some extra work in your free time, you can earn on TaskRabbit (there are over 50 categories available), making it better than HomeAdvisor if you just want to earn money cleaning or doing simple tasks.
Workers set their own rates and choose when they work. TaskRabbit offers complete flexibility.
As a homeowner, TaskRabbit lets you connect with “Taskers.” You can read their profiles, check their reviews, and see their rates before hiring them.
Check out similar platforms to TaskRabbit here.
5. Handy
Handy is an online directory and marketplace for home repair professionals and house cleaning services. As a consumer, you can use Handy to find a handyman, get someone to help you mount a TV on your wall, find someone to assemble your furniture, and more.
For those kinds of small and quick tasks, Handy is a lot more useful than HomeAdvisor. Not only that, but you can even order furniture on Handy, including beds, sofas, tables, chandeliers, and more!
When you order furniture on Handy, the assembly service is automatically included.
For professionals: Handy is better suited for standalone contractors, housekeepers, handymen, etc. HomeAdvisor is better suited for larger contractors with staff.
One thing you might not like about Handy is that rates are preset based on the type of job and location. However, that can also be a blessing in disguise, as you don’t have to lower your rates to compete with others.
Handy also doesn’t charge hefty annual fees or for each lead like HomeAdvisor does.
However, it does charge professionals all kinds of penalty fees, such as late arrival fees, late cancellation fees (canceling less than 48 hours before the appointment), no-show fees, early departure fees, and more. If you get to your appointments on time and stick to your agreements, though, you can avoid those fees.
Find out which is the better platform between Handy vs TaskRabbit.
6. Craigslist
Craigslist has been the internet’s leading classified advertisement website since 1996. In fact, it was launched a year earlier, in 1995, but as an email list service.
Of course, Craigslist has had its ups and downs. It had to shut down its adult category, and it has faced criticism for allowing dog breeders to advertise.
However, Craigslist is still widely used, despite it not dropping its outdated design, which it has kept for years. It is the 25th most visited website in the United States, according to SimilarWeb, and the 87th most visited website in the world.
Unlike HomeAdvisor, Craigslist is 100% free. It never charges either contractors or consumers to use the platform.
Furthermore, you can post as often as you like and in as many areas or zip codes as you’d like. You can also post all kinds of services, as Craigslist has a wide range of categories that go beyond traditional home services.
Since Craigslist is free and has a small staff with limited moderation capabilities, you do have to be cautious when using Craigslist.
As a contractor, make sure the customer is legit. Write and sign a contract.
As a customer, make sure the contractor is legit. Ask to see their website, Google/Facebook/Yelp profile, or testimonials.
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7. Yelp
Yelp, unlike HomeAdvisor, is free for businesses. You can create a profile, add your contact details, and collect reviews.
You will never have to pay for leads or for customers to contact you. Customers can contact you directly, using the information in your profile, or via direct message.
According to Yelp, more than 90 million people visit it each month, and 97% of people make a purchase after visiting Yelp.
However, you can still pay to get more leads with Yelp Ads. Instead of paying per lead like on HomeAdvisor, though, you instead pay per click.
Typically, the pay-per-click model means you will pay a smaller amount per click than you would pay per lead. At the same time, not all clicks will turn into leads, and not all of those leads will turn into sales.
To ensure you don’t overspend, you can set an ad budget. For example, you can set your budget to $5/day.
Your Yelp profile may also show up in the Google search engine results when people search for local businesses.
As a customer, Yelp is a great platform for finding home service professionals, stores, restaurants, and all kinds of businesses. You can find contact details, send direct messages, browse photos, and read reviews.
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8. 1800Remodel
1800Remodel is a unique company that connects homeowners across the nation with pre-qualified and vetted contractors.
As a homeowner, start by submitting a job request.
Then, 1800Remodel will connect you with three qualified contractors, who will bid on your job. You can choose the bid that attracts you most, based on factors such as price and the contractor’s details.
As a homeowner, 1800Remodel is entirely free to use, and you won’t have to worry about working with unqualified contractors, as they all go through a vetting process.
As a contractor, you can apply to join the network of contractors. Two plans are available, depending on the type of lead you want to pay for.
Signing up as a contractor on 1800Remodel means that you will get access to quality leads. If you are tired of dealing with dead leads on HomeAdvisor, check out 1800Remodel.
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9. CraftJack
A great alternative to HomeAdvisor for contractors tired of paying annual membership fees and paying for leads that lead to a dead end is CraftJack. CraftJack has $0 membershifees – itit’s entirely free to sign up and create a profile.
While you will have to pay for leads, there are discount options available for contractors who want to buy lots of leads.
Customers submit home improvement requests on the website, and CraftJack forwards them to you as leads.
CraftJack calls each customer using an automated system to ensure the phone number is legit and the lead is worth following up on before passing them to you.
Not only that, but if a bad lead somehow slipped through the cracks, you can even request a refund for the credit you used for the lead.
One thing I like about CraftJack is that it doesn’t send a lead to more than four contractors. That gives contractors a better chance to be the one who wins the lead.
You’ll get text or email notifications when leads come in, and you’ll be able to contact leads easily. There’s only one phone number you need to save; each lead will have a four-digit pin that you type in after calling your unique number to connect to the lead.
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10. Porch
Porch.com helps consumers connect with professionals for garage door repair, pressure washing, siding, window installation, heating, cooling, moving, and other home services.
