HomeAdvisor Gets a New Look: I Get a New Wood Floor!

Entry #1673, October 3, 2012

Stagetecture has been known for finding great DIY projects, home inspiration, and home resources to beautify your home. I was excited when I was asked to join previously known Service Magic, now newly revamped HomeAdvisor asked me to choose a DIY project of my liking in my home to show how their online service works.

HomeAdvisor Website Features Comprehensive Tools Providing Homeowners with Connections to Pre-Screened Service Providers, Project Cost Guides and 24/7 Emergency Repair Support

“On Oct. 1 – it was announced the launch of HomeAdvisor, formerly ServiceMagic, a newly re-launched website that connects homeowners with pre-screened and customer-rated  service professionals and provides a suite of comprehensive tools, products and resources to help with home improvement, maintenance and repair needs.  Access to all of the site’s features is free, with no membership required.  HGTV Network and DIY Network star Amy Matthews, currently host of DIY Network’s Sweat Equity, is joining HomeAdvisor as the brand’s Home Improvement Expert.

“Unlike other online services that just offer a list, we provide free access to the nation’s largest network of pre-screened professionals across 500 home project categories, as well as robust tools and solutions for home projects,” said Chris Terrill, chief executive officer, HomeAdvisor. “HomeAdvisor provides a unique and needed resource to the more than 75 million homeowners in the U.S., and helps empower them to make informed home repair, maintenance and improvement decisions.”

Get help with your home improvement needs, repairs and more!

HomeAdvisor asks me to show off their new look:

I have been a fan of Service Magic for awhile, so once I learned they changed their name, revamped the website and offers more helpful ways to help homeowners get home improvement projects done, I was excited to help spread the word! So here’s what I’m doing at my home:

HomeAdvisor asked me to choose a project in my home priced at $2,500 or less and use the online process to choose my contractors, learn how much it costs to perform my job, and learn how to screen contractors once they come to my home to give estimates.

I chose to tackle a wood flooring project at my home!

I used the cost estimator to learn how much flooring costs are in Florida on average

My 1987 house is a wonderful house to live in, but the carpet in the family room and foyer has got to go! 🙂 Between having 2 teenagers and a 6 year old daughter, and a cat, let’s just say it’s time for some wood floors. I already have been scoping out beautiful wood floors and I combined my ideas in one area to explain exactly what I like. While I know $2,500 is a great amount, for wood flooring – it will be interesting to see what type I can truly get.

I love darker flooring – so I compiled pictures in one format

My family room – Before pictures

Here are pictures that will show you how I plan to replace the tile in the foyer and extend the wood flooring into my family room – to the fireplace wall.

Standing in my foyer area into family room

I think the wood will look great from the foyer to the fireplace wall

Here’s the carpet we’re replacing…and that ottoman has a story (maybe next week I’ll tell you..)

Looking back to foyer and front door

See those mats around the fireplace floor.. yep my cat hasn’t been good! Time for wood floors.

HomeAdvisor helps me find professionals in my area

I started out the process by filling in information regarding:

• What my project was: Flooring
• Type of flooring: Hardwood or Laminate
• What I want done: Estimate and installation. (You could choose from just researching an estimate to repairs as well)
• Helpful wood flooring information along the bottom of the screen helped me understand what types of wood flooring there is, and pros and cons of each.

After I filled out my contact information the system found 3 quality & pre-screened contractors. I received phone calls that day and set up my appointments for estimates… so for the next 4-6 weeks I will show you the process of how my family room gets transformed with wood floors!

Stay close to Stagetecture and see the before and after pics, and see the process of using HomeAdvisor for your home improvement needs.

I can’t wait, next week you will hear how I chose a contractor, how the estimates process went, and how HomeAdvisor helped me interview contractors with helpful tips.

Note: I’m pairing with HomeAdvisor to have flooring placed in my home and working with HomeAdvisor prescreened contractors to perform the work. The project costs $2500 and is being covered by HomeAdvisor. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

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