Angie’s List…the Facts

AngiesList : More than 500,000 consumers in more than 120 cities across the country turn to Angie’s List to get the real scoop on local services. Literally thousands of consumers each day share their ratings and reviews on the local contractors and companies they hire. Angies List was Founded by Angie Hicks in Columbus, OH, in 1995, Angie’s List takes the “ask-your-neighbor” approach to a higher level, putting reliable, unbiased information on local companies at the fingertips of consumers in major cities across the country.

Here’s how AngiesList it works:

·         Get the real scoop. Each month Angies List receives nearly 15,000 reviews on local companies from consumers across the U.S. In their reviews, members describe their project and the work done. They also tell whether they’d hire the company again, and grade the company – A, B, C, D or F, just like a report card – in six areas: overall experience, price, quality of work, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.

·         The best part is in the details. What makes Angie’s List unique is that not only can members find out which companies were rated highest by other consumers, they also get the detailed comments and reviews. They’ll quickly find out things like whether the contractor cleaned up after themselves, how much the job cost and how they handled the inevitable change orders that often come with home improvement.

·         It’s consumer driven and reliable. Companies can’t put themselves on the list, nor can they pay to be put on the list. With more than 15,000 reviews coming in every month from Angie’s List members, consumers can get the most current information available on a company.

·         And there’s more. Angie’s List membership comes with unlimited access to the list and a subscription to our magazine, which includes stories, tips and information on home and consumer topics. Members also have access to the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.

·         A leader in data integrity. Because Angie’s List relies on its members’ experiences, reviews can’t be submitted anonymously. This holds the consumers accountable for the reports and makes the list trustworthy. Additionally, members can only report on a specific company once every six months, ensuring no one can “stack the deck” in favor of or against a company. Since there are always two sides to every story, companies can respond to reviews, helping make sure that members get all the information they need to make a hiring decision. Finally, all reviews submitted by members go through a team of Angie’s List staff who look for any irregularities or red flags.

·         Recognized nationally. For three years in a row – 2002, 2003, and 2004 – Angie’s List was placed among the Inc. 500 by Inc. magazine, a list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the nation.  U.S. News and World Report recently named Angie’s List one of “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2007.”

Membership:        More than 500,000 consumers in more than 120 cities across the U.S.

Angie Hicks – “The Angie”

About AngiesList :

Knowing that the frustrations she and her friends had finding good contractors were not unique, in 1995, Angie Hicks literally set out door-to-door in Columbus, OH, recruiting members and collecting reports from friends and neighbors. Taking the “ask-your-neighbor” approach to a higher level, Angie used the detailed feedback from members as the basis for providing up-to-date, reliable, unbiased ratings and reviews on local services.

Angie after the first year, with more than 1,000 members throughout Columbus, Angie had laid the foundation for what would become one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. Over these last 12 years, she has led the list’s expansion from a 100 square foot office to an operation that now covers more than 120 major cities across the U.S., serves more than 500,000 consumers and was placed for three years in a row – 2002, 2003 and 2004 – among the Inc. 500 by Inc. magazine, a list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the nation. All the while, Angie’s keen sense of business and common sense have helped Angie’s List remain a locally-focused service that members say they wouldn’t live without. Over the years, consumers have come to trust Angie to help make the hiring process easier, as well as raise the level of service they can expect from local companies and contractors.

A working mother herself, Angie has ensured Angie’s List continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing, dynamic needs of today’s families and homeowners. She knows that Angie’s List members are challenged each day to fit work, family and at-home time into already busy schedules. With this in mind, Angie’s List puts reliable information and resources at the fingertips of its members, so they can access it anytime they need help finding a good contractor or service company – whether it’s for a major home renovation, an emergency car repair, or even find a clown for their kid’s birthday party.

With more consumers across the U.S. turning to Angie’s List each day, Angie regularly contributes to national and local consumer news stories across the country, including for CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Redbook, Real Simple, USA Weekend, Parade magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

Angie holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw University, in Greencastle, IN.

Angie’s List (www.Angieslist.com) Tips: Home Inspections

Angie’s List poll revealed almost two-thirds of AngiesList members have been involved in a home inspection within the last two years. Sixty-eight percent found their inspector through their real estate agent. The cost of an inspection depends on a number of factors including the size of the house, its age, and other services such as septic and radon testing. Nearly three out of five Angie’s List members say they spent over $300 for a home inspection.

A home inspection is an important step in the home buying process. According to a recent nationwide poll of Angie’s List members, 30 percent said their home inspector’s oversights ended up becoming a major expense down the road. Some of the costly mistakes included mold, asbestos, termites, leaking roofs, even rats on one member’s property!

Home inspections are typically the “last look” a buyer will get before making what will be their largest single investment. That’s why it’s important to take the time to find a qualified, experienced professional who is going to do a comprehensive inspection that you can rely on.

Drawing on the real-life experiences and feedback from its more than 500,000 members in 124 cities across the U.S., AngiesList has put together its own list to help consumers:

Angie’s List Tips:

• Always do your homework: Angie’s List can provide you with experiences other members have had with local home inspectors. Check your home inspector’s credentials. Ask to see proof of state certification or proof of membership in either the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) www.nahi.org or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org Keep in mind that the home inspector industry is not regulated in some states, so proof of professional membership may be your best indication of an inspector’s qualifications.

• Check their experience: Both NAHI and ASHI require a minimum of 250 inspections, however most experienced professionals will say it’s better to find someone who’s performed at least 1,000 inspections and has at least three-to-five years of full-time experience.

• Are they insured? Do they have general liability and errors and omission (E&O) insurance? Ask to see physical proof of coverage before you commit.

• Get involved: While it’s not required that you attend the inspection, it’s a good idea that you’re there to ask the inspector any questions about areas that need repair. Typically, a home inspection takes about two to four hours.

• Know what an inspector should be looking for. This includes structural problems; roof damage; fire hazards, such as improperly vented chimney flues; electrical safety issues, including old wiring; and problems with plumbing and major appliances, like the HVAC system and hot water heater.

• Ask to see the home inspection report: Many inspectors provide the report the same day as the inspection. The report should be thorough and easy to understand. If the inspector notices problems with the house, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it – you’ll know in advance what to expect and the seller may agree to fix those repairs.

• Home inspections aren’t just necessary for old homes: Newer homes can have just as many problems as an older home. And, if you are building a home, inspections at key points during construction should be a part of the process.

• Check www.angieslist.com for reviews and ratings of Home Inspectors in your area..
For more Angie’s List tips check out www.angieslist.com and click on the Tips tab on the top of the page.