Homeadvisor and Angies list

Quick & cheap by an unknown contractor - .. it's how I want my critical retaining walls done. .. duh. How does someone agree on plan & price .. without showing up ? ! .. double duh. John T.

I think both of these sites make their money from paid contractor sponsors. Big jobs I had done in last couple of years, deck and roof, had neither of the contractors I used on these lists. Maybe not bad sites to look at to get an idea of cost, etc. of a job but not good to find the people to do it.

I trust friends, neighbors, co-workers for ideas. It worked for me in the past.

You made it farther than I. I contacted 4 different contractors for estimates and none ever showed. Worthless site.

That is what I do. I even include our adult sons. The last plumber I used was recommended by one.

My deck recommendations came from friends and relatives. Of the 4 estimates the highest was from the one that advertises heavily. Full page ad in the paper might cost a thousand dollars. He must recoup it in the price for the deck. Would be interesting to know what these online sites charge.

A few years ago I used Home Advisor for a roof.

Within a few hours I was contacted by 4 companies. We set up time and dates and all 4 showed up at their appointed time. I had quotes from about $ 8500 to $ 15,000. I went with one that was the 2 nd lowest as it seemed to have better quality materials and longer warrenty than the lowest priced one.

Their work crew came out on time and did a very good job. I noticed on the package of shingles they recommended 3,4,or 5 nails depending on the slope of the roof. They used 5 nails per shingle .

I had tha same company put up new gutters at the same time. The gutter crew came out and were on time and did a good job.

While I have had poor results getting Lowes to deliver apliances, their contractors have been on time for two new floors and a sink.