As a handyman and writer of this blog, I’m always on the lookout for new ways of getting customers. More specifically, I’m always looking for low maintenance ways of getting customers.
Personally, I don’t like to spend a lot of time marketing my handyman business. Instead, I like to put in focused effort on the 20% of marketing methods that generate 80% of my new leads. This allows me to make a full time living as a handyman while only working 3 days a week.
A few weeks ago while shopping for supplies at a local Lowe’s, I saw an ad at the end of the isle (as shown in the image to the right) and was instantly intrigued. Lowe’s now had it’s own directory for recommending professionals.
Just as Home Depot has done with RedBeacon, Lowe’s was now working on a way to connect their customers with qualified home service pros.
I don’t know about where you live, but a lot of people in my city shop a Lowe’s. But more importantly, a lot of non-contractor’s shop at Lowe’s.
This could be a game changer for many handymen.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2020: Porch has evolved over time and some of it’s features have changed since I wrote this post back in 2014. While I still believe it has potential, I can’t necessarily recommend it like I used to. As always, make a decision to try it based on your unique situation and if it doesn’t get results, stop using it.
What is Porch?
Essentially, Porch is a lead generation company. Just like Angie’s List, Thumbtack, Home Advisor, Yelp, and hundreds of others, Porch was created to connect homeowners with professionals.
On the site, customers can type in the service they are looking for to see a list of local professionals. They can then browse through the list, take a look at previous jobs completed, and evaluate other customer reviews. Pretty common structure when it comes to an online directory.
Creating a listing for your business is free. And, just like other directories, you have the ability to pay for a premium listing.
Porch may seem like just another directory, but it’s not. Here’s why…
Why I Like Porch
#1 – Get recommended in store.
Porch is doing something very unique with it’s directory. Not only can homeowners access the site from home, but Lowe’s employee’s will use the site to recommend service providers to shoppers in store. From what I was told by Porch, certain Lowe’s employees will have iPads on hand that they can use to guide customers through finding a service provider.
That means you have the ability to be recommended by a Lowe’s employee directly! I don’t know if it gets much better than that for building instant trust.
#2 – They’re Innovative
Not only is Porch partnering with Lowe’s, but they’re also partnering with Realtor.com – a website dedicated to helping people find a home.
How this works is really interesting. Realtor.com will be using the jobs tracked on porch to create a history of each property. This history will include maintenance, upgrades, and other information.
For example, if a homeowner used porch to find a contractor to do a kitchen remodel and then tracked the job on Porch.com, that history would be attached to the home profile on Realtor.com. When a somebody else purchases that home in the future, they can see a complete list of maintenance and home improvements, including what contractor or handyman did the work.
So, even if your customer moves, you still have the opportunity to retain the business for that specific house. Or, other homeowners in that neighborhood could see what contractor’s their neighbor used. Smart.
#3 – Transparency
Unlike HomeAdvisor (who has created quite a bit of controversy in the industry), they aren’t sending you the leads and forcing you to race and compete for the business. Porch is simply recommending you and allowing the customers to call you if they choose.
So instead of chasing down fake leads and tire-kickers, you will only receive leads that are serious enough to pick up the phone and call you.
#4 – Accessible to Anyone
Unlike Angie’s List (not a fan), Porch is free for anybody to access. This gives it a much wider user base instead of only allowing you to reach customers who have paid to see “the list.”
#5 – It’s Customizable
With with a premium listing on Porch.com, you have the ability to focus on very specific areas and services. Only work in one zip code? That’s where you’ll get your leads from. Only want to advertise certain services? They’ve got you covered there, too.
I like this because it allows you to build your customer base in a very small and specific area, allowing you to stay busy without having spend all day driving to and from jobs.
Low Hanging Fruit For Handymen
It all sounds good in theory, but does it deliver results?
When I first saw that Porch had partnered with Lowe’s, I immediately knew this would be a big deal in the lead generation industry. So, I created a (free) profile. I then looked at my current competition on the site and saw that there was almost no competition. Sure, there were a lot of professionals listed in their directory, but only a few had complete profiles.
I was able to stand out in a major way by simply uploading some pictures. My profile stood out like a full page color ad in the white pages of the phone book.
Within a day or two of creating my profile, I was already receiving leads! In a single day I got 4 leads just from Porch.com The best part was I had instant credibility because I was recommended by a Lowe’s employee! I was amazed.
Will this last? Will I continue to get high quality leads with almost no effort for free? Probably not. Eventually, more professionals will figure it out and create a decent profile. And soon, there will be handymen paying for the opportunity to be recommended by Lowe’s employee directly.
