Some tasks and projects are simply too big to tackle on your own. If you’re thinking about hiring a professional to help you, Angi Homeservices, formerly Angie’s List, may be a resource worth checking out.
I created an account on Angi and requested a few quotes for a kitchen painting project just to see how the process would go. You can use Angi to connect with professionals in all areas of home improvement including house painting, remodeling, appraising and more.
In this article, I’ll take a close look at what you can find on Angi and how this resource can help you find the right professional for the job.
This article was updated in January 2024 and I review it every six months.
What To Know About Angi Homeservices Before You Sign Up
Whether you need help with plumbing, roofing, house cleaning, pest control or something else entirely, you’ll likely find a professional on Angi who can do the job. In addition to searching for professionals and collecting quotes, you can also read verified reviews, browse available deals in your area and more.
Before you visit the website or download the app, you’ll save time if you read these four things about Angi:
In each section below, you’ll find detailed information about the services Angi offers, what tools you can access for free and how to get started.
1. What Is Angi Homeservices?
Angi, formerly Angie’s List, is a website and app (iOS and Android) owned by Angi Homeservices that allows members to research, hire, rate and review local service providers. You’ll find businesses and professionals specializing in hundreds of categories including interior and exterior home repair, lawn and garden and more.
In addition to hiring professionals, Angi offers online resources including free expert advice in the site’s Solution Center. You can also watch videos to learn more about home improvement and DIY projects. The Pricing Guide is another tool available on the website and in the app. You can use it to see the average costs for particular types of projects.
To use most of the features on Angi, including reading reviews and requesting quotes, you’ll have to create an account, but it’s free!
2. How Much Does Angi Cost?
When you first create an account, you’ll join the free membership plan by default. With this status, you can view nationwide ratings and reviews, access service pros and receive a digital magazine.
The paid membership, called Angi Key, costs $29.99 annually. It includes unlimited access to 20% savings on more than 150 home projects with fixed pricing. There are also other perks and benefits. You can learn more about the Angi Key membership online.
Check out this page in the FAQ section to learn more about membership options, privileges and pricing. Still, a free membership is enough to gain access to ratings, reviews and business information. Usually, that’s all you’ll need to make an informed decision on whom to hire.
While a lot of the company’s resources are free, the professional you’re looking to hire won’t be. Prices for general contracting work and other services vary based on the type, location and details of the job. You can use the Pricing Guide to get a general idea of what to expect, but the best way to get an accurate estimate is by requesting quotes from nearby companies.
3. How Does Angi Work?
Angi works by connecting its members with local companies while providing access to verified reviews and ratings. You can use the service to compare nearby businesses, find discounts, read about other customers’ experiences, request quotes and share your reviews.
If you’re looking to hire help for a home improvement project or service, I’ve found that Angi can be a great resource for finding recommended contractors, freelancers and businesses in your area.
Getting Started
To get started, I visited Angi Homeservices online, but you can also download the mobile app for iOS or Android. You won’t be prompted to create an account as soon as you visit the website or download the app, but I recommend getting it out of the way. I found that creating an account is easy and free, and you’ll have to sign up to see any business information from professionals in your area anyway.
To create an account, click “Sign in.”
Finding a Professional and Requesting Quotes
Once I’d created an account, I discovered two main ways to find a professional using Angi.
- Search by category or project. If you’re gathering quotes or looking for recommended companies, you can search based on your location and the type of service you need. You can type in a category, or you can browse popular categories. After choosing a category, you’ll be asked for some specific information regarding your project. Then you’ll see a list of recommended businesses in your area.
- Browse deals in your area. You can also use Angi to find coupons and deals in your area. You can scroll through featured deals or narrow the results based on popular categories and project types. Note that Angi does make money from company advertisements including coupons, discounts and other promotions. But to advertise, all companies must maintain an overall good rating on the site.
When I visited Angi, I searched by category/project. I typed in the service I was looking for and chose the most appropriate suggestion: “Painting – Interior.” From there, I answered a few questions about the project including the location. Then, I found out that I was eligible for a fixed-price offer.
