Finding contractors for your home improvement projects are now easier than ever with the help of websites such as Porch.com.
Similarly, connecting with potential customers and promoting your business is much simpler.
It only makes sense then that most homeowners and contractors are using this platform to its full potential.
If you’re a contractor, you know that one of the most important things is getting your name out there. And what better way can you do that than by signing up for Porch?
But is it worth it? We help answer that question by looking at how the site works, its positive and negative aspects, and how it can benefit homeowners and contractors.
What is Porch.com?
Porch is an online platform that connects homeowners with contractors for home improvement projects by zip code.
Homeowners can use the site to find Pros in their area, read reviews, and get cost estimates for home improvement projects.
Homeowners can also use Porch to schedule appointments, pay for services, and track project progress.
The site offers free service for homeowners, and it does not require membership fees or have any hidden costs.
Homeowners can browse the site without creating an account but will need to create an account to schedule appointments, pay for services, and track project progress.
Porch is owned by Porch Group, which is a vertical software platform focused on home services.
How does Porch.com work?
The site is used by both homeowners and contractors, and it works differently for both.
Let’s start with the homeowners.
As mentioned already, Porch is free for homeowners. You can sign up, but it is not compulsory unless you want to schedule appointments, pay for services, or track project progress.
You can still browse the site without signing up for an account. Once you find a contractor you’re interested in working with, you can view their profile, learn more about them and their services, and read reviews from other homeowners who have hired them.
You can also message the contractor directly through the Porch platform to ask the questions you may have or to request a quotation for their services.
Porch will also provide cost estimates for specific home improvement projects. The cost estimator is based on data from over 80,000 completed projects across the U.S.
To get a cost estimate, homeowners must provide their zip code, project type, and work scope.
Want to sign up? Follow these simple steps:
- Go to porch.com
- Click on the “Sign Up” button
- Enter your name, email address
- Create a password and confirm it
- That’s it! You’re now a member of Porch
If everything looks in order and you’re ready to hire the contractor, you can do so directly through Porch.
Porch will then provide you with all the necessary paperwork and contact information for the contractor so you can start your home improvement project immediately!
Want to leave a review after the project? You can do that, too, on the contractor’s profile page.
- Go to your project page.
- Select your contractor’s name from the Conversation’s list
- Click on “Review” on the right side of your screen.
Porch.com for contractors
If you are a contractor, you can sign up for a free Porch account to start connecting with homeowners in your area who need your services.
To sign up for an account, you must provide your name, email address, and phone number.
There is no membership fee for contractors, but they only pay when they get a lead from a homeowner. However, you can pay $35 per month for additional visibility and enhancement.
Porch uses a pay-per-lead model, which means contractors only pay when they get a lead from a homeowner. The cost of leads varies depending on the project and the contractor’s location.
For example, a lead for a roofing project in New York City will cost more than a lead for a painting project in rural Texas.
The site also offers a subscription service for contractors. For a monthly fee, contractors can get unlimited leads in their area.
The cost of the subscription will also vary depending on the contractor’s location. For example, a contractor in New York City will pay more for the subscription than a contractor in rural Texas.
To sign up:
- Go to porch.com
- Click on “Join Our Pro Network” at the top right side of the screen
- Click “Sign Up”
- Enter your personal details, i.e., name, email address, and phone number
- Create and confirm the password
- Next, fill in your “Company Profile” details
- Set your “Lead Preferences.”
- That’s it! You’re now a member of Porch. Check your inbox for email confirmation.
If you’re ready to start connecting with homeowners in your
What does Porch.com do?
As we have discussed, Porch is a website connecting homeowners with home improvement professionals. Homeowners can search for pros by location, project, or keyword. They can also read reviews and compare prices.
But, besides that, what else does it do?
- It provides homeowners with resources, such as how-to guides, project ideas, and product recommendations. The company also offers a blog with articles on home improvement trends and DIY projects.