For me, I’ve decided not to pay to be a go-to handyman in my area because my website generates more than enough leads by itself. But, if I was looking to grow, you bet your ass I’d be paying for at least one zip code.
What are you waiting for? Click Here and setup your profile today! (I’m not affiliated with Porch.com BTW. Just thought it could help you.)
Thanks for the heads-up Dan. I shop for my supplies at mainly lowe’s if I can help it the poeple there are very helpful. I’m excited to learn that lowe’s is doing this and I will definitely be using porch.com to get some leads. And hearing about your experience with home adviser I’m not sure if I will be going to use that as I was advised by a friend who I believe now had little experience with it. Thanks again for your very useful information and insights.
Your welcome, Ryan. And remember, the key to standing out is to have a complete profile with pictures and projects listed. Reviews will come naturally if you do a good job and those help a lot, too.
Ha this is great timing! I just saw the ad recently as well and thought it was something I need to look into but just haven’t yet. Thanks for the extra info and sharing, it’s now on my high priority list!
This is great!I just started my own handyman’s service and had a lot of unanswered questions until now.I think it’s great that your doing this to help the new comers get started.
Thanks Dan,
I read this post a day after it came up, and made a profile around mid-night and added some pictures. The next day my local Lowe’s called to see if I would be interested in being one of their on call/in store local handymen (they were looking for 4). At the time, I had too much work lined up to accept. I was shocked at how quickly I got that call.
Ya, they’re on it over there!
Signed up for porch less than a month ago. I am paying for one zip code. I have had more leads than I can keep up with. Thanks for the review. I don’t like throwing money at marketing without knowing that its working for someone.
Thanks for the advice Dan! I’ve tried the VERY expensive misleading, Thumbtack, and Home Advisor which can be pretty pricey as well. It’s refreshing to FINALLY find a site that will generate FREE leads to a professional instead of empty promises.
I have a cleaning service and I am ALWAYS looking for new customers. Thank you so very much and wish you nothing but continued success in your business!
Thanks again!
Your Welcome. Happy to hear that so many have had success with Porch.
I do have a Porch listing that I spent quite a bit of time building. I did join their Lowes partner ship for a couple of months at $180 a month and got no leads. I have had a few from porch but nothing earth shattering. I recently had the opportunity to gain some inside info on the Lowes partnership and found that it is a bit misleading. There are end cap advertisements up in Lowes for Porch but the Lowes staff are making little to no effort to push it. Lowes has its own install program for most things. Fans, windows, doors, hot water heaters etc… and the store managers and staff have goals they have to meet. Porch unfortunately, is in direct competition with Lowes existing install services. Short story is they don’t push it much. Free porch listing is okay but i dont see the value in paying to be a Lowes partner.
Thanks for sharing that Aaron. Always glad to get multiple perspectives on here to help people make the best choice for them. I also think it was good practice that you at least tested it out, found that you weren’t getting a good ROI, and moved on.
Great article thank you for the information. Did Porch.com already have a profile set up for you on their site that you claimed, or did you create it from scratch?
Andrew, I created it from scratch.
You didn’t post my last negative review of porch.com. Are they throwing you shekels to screen contractor’s opinions? Embarrassing Dan… Truly BS.
No, I am not affiliated with Porch outside of listing my handyman business with them. I get nothing for writing about them.
I don’t remember your comment and it may have been deleted by my anti-spam plugin. Or, if it was inappropriate or wasn’t clear then I may have deleted it.
If you’d like to leave a review of your experience then I’d be happy to have it on this site. Please just keep it as objective as possible, though, as I do want this to be a resource for people to make good decisions with their businesses.
I recently paid $350 a month for 2 months with porch and did not receive 1 single lead from them. I spent hours on my profile adding tons of high quality photos. They have a new policy that a customer reviewing your company must verify their review with their facebook profile, I find this absolutely ridiculous as not everyone has facebook. I would not recommend them, I threw $700 away with Porch for not 1 single lead!
I always recommend to have reviews on a platform before paying for exposure. Did you have any reviews?
Don’t use porch.com it is a scam. I also spent $300 and no leads and still have $270 with them that they will not refund. Been 6 months no leads. Stay away from them.
