"Those of you who are considering using HomeAdvisor need to BEWARE. HomeAdvisor claims to be "free", however, they are being paid by the companies/individuals which are receiving the leads provided by HomeAdvisor. Therefore, HomeAdvisor is pumping out leads (as many as 5-10 per inquiry), with no incentive to maintain an actual database of truly professional contractors. They claim to only use contractors that have been verified (Licensed/Background Check, Etc.). This is not true.... they will take anyone who will pay them for the lead. Therefore, they may be sending an inexperienced contractor, or criminal to your home.
I am a contractor who signed up with HomeAdvisor several years ago, as a "safety net", in case the calls slowed down. One of the worst business decisions I have ever made. For the short time I used HomeAdvisor, I was getting duplicate leads, and leads for services I do not provide, and it cost me a fortune.
Their background check consist of the person/company completing a short questionnaire. No verification or true background check is performed. They also do not require contractor's to be licensed, especially in states where licensing of contractor's is somewhat vague or ambiguous.
HomeAdvisor preys on both the homeowners who are too lazy to do the proper legwork to get their projects completed (just like their commercial), and the "so called" contractors who try to build an instant business, without putting in the time and effort to become a true "professional contractor". So are those free contractor "hook-ups" really free? ....think about it.
I would advise any homeowner to do your homework yourself (referrals, BBB, local home builders associations, etc.), instead of depending on HomeAdvisor. Your home is probably your biggest asset, so why would you let a company who has no vested interest in your property, select from their limited, mostly low quality contractors, for your projects.
Most true professional contractors do not require lead generators to acquire business. I have been a roofing contractor for over 15 years. In the beginning, I would have used a lead generator such as HomeAdvisor, to get business. But I built my business from the ground up, and no longer require any advertising to maintain my business. Almost all my customers are referrals, or past customers. "
"David was professional always on time and listen but we explained our problem and gave us several solutions to that"
"The staff was very helpful. My stove has never been so clean and the work put into the windows of my home was amazing I will definitely be using them again "
"I attempted to use Home Advisor to find a moving company for a move across New York State. No one bothered to call me. When I phoned them back, I was told that their movers would not even give me an estimate because we "weren't moving far enough." The move is well over 200 miles.
I wasted three days waiting for them to contact me, only to be told they didn't call because they didn't want my business.
I won't waste my time with Home Advisor again."
"BMZ, Brett came out and was wonderful to work with. He was on time and very professional. BMZ in Knightdale NC"
"Did a wonderful job. Deck Pro Isaac Wallace."
"MY NAME IS PHIL OWNER OF PHIL'S MECHANICAL HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING. I SIGN UP WITH HOMEADVISOR NOT EVEN A MONTH I GOT BILL $2,600 FROM HOMEADVISOR . I DID NOT GET ANY JOB THE LEADS THEY SEND TO ME, I CALLED THE REP. THAT PUT ME IN THIS MESS NEVER ANSWER OR RETURN MY PHONE CALLED , I CLOSED THE ACCOUNT IN A WEEK I GOT A NOTICE FROM COLLECTION CONPANY THAT I NEED TO PAY $3,500.
(WHAT FIVE STARS RIP-OFF, HOMEADVISOR OWNERS & EMPLOYEES GO TO HELL )"
"As a pro, this is a waste of money. I spent well over $500 in the first month with no return. I'm just not in the business of cold calling. Most of the leads (even opportunity leads) didn't want to be contacted or know why they were being contacted. Every time I attempted to cancel, homeadvisor would offer more free leads that were still terrible. Don't waste your money, especially if you're a small business on a marketing budget, its not worth it! Save your money!"
"I had a $6,000.00 budget for landscaping improvements on a very flat piece of property. Many calls and had to limit how many came to house. No one calls back with estimates. Most barely speak English. "
"Needed three small trees removed. Two guys showed up. Neither could speak more than two words of english. They wanted 2300 dollars to remove the small trees. I sent them packing, went to Lowes, bought a chain saw and cut the trees down myself. Stop allowing illegals to advertise on your site. You are aiding and abetting which is against immigration law. I wont use your site again !"
"I had spoken with several contractors & plumbers in the past regarding my remodeled bathroom project."
"I found a great contractor on Home Advisor, Mr. Luis Moreno of E&L HARDWOOD FLOORING. Mr. Moreno, replaced my hardwood flooring after a flood in our home. 862 Sq ft of flooring. Wife's happy,
happy life!!! Yes I will use this contractor in the future..."
"I used Home Advisor for a roof inspection and I got, in my opinion, not the greatest referrals, and I was told that the contractor's have to pay Home Advisor $45.00 for each referral they receive. And the only way for a contractor to be on Home Advisor is to pay them for it. I think this company is a rip off. "
"Matics Roofing of Manassas VA did an absolutely fantastic job. They arrived at the work site to do as assessment the same day I contacted them. Provided roof pictures of the damage, provided a very reasonable price and did the job two days later. They stayed in touch did exactly what they said they would do and showed up when they said they would. Absolute outstanding performance."
"Home advisor sent capital city appliance to our home to repair our ice maker. Repairman said he would find a new ice maker for us and he would call me. Never happened. Won’t return calls. Terrible service. "