- It has a directory of home professionals that homeowners can browse, such as profiles of contractors, plumbers, electricians, painters, and more. Homeowners can contact pros directly through the website.
In summary, Porch provides a one-stop shop for homeowners looking to connect with home improvement professionals.
The website also offers various resources and information for those wanting to tackle projects themselves. Finally, their directory makes it easy to find qualified contractors in your area.
Is Porch worth it?
There is no membership fee for contractors. You only pay when you get a homeowner lead, making Porch an affordable option for small businesses and start-ups.
In addition, the subscription service gives contractors unlimited leads in their area, saving time and money.
Overall, the site is a good option for contractors looking for an affordable and easy way to find new customers.
So, yes, we think it’s worth it!
What are the benefits of using Porch.com?
As a contractor, you may wonder if Porch is a valuable resource for finding new leads and keeping track of your business. While the site does have some drawbacks, overall, it can be a helpful tool for your contracting business.
One of the benefits of using the site is that it provides an easy way for homeowners to find local contractors.
If you have a good reputation on the site, you are more likely to be contacted by homeowners looking for your services.
Another benefit is that it can help you keep track of your business. The site allows you to track the number of leads you receive and the number of projects you complete.
This information can help determine which marketing efforts are working and which need improvement.
However, there are some drawbacks to using Porch as well
A major concern is that the site does not screen contractors before allowing them to create a profile.
This means anyone can sign up and start soliciting business, even if they are not qualified or experienced. So, you may want to do a bit more research on any contractor you are considering hiring.
In addition, the site takes a percentage of the total project cost as a commission. This fee can add up, especially when working on large projects.
Porch can be a helpful resource for contractors, but it is essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it is right for your business.
Where is Porch.com located?
As is already clear, Porch operates online. However, its headquarters is at 411 1st Ave S. Suite 501, Seattle, WA 98104. You can find their contact information on their website. Its services are accessible by residents of the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Is Porch.com legitimate?
If you’re considering using the site, you may be wondering if the company is legitimate.
While there are some mixed reviews, it seems that porch is a reputable and trustworthy company. Besides, many people use it, so it can’t be all that bad, right?
Here are some reasons supporting and opposing the legitimacy of Porch:
Positive:
- The company has been in business for over ten years.
- It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
- It has a Trustpilot score of 4.5/5.
- Customers generally have positive things to say about their experiences with the company.
Negative:
- Since contractors can pay to get their business featured on the site, there is a potential for bias.
- While some contractors have managed to get leads from the site, others complained that it is not worthwhile and that the leads provided were not from the ZIP codes they indicated and paid for.
- The company takes a percentage of the project cost as commission, which can add up, especially for larger projects.
It is essential to note that while there are some complaints about the company, most reviews are positive.
Should I trust reviews on Porch?
Some homeowners may be hesitant to trust the reviews on Porch because anyone can write a review, good or bad. In addition, some contractors may pay to have their business featured on the site, which could bias the rating.
That said, there are some ways to tell if a review is real or fake:
- Look for reviews that are detailed and specific.
- Check to see if the reviewer has other reviews on the site. If they do, that is a good sign that they are real.
- Take your time and read both positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded view of the contractor you are considering hiring.
Overall, it seems that the site is legitimate. However, as with any company, there are always some risks involved.
It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to use the services. If you choose to use the company, read the fine print carefully and understand what you’re signing up for before signing anything.
Porch.com vs. HomeAdvisor
Porch.com and HomeAdvisor are both popular home improvement websites. Both offer a wealth of resources for homeowners looking to improve their homes, but which is better?
Let’s look at some of the critical differences and similarities between Porch and HomeAdvisor. We’ll base our comparison on factors such as the services they provide, the prices, reviews, the guarantee of service, and more.
Year founded
HomeAdvisor is a bit older than Porch. It was founded in 1998 by Rodney Rice and Michael Beaudoin, while Porch was founded in 2013 by Matt Ehrlichman.