Here’s what I don’t understand is why contractors do not read and understand the terms of service. For instance, did you know that Porch.com owns any and all data that you submit That they can make money from your pictures, reviews and and information you submit with out ever having to pay you a dime. And it is forever. They can sell it, license it, change it…they can do what ever they want to it and never have to give credit where credit is do. Here is the section from their TOS:
“License to User Submissions. With respect to both User Submissions and Pro Data, you grant Porch a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sub-licenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, publish, broadcast, publicly perform, make, use, import, offer to sell, sell, and otherwise transfer and exploit all copyrights, inventions, and other intellectual property rights in the User Submissions and Pro Data in all media. We will not pay you or otherwise compensate you for User Submissions or Pro Data.”
Worst part about it is it’s not reciprocated. Any information they give you cannot be used by you for any reason for anything. Here is the excerpt from their TOS:
“Information Regarding Users. Porch may provide you with personal information relating to individuals that are seeking products or services from you. You may not rent, sell or otherwise provide this information to others. You may not use, or attempt to use, this information in a manner that would violate these Terms or for any purpose not explicitly intended by Porch.”
If all of that were not bad enough, they have collected the information on every contractor they can find and are using that information, without permission, in their website to generate revenue. While they say its to provide consumers with as much information as possible. Anyone searching for my company could be led to Porch.com and because I haven’t paid porch to be a porch contractor, they will be directed to my competition.
I have requested that my company information be removed from their site several weeks ago and it is still being used today. This company isn’t about helping the contractor or consumer but exploiting the small guy to make big money. It’s shameful that anyone would recommend them.
Thanks for sharing, Rob. I appreciate your feedback on this and I’m glad you brought it to my attention as well as my readers. It’s always good to read the terms of service before signing up for anything. And honestly, I don’t see these terms as that big of a deal. It just sounds like they are protecting themselves in an environment where everyone is lawsuit happy.
@Rob,
All contractor referral sites “own” the pictures you upload, especially Yelp. At least you have the choice to sign up or not (unlike Yelp).
And I don’t see the issue with not being able to use the information they give you. It was given to you…what would you want to do with it???
For a referral site this is a great option so long as it pays off. You simply get a referred call and you can do what you want with it, no need to pay a commission for a job that never came through.
Also, though I would want , my listing taken down asap, I am not sure what the problem is if they keep your listing up. What is the worst that could happen? You get a call for a job?
I like the work u did with putting up a door to my home.The door look nice.
This is another app that has more promise than reality, don’t bother. If you live outside a major city they just have some other referral service out of chicago call you with no sense about contracting they are just a phone room
Hey thanks for this info! I also somehow got contacted by Porch (Nov 2016). They look like they have something so I started to look around. I have read several articles on Porch by contractors and most were negative. I really like your spin better and being someone that built his own site, there is value to at least a porch.com profile. I also noticed what you did… There are lots of profiles and only a few guaranteed pros. Most of the profiles are poor at best. Will completing my profile move me up in the list of generic listings? Have you tried there guaranteed service and if so what were your results? Hey thanks for this info, I’m in Denver and there must be 100 services trying to take leads and sell them.
It appears that Porch is taking business’ information that have or even have not signed up with them, posting it as if they are listed with them, and redirecting the customers’ lead to others when they attempt to contact or request a quote from what they believe is your business listed with Porch…
http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/porch-com-they-use-your-business-name-redirect-your-calls-151763/
Thank you for your article Dan. I decided to test the online directory services with Porch after reading this article. I particularly was attracted to the notion of sorting through the recommended pros then contact the one I choose, as opposed to all of them making an offer.
went to lowe’s all we needed was four cement steps torn down and rebuilt.was put in touch with a company that was sent to my phone through Porch.com and went with them ,trusting we made a good choice and called and verified this with Porch.com and was told their checked in advance.Well needless to say worse experience ever and the so called support will not help.They called and I explained the contractor did a bad job ,which he blamed on his employees and he never came back until i called and requested he take a second look at the steps which were not level.Never again will i use Porch.com and i’m closing my Lowe;s account ,put my faith in them just to be very disappointed.Lowe’s and Porch needs to be aware of whom they recommend to consumers.Support team for Porch said for days they would make things right ,yet support team said the opposite,lesson learned.
I sing up with porch about a year ago got a couple jobs from it, they finely talked me into signing up to their monthly program, They got my money and now all I’ve had was problem with just getting thing worked out, My contact ( Keith) had no problem getting my money and after that it was like pulling teeth just trying to talk to him, this is the most unprofessional sites I’ve ever worked for, And I’m still waiting to talk to Keith.
I would never refer this site to anyone.
Don’t know if the guy I hired can repair a fence.
So far it’s been pretty iffy.
