Angie's List
 

Has anyone used it? Was it worth the price? What did you think overall?

^^^I've never used it, but she's interviewed on the news all the time around here.

I had no idea there was a charge to use it. I've always wondered how she made money.

For the contractor-type services only, it's $29/year. You also have the option of paying monthly, but if you do that there's a $10 activation fee. :mad:

If contractor-type is what you are in need of, then ask a real estate agent for a recommendation. Real estate agents keep those types of workers in business, and they almost always do an excellent job to ensure that the referrals keep coming.

Plus, the real estate agent (if you have one who is a friend, or one who has done/will do business with you in the past/future) will give you the honest impression for free.

I feel like you can get opinions on local businesses (including contractors) by word of mouth for free. I wouldn't waste money on the service, unless you're in a brand new area where you don't know anyone.

We bought for our business, just to check to see what people were saying. We've never really used it, though I certainly should. I need a good plaster ASAP, if anyone local knows someone good yet inexpensive!

I used this site for free when I needed my porch steps fixed. A few contractors contacted me from it.

http://www.needcontractor.com/

The other one I've used is apparently only in the Detroit area so that's not helpful for you, 33girl, but it's hireitdone.com There may be something similar in your area.

Ask a realtor. Also, Yelp is quickly amassing reviews for those types of businesses (at least in my area) and is free, frankly they will put Angie's List out of business in a couple years at this rate.

Kudzu.com has been really useful for my husband and me.

I already have one of those. This is cosmetic stuff that has nothing to do with it.

Interestingly, we just bought a year subscription, because we had a leak in the roof, and couldn't decide who to use.

The guy we found on there came today and gave me an estimate - and because we found him on Angie's List, he's going to cut us a 5% discount - which turns out to the same basic price we paid for our subscription.

The fact is, we live in a house built in 1930, and so repairs are more the rule than the exception - we'll try it for a year and see what we think. But I was incredibly impressed with the guy they sent. Followed safety precautions, was nice to my dog, thorough in his estimate and the explanation, took pictures, showed up on time...

Most of our friends are as new here as we are, and not a great many are homeowners, so the word of mouth isn't always an option.

Considering that once the people the home warranty company has sent have on occasion had to come back and redo things, umm no. And yes, I told them that they need to get better contractors in the area. The HWA is in Minnesota, so obviously they don't know from here. Their service and follow up is top notch though, so I'd rather help them than dump them.

But at any rate...as I said, this is purely cosmetic stuff. My home warranty isn't going to cover it.

Well since Angie is an AOII and the company is headquartered here in Indy- I say use it!

But seriously, for one-off stuff it might not be worth it, but if you have allot of things that need to be repaired, it can be. I use it to find people when my parents need work done on their home. Since I live in another state and they are both in their upper 70s, I want to make sure they aren't getting scammed.