Service Magic?

Question

Has anyone used this service to get estimates for handyman miscellaneous work, and is it legit? thanks

Joshua D. · Answer

I've had success with ServiceMagic, but have also seen some crazy bids through their vendors as well.  Like anything else, do your due diligence on the service provider and get multiple bids before you hire anyone.

Jeffrey K. · Answer

Angies list is okay.  These services a for homeowners.  The best way to find a guy is to ask the subs you already trust.  If they are good they have worked on jobs with other guys who are good.

J Scott · Answer

The only contractor I've ever had to take to court I found on Service Magic.  Not saying that SM was to blame (I didn't do enough due diligence), but even after I won a judgment against the contractor, SM refused to remove him from their database.

This says to me that they care more about their bottom line than they do about their reputation...

Rob Gillespie · Answer

LOL! We owned a high end remodeling company, and have used similar services. They really do not screen their trades men that well, they just look for criminal stuff. As a handyman, all you really need to do is pay for the lead. I am not saying it is bad, but you will have just as good of luck with craigs list.

Gregory Childs · Answer

Yes, it's a good service. I used them a lot when I lived in CO and found the vendors to be legitimate - especially as their ability to get future work depends on your rating of them.

TTFN,
Greg

Jason Miller · Answer

Only used them once to dry out a basement after a water leak.  They were professional and worked around my tenants schedule.  That said, I have only been able to use them once.  Generally I have found their quotes to be much higher than the competition.

George P. · Answer

Keep in mind that Service Magic collects referral fees for your inquiry - they don't care if these guys qualify, they care about selling the lead to a maximum 4 providers (more providers means more revenue for them).
I used them once when the roof was leaking after the heavy snow. I spoke to all 4 on the phone. One was a franchised handyman who was charging $120/hr, he was going to start charging me the moment he showed up. According to him, he didn't need to estimate the damage and find a cause of it. The rest of the bidders were similar. I had to pass and went with the referral of a fellow investor.

Mark Forest · Answer

What about Angie's List?

Mike G. · Answer

I used them to find people for a couple of jobs, and it seemed okay.  Now, though, I frequently get called by contractors looking for work, so I'm thinking Service Magic shares their database of people.

Bienes Raices · Answer

Sounds like a lot of mixed experiences with them...

Service Magic?

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