I use porch to get some extra work they sent me a bunch of leads that went nowhere some of the leads told me do not call me some of the phone numbers were disconnected I ask for my money back and they practically laughed in my face I can only hope that somebody will read this review and not use porch.com ever again I plan on going to the Better Business Bureau to complain they are nothing but scam artists
Porch is a scam. They make money off chargeable leads that rarely materialize. Don’t waste your time and money. They don’t let the customer know they are charging the contractor for the lead. Stay away…..
Wish I could give zero stars, I never leave reviews but trying to save someone else from making my same mistake. PLEASE NEVER EVER CONTRACT THIS AWFUL COMPANY!!!!!!!! I set up an appointment one month ahead of time. I confirmed with them multiple times for a swingset installation. Talked with them twice the morning of the appointment, was told we were all set with no delays, and they were a NO SHOW!!! They didn’t even call to let us know. ALFONSO the manager wouldn’t call us back. Spent all day trying to get in touch with someone. They repeatedly tried to avoid our calls and didn’t attempt to reschedule. They claimed they couldn’t find anyone to do the job even though they sent me an email confirmation the day before the appointment. I drove to another state for this installation. This company is so unprofessional. Unfortunate for Lowe’s that they are partners. Worst experience ever. Please save yourself the headache.
Zero stars all the way! Scheduled my appointment, received confirmation of date and time, but contractor was a NO CALL NO SHOW! I called customer service and they said they would reach out to the project manager, who would then call me back. NO CALL BACK! Two and a half days after my original appointment and not a word. Word of advice for Porch.com: if you can’t make an appointment, then call your customer to reschedule. And if you say you’ll get back to them the same day, then actually call them back. It’s customer service 101. I’ll never attempt to use you again.
I am a professional and receive 4-5 Porch leads a day and 95% of them are junk with little if any description and a complete waste of time. I called them to have them stop the email leads and after calling them twice I still get their leads. The leads cost up to $50 per lead and most of the leads are consumers that are want something yesterday because they failed to pull a permit or consumers that still believe there are desperate professionals out there that wouldn’t eat their next meal unless they underbid their project. I have actually paid for a lead and met with the person and he did not own the land that he wanted to build on but was thinking of ‘maybe someday’ purchasing the land and wanted to ‘dream’ of what could be placed on the property – keep dreaming pal and stop wasting other peoples time!
Contractors Beware:
When leads are basically pre-qualified by Lowes, or home owners are using the service and don’t have to pay anything, it makes it easy to get good comments for Porch. But for contractors using Porch directly for general business not through Lowes, it’s terrible.
Since their reputation was not good in the past, we wanted to try them out first before conducting larger lead generation work with them. We set-up on their PayGo where you pay by the lead.
Several HVAC leads were purchased and none of them were any good. In fact we were the only contractor who purchased these leads except one lead had one other contractor who also purchased the lead. Porch has a way to show if other contractors have bought the lead as well.
We contacted the supposed customer numerous times and would not hear anything back or when we heard back, the customer said they did not submit the lead or did not realize they submitted a lead.
They are not providing valid leads and charging for them. Then they make it a pain to get credited back, possibly hoping you will get tired of waiting and let them keep your money that they didn’t legitimately earn.
By the way, customer service is terrible. They regularly said they will take care of things by a certain date and never came through, requiring follow-ups, tracking and extra work and aggravation for our company.
Don’t waste your time. I wish the government did a better job of investigating these type of companies. From what I have heard, read, and experienced, Porch for contractors seems like it should be investigated by the government for unethical and potentially fraudulent activities.
Porch is a scam! What a rip-off! Don’t do it. I got set up paid the money and they said if there was any problems they would make it right. They haven’t made it right! I keep getting a run around with no results. Avoid Porch at all costs.
Unprofessional. Schedule my job. Set the time, the price and day two weeks ago. On last Friday I was sent an email sorry we couldn’t find any one do you need anything else? WHAT????
Then on the day before the original schedule date I get another censor stating this is a reminder we will be there tomorrow. In my mind I moved on last week they cancelled
Then on that same night , the Porch contractor Called he didn’t know exactly what he was doing but knew nothing about them cancelling me!!!!
Do they talk to each other ? There is no process.
I fear they give you one price In the phone then it changes when they get there. The contractor didn’t know what they were charging me? I didn’t know he didn’t and I mentioned.it. And said just cancelled it as you already did. He agreed it was all messed up.
I would not refer nor use them again!
I will give PORCH a try after reading this.
I will come back in few months to leave you another comment.
Something to know about Porch is that it recommends contractors with criminal behavior. It provides contractor a free website that they manage. They fabricate 5 stars review and delete the bad ones. Look at American Premier on Yelp vs Porch. People should know about this