Services offered
Porch offers a wide variety of services for homeowners, from connecting them with qualified contractors to helping them find suitable materials. Though Porch is all round as far as the types of services are concerned, it is more popular for specific services.
It focuses majorly on home improvement services, moving companies, mortgage companies, title companies, utility companies, warranty companies, loan officers, home inspectors and other contractors.
HomeAdvisor also offers an expansive list of services, including helping homeowners find qualified contractors, getting project estimates, and providing resources and information.
HomeAdvisor’s focus is a bit different from Porch. It focuses on HVAC contractors, remodelers, painters
One key difference is that HomeAdvisor also offers financing options for homeowners looking to finance their projects.
Pricing
Porch is free to use for homeowners. Contractors don’t pay to access the site but pay for leads between $10 to $30. They also pay a commission on any projects hired through the site.
HomeAdvisor offers a free basic membership, but a paid premium membership is also available. The cost of the premium membership varies depending on the services used.
For example, if you use the financing service, there will be additional fees.
Cost calculator
Want to get a rough estimate of your project costs before even starting to look for a contractor? Both Porch and HomeAdvisor offer cost calculators on their websites. Enter basic information about your project, and you’ll get an estimate of the costs.
Reviews
Porch and HomeAdvisor offer user reviews of the service providers listed on their platforms. These reviews can help choose a reputable and reliable contractor.
However, it’s essential to remember that anyone can leave a review on these platforms, whether they’ve used the service or not. So, take the reviews with a grain of salt and do your research before hiring anyone.
Guarantee of Service
Porch offers a Porch Protection Plan that guarantees you get the services you have paid for.
The plan will protect you if the contractor damages your property or has received a deposit from you but hasn’t delivered any work. Porch will help you sort the issue. They will also provide $1000 for offsetting your loss.
However, this guarantee does not cover work quality issues, material, tools, or property loss.
On the other hand, HomeAdvisor does not offer a money-back guarantee, but they have a HomeAdvisor Happiness Guarantee.
This ensures that you get a qualified contractor, and it’s possible since they carry out screening processes before accepting a contractor. The contractor will redo the job or compensate you if the results are unsatisfactory.
Contractor rating system
Porch has a five-star rating system for contractors. Contractors are rated based on experience, licensing, insurance, and customer reviews.
HomeAdvisor also has a five-star rating system for contractors. However, they go a step further by providing background checks on the contractors. This gives homeowners an extra level of protection and peace of mind.
Both platforms also give different badges for different accreditations and awards that the contractor may have.
Screening of contractors
As we mentioned, HomeAdvisor has a screening process that all contractors must go through before being listed on the site. This screening includes a background check and verification of their insurance and licenses.
Porch does not have a formal screening process for contractors. However, they do require that all service providers be licensed and insured. They also encourage homeowners to check the contractor’s reviews before hiring them.
Customer support
According to most of their loyal customers, both Porch and HomeAdvisor offer award winning customer experience.
They provide customer support to help homeowners with any issues they may have.
You can reach a Porch representative via email, while HomeAdvisor offers customer support via phone or live chat.
So, which platform is better? Porch or HomeAdvisor?
It depends on what you want.
If you need assistance finding a local contractor for a specific job, Porch is an excellent option.
If you’re looking for a more all-inclusive home improvement platform with a wide range of resources and tools, HomeAdvisor is the better choice.
Bottom Line
Like most review websites, Porch.com has good qualities and a few not-so-good ones. Overall, it’s a great platform if you need to find quality local contractors for your home repair and improvement needs.
However, before settling on any service provider, it’s essential to do your research. This includes reading reviews (like this one), checking out the contractor’s website and social media pages, and getting quotes from multiple contractors.
In the end, the best way to find a reputable and reliable contractor is through word of mouth.
Ask your friends, family, and neighbors to recommend contractors they have hired before. Chances are, someone you know has used a great contractor in the past and can put you in touch with them.