servicemagic?

Question

This is a company that give referrals for companies (such as the handyman company I was looking for) and supposedly does background checks (among other things) in order to somehow give the client/customer peace of mind when dealing with these "servicemagic certified" companies.

Has anyone heard of these guys?  Are you really getting a better, more trustworthy contractor?  Or is this all just a bunch of b.s.?

It seems like a good idea, as many people will just pick a contractor out of the phone book/google search without really knowing anything about the company.  How do you know if there are a lot of unsatisfied customers?  How do you check a companies rep?

thanks,
matt

Will Barnard · Answer

I too have used SM and received emidiate responses from several contractors for the specific service I was requesting. This does not by any means negate you from doing your own due diligence on each party, but the service is great and the fact that the public rates each provider gives you some real life insight on the quality of each service provider.

Justin S. · Answer

I've used them as well and had a good experience.  I've hired painters and handymen.  Painters all quoted about the same but one painter really wanted the work and offered to paint the garage for free.  He got the job.  Handyman fixed a big exterior hole.  He quoted me over the phone, did the job, and left me a bill for what he quoted.  He did excellent work.

Joshua Dorkin · Answer

I used them regularly for small jobs and am almost always pleased.  I've had only 1 bad experience . . . one of the bidders on a project was triple the price of everyone else.  I let SM know that they were ripping people off and they were removed from the network.

I'd give it my stamp of approval.

Aly W. · Answer

I used them once for a painting job, and had 3 painters give me quotes. Once you submit a job request, you'll usually get immediate responses from several vendors.

You should still call their references. The painter I chose had great references and did a terrific job.

Matt Batson · Answer

Great, thanks for the info.

I have one of their contractors giving me an estimate now.
I'll go check his ratings

Dave Versch · Answer

Matt,

I've used them several times with reasonable success.  I don't know whether they really do background checks or not, but they do have an on-line rating system where a contractor's previous customers will rate them (1 to 5 stars in a number of categories).  That's usually what I go by.
    The contractor can provide his license info (if applicable for his field) in his profile also.