I was able to view the fixed price, verify the project’s details and continue to set up a time with a recommended professional. Alternatively, you can click “Prefer to negotiate your own price?” to see a list of professionals and begin requesting quotes.
Keep in mind that, to read any reviews or request any quotes, you’ll have to create a free account and log in.
If you see a company that you’d like to learn more about, you can click on its name to read a few highlighted reviews.
Previously, businesses were assigned an overall grade (“A” through “F”) based on customer feedback. Now, you’ll see a rating out of five stars. For service professionals, it’s based on price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.
You may notice that some businesses are Angi Certified. These companies are paying to advertise their services and discounts to members and will appear higher on your search results. They have also met the following standards:
- Maintaining an average rating of three stars or higher
- Remaining in good business standing with Angi
- Passing a biennial criminal background check (owner or relevant manager)
- Attesting that they have the proper licensing to perform listed work
- Maintaining a company-verified profile page
When it comes to customer feedback, Angi prides itself on offering reviews you can trust. The company says it takes several precautions to ensure that reviews are unbiased including no anonymous comments and feedback verification.
Once you’ve found a few companies with good reviews and at least a three-star rating, begin requesting quotes. You can click “Request a Quote” on a company’s profile page to start the process.
I decided to gather a few quotes through Angi to see what the process would look like. I did have to check a box authorizing Angi, its affiliates and their networks of service professionals to deliver marketing calls or texts about my project and other home service offers.
Once I requested the first quote, I was quickly able to request quotes from other recommended businesses that I may be interested in. Then, my information was sent to them all through Angi.
What’s Next?
If you request quotes through Angi, you’ll probably start hearing back from professionals within a day. There are a number of ways that service providers may reach out to contact you.
You may receive a direct phone call from the company, a message via Angi or an online invitation letting you know they’re interested in bidding on your project. Depending on your account settings and preferences, you’ll receive text, email or other notification alerts when someone tries to contact you through Angi.
Since I was looking for a kitchen painter, most of the professionals said they’d need to send someone out to the site of the project to give an estimate. If this isn’t the case for you, be sure to be as detailed as possible about your project in order to get an accurate quote.
For more on how to hire a contractor (or any service provider) be sure to check out these six tips.
4. How To Cancel Angi
If you have a free account, you don’t have to worry about canceling anything through Angi. If you have an Angi Key membership, you can cancel at any time online or over the phone.
To cancel your membership online, log in to your Angi account, visit the “Manage My Account” page and click “Cancel Auto-Renew.” You can also call Angi at (888) 811-2644.
For more information on how to cancel your account, visit the company’s FAQ page.
If you have booked a professional and need to cancel the project, communicate directly with the business/contractor you’ve hired. Disputes are handled directly through Angi if you’re a paying Angie’s List member who has completed the following steps:
- Submitted a report with a grade of C or worse for home, health or auto services that occurred within the past 12 months
- Already made an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the issue on your own
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Angi can be a great resource for anyone looking for a local service provider of any kind. It’s easy to compare credible, local businesses and all of the necessary tools are free to use.
After creating an account and requesting a few quotes through Angi myself, here are the biggest pros and cons I found.
Pros:
- Price. There’s no need to pay for an expensive membership.
- Reliability. You can find credible businesses in your area, read verified reviews and write your own.
- Convenience. The mobile app has all of the key features and is very easy to use.
- Additional resources. You can watch videos, read expert tips and use the Pricing Guide to plan ahead.
Cons:
- Spam mail. You can expect to get emails about related services from Angi and its affiliates.
- Quotes come in different forms. If you request quotes through Angi, you may hear back from the companies in any one of several different ways (messages, texts, emails, calls, etc.).
- Usability. The website can be intimidating/difficult to navigate for new members.
If you’re looking for a contractor or service provider to hire, here’s my advice: Use Angi to find professionals in your area, read reviews and collect business information. Once you’ve decided on a few companies that you’re interested in, look them up and call them directly. That way, you can discuss your project or job and request a quote yourself. This also allows you to keep all of your information in one place as you move on to the next step of the hiring process.
Have you ever hired a professional that you found on Angi? Tell us about your experience in our Clark.com Community.
