What Homeowners are Searching for on Porch

Updated May 29, 2015

Here are the top pro types people were searching for in 2014.

Curious to know what everyone is searching for on Porch? In 2014, the most popular search terms for professionals were “painter,” “plumber,” and “handyman.” Not surprisingly, these project types are popular for homeowners. It also shows the trend towards outsourcing these tasks to professionals.

Painters

Although most of us have painted a wall or a room in our home, we also know that certain painting projects require great skill and technique. Painting the exterior of the home, for example, requires skill to scale the roof and ladders while holding a can of paint. So does repairing and painting a ceiling. Homeowners might choose to hire a painter when they realize they don’t have the time to complete the task themselves or aren’t physically able to do it themselves. Painting the home (both interior and exterior) is also a highly popular project to complete just before putting a home on the market or just after purchasing a home. Thinking you want to hire a painter? Read our tips for finding the right pro for your project.

Plumbers

Plumbing issues can wreak havoc on our homes. Slow, hidden leaks can warp floors and create mold. Fast, sudden bursts can flood our homes. Most of our exposed plumbing, like faucets and toilets, can be repaired and fixed without much difficulty. However, hidden pipes within walls can be intimidating and beyond a typical homeowner’s skill set. And if you are doing a major remodeling project that involves new plumbing, using a licensed professional plumber will ensure that the connections are up to code and won’t cause issues later. Be sure you know when to DIIY and when to hire a professional plumber.

Handyman

Sometimes called a journeyman, a handyman can be the person who helps you complete various tasks in and around the house. Having a reliable handyman in your Porch app ensures that the fence repair, TV installation, outlet upgrade or pressure washing gets done. Very often these are tasks we can do ourselves but sometimes we can’t. Lack of time, skill level or physical inability can lead to a long list of to-do’s. Some handymen charge by the hour, others by the project. Before you call, have a good idea of what services you need performed, what materials need to be purchased, and be able to describe your project in detail. Here are some other tips you should read before hiring a handyman.

Most popular searches in the Mid-West Region

Region comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

Most popular searches in the Northeast Region

Region comprised of Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont

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With a background in furniture and antiques, Anne has spent the last several years writing about home improvement and interior design. An avid traveler, she loves to collect pieces that tell a story and in her off hours she can be found hunting for vintage furniture and textiles.