While every online service was started for a reason, there are two in particular that have mixed emotions about them. Some people love them for their broad spectrum of knowledge and deep pools of information to pull from. Why some people hate them is because that information or pools of information are either false or misrepresented entirely.
You might stumble across an Angie’s List post or some information on HomeAdvisor on how much things should cost or a “what to expect when hiring…” type segment. At the beginning of your search this information may be super helpful with guiding you through the process. That is usually until you actually go to hire a contractor to perform the services you’re researching. You may find that the posts you read on Angie’s List or Home Advisor state an expected cost for the service you’re inquiring about. But what they fail to tell you is that their information gathered to provide you with those costs is an average number from all 50 states and a multitude of regions within those states where costs of labor and materials are all completely different. For example, the cost to have your furnace replaced in California may not be anywhere close to the same price as it would be if you lived in Wisconsin.
With our business here in Reno, Nevada, we do a lot of flooring and remodeling projects and it can be a challenge sometimes when we are approached by a customer with an article from HomeAdvisor stating that their bathroom remodel should only cost $6000-$16000. Thats a pretty wide range considering there are a lot of variables, which can make it difficult to find all the right materials with a bar set as low as $6000 to start.
The problem this poses is that when a client calls a contractor in their area based off the numbers these services provide they may be expecting a price that is complete different than what is common in their area. This makes it difficult for clients and contractors alike to work with each other because contractors have their pricing that’s needed to stay in business and the clients have a budget that is based off of a potentially unrealistic number.
With all that being said, HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List don’t have malicious intent with the services they provide. It is just up to the homeowners to do their due diligence to ensure that the pricing they are expecting is realistic and within their budget. As a homeowner, when it comes time to hire a contractor for a service, call around and get an idea on pricing so that you can set a reasonable budget to ensure you’re not blindsided or taken advantage of when it comes to making a hiring decision.
If you live in the Reno/Spark/Carson City area. In Northern Nevada and are interested in remodeling your home, kitchen, bathroom, or maybe you’re wanting some new flooring, don’t hesitate to contact Paramount Craftsman Services to set up a consultation to tackle your projects and ensure you’re vision comes to life. Call Paramount Services at 775-238-3332 or email us at info@pcsreno.com