Home care and maintenance is a lot to manage. From replacing air conditioner filters regularly to cleaning the shower head, the list of tasks can pile up fast. We get that chores aren't exactly what you want to think about with warm-weather get-togethers and vacations are on the horizon. The problem is, that doesn't make housework any less important. That's where the Thumbtack app is designed to swoop in to help.
Personally, I've been meaning to help my parents repaint my childhood bedroom so they can use it as an extra guest room for forever. It's also safe to say I've outgrown my choice of lavender walls with a yellow wallpaper border. But since I live in a different state, coordinating the makeover hasn't been easy. You see, when it comes to their home, my parents are understandably old-school. They prefer to have a face-to-face meeting with the people who are about to work on their space. I decided to try out Thumbtack to see if it could help me and my parents finally tackle the project.
The handymen on the Thumbtack app were definitely up to the task. They scheduled in-person meetings quickly and at no extra cost. On one day, several paint crews stopped by to give my parents quotes and explain the charges. (Thumbtack also lists the average costs of common projects online to help customers avoid getting ripped off.) In the end, the estimates were about the same, so my parents went with the painters who made them feel most comfortable. Despite being a digital platform, I appreciate the personal touch, and it gave me peace of mind to know my parents were happy with the booking process.
Thumbtack also has a rigorous background check to help ensure it works with only the best local professionals. "We check any license that pros add to their page to ensure it’s valid," Thumbtack home expert David Steckel tells House Beautiful. "The app also showcases a variety of stats on the pro, so you can see how many jobs they’ve done, how many years they’ve been in business, how many employees they have, their reviews, and their badges."
Given all this, it's no surprise my parents' paint job went smoothly. My childhood bedroom went from a multicolor pastel mess to a crisp white backdrop for the guest room of their dreams. And I know interior painting is only the beginning of Thumbtack home projects for my family, since the app has a wide range of contractors and specialties.
"Homes don’t come with a manual, and it can be really hard to figure out what you have to do on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis to ensure your house is running as efficiently as possible," Steckel adds. "So I think the entire proactive approach to the home-care aspect of our brand is the most underrated feature. Thumbtack helps remind users what they need to do before they need to do it, depending on the time of year, location, and type of home they have. For instance, is it getting warmer outside? Thumbtack will tell you to get your pool checked, when to plant your gardens, and what projects to tackle for summer. To me, Thumbtack is the homeowner's manual we’ve never had but always needed."
You can even take it one step further with the ThumbtackPlus Membership, which gives you more comprehensive home support. "Thumbtack gives Plus members one-on-one planning support from home specialists, discounts on popular on-demand bookings, and enhanced protection under the ThumbtackPlus Guarantee," according to Steckel.
Personally, my favorite benefit is the 20 percent off discount on certain bookings like house cleaning, gutter upkeep, and more. But there's also the valuable referral program, which allows members to earn and give $50 credit to their referrals.
If there are home improvements you've been meaning to tackle, take a load off and let the Thumbtack pros get things done.
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Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, and more.