For homeowners, Porch offers a smooth and seamless experience. Start by selecting a project – you’ll see estimated prices upfront.
Create a job request, so contractors can contact you via email, text message, or phone. Some contractors have opted in to allow you to contact them first – you can review a contractor’s profile, verify their credentials, and read reviews.
As a professional, Porch allows you to set up a profile and get email, text, or phone leads. You can buy leads one at a time or sign up for a monthly plan that gives you a certain number of monthly leads – or you can do both at the same time.
You can even join the Porch Vetted Network. It costs around the same as the annual HomeAdvisor membership, but it’s an optional membership that will give you extra perks instead of being a requirement.
Being vetted allows you to increase trust by getting a special badge on your profile. You will get 5% back in lead credits when you purchase leads on demand, and you will get lead credit refunds if you meet the outreach requirements but still don’t connect with the lead.
As such, using Porch and joining the Vetted Network helps solve the problem of dead leads that you pay for but never connect with, which isn’t that uncommon when using HomeAdvisor.
11. Homeflock
Homeflock is an excellent contractor directory for plumbers, electricians, general contractors, handymen, landscaping companies, and many more. It’s quite different from HomeAdvisor, as contractors don’t pay to be listed on the platform.
Instead, Homeflock gathered data from state and federal licensing agencies and other public records to make the most comprehensive online directory of contractors possible. As such, if you’re becoming frustrated with the small number of contractors on HomeAdvisor, Homeflock could be a good alternative.
Homeflock allows customers to write reviews about contractors they have previously hired, and it also includes information about previous permits and jobs that the contractor has done.
Each contractor will have a profile, which will include their basic information, contact details, services offered, and license number. When information is available, Homeflock also includes details from previous jobs, including:
- Job address
- Permit type (plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
- Client name
- Job description (decking, duct system work, etc.)
- Permit number
You can search by category and then discover contractors for your state and city.
Overall, Homeflock is a much more comprehensive directory than HomeAdvisor. At the same time, some profiles don’t contain a lot of information, and it seems like more people need to start using Homeflock before it picks up steam – right now, many contractors still don’t have reviews from customers.
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12. TalkLocal
TalkLocal is a great alternative to HomeAdvisor for both contractors and homeowners. Here’s how it works.
Homeowners start by submitting a job request. Select the type of job you want, add details, and pick a date and time that works for you.
TalkLocal will connect you with up to three contractors who are a good fit for your job, based on their previous reviews and experience.
As a contractor, TalkLocal gives you more control over your spending. First of all, there are no long-term contracts or commitments; you only pay for customers you speak to, without any yearly fees.
TalkLocal will connect customers to you via a phone call, email, or text. You will pay for leads, but before deciding whether to accept a job request and connect with a customer, you can review the job description (including the type of job, location, date, etc.) to determine whether it’s worth paying for.
Not only that, but you only pay for leads when you have a real conversation with them! If you’re frustrated with paying HomeAdvisor for dead leads, TalkLocal could be the solution you were looking for.
TalkLocal’s “Pay Per Conversation” model means you won’t have to waste money on leads that don’t pan out. Of course, not every conversation will lead to a sale, but you still won’t have to pay for a lead that never responds.
The likelihood of customers being connected to you depends on factors such as how much you are willing to bid on a conversation, your reviews, and more.
One great thing about TalkLocal is that it only connects customers with up to three contractors. That gives you a much better chance of landing a job, as you only have two other companies to compete with.
13. LawnStarter
For lawn service professionals, LawnStarter is one of the best alternatives to HomeAdvisor. Some contractors complain about paying for leads who need services that they don’t offer, so joining a niche site like LawnStarter can help you avoid that.
You’ll be able to browse and accept jobs on the platform and get paid through LawnStarter. Payments are handled through the platform, and LawnStarter will pay you via Stripe once a week, making collecting payments hassle-free.
Also, unlike HomeAdvisor and many other companies, LawnStarter doesn’t charge any recurring yearly fee, nor does it require you to pay for leads. Think of LawnStarter as Airbnb or Uber for lawn service professionals – there are no fees for you to use the platform.
So, how does LawnStarter make money? It’s pretty simple, really – they charge customers a slightly higher price than what they pay you.
It won’t matter, though, as the price LawnStarter shows you in the app is the price you will earn.
There Aae some basic requirements to get started, such as:
- Have the necessary equipment (a lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, and truck/SUV)
- Be authorized to work in the United States
- Pass a background check.
For homeowners, LawnStarter is an excellent place to find lawn service professionals. All of the professionals on the site are fully vetted.
In addition, they are all required to have valid liability insurance, so you won’t have to worry about damage. The minimum rating for a LawnStarter professional is 4.75/5, guaranteeing quality of service, and the average years of experience is 12.
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Wrapping It Up: What Is the Best Alternative to HomeAdvisor?
The best alternative to HomeAdvisor for both customers and contractors is Thumbtack.
Thumbtack allows consumers to browse contractors offering a variety of services, even before signing up. You can view the contractor’s details, pricing, reviews, and more.
For contractors, Thumbtack can be an excellent way to set up a free profile and get leads that matter. You can use the Opportunities tab to pick and choose which leads to contact and pay for, giving you more flexibility.
Besides, as a smaller business, Thumbtack allows you to enter the market with less competition from larger contractor firms.
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