We don’t all have our very own Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, so most of us have to hunt for general contractors to help us with home improvement projects both big and small.
But finding a reliable and qualified contractor for your home improvement project can be pretty tricky. There are plenty of referral platforms or sites that analyze local businesses and contractors, but if you’re super busy, sifting through dozens of crowd-sourced reviews can be more trouble than it’s worth.
That’s where Sidekick hopes to come in.
Our purpose is to be a single point of contact for homeowners with home improvement projects.”
Founded by a trio of homeowners and contractors on Boston’s South Shore, Sidekick offers a concierge service that not only connects homeowners to vetted contractors, but also gives contractors the administrative support they need to focus on their projects.
“Our purpose is to be a single point of contact for homeowners with home improvement projects,” said Sidekick co-founder Andrew Austin.
Austin said their business “takes it further” than competitors like Angie’s List or Home Advisor by connecting homeowners with a local home property manager, dubbed a “Sidekick.” This expert serves as a single point of contact to handle all home improvement and maintenance needs, from securing a local craftsman to fix the front porch to securing a plumber to repair a clogged toilet.
The assigned Sidekick manages the entire process so homeowners don’t have to wonder when a contractor will show up or whether they will do quality work. Sidekick even handles the payment process.
“Our competitors are like modern day Yellow Pages,” Austin said. “With sites like Angie’s List, you have to find the right contractor, read about who’s good and who’s not, and then you’re still left scheduling. Half might reply, half not. You still have to negotiate prices.”
Sidekick streamlines that process by making it simple: Homeowners send project requests to Sidekick, which collects all of the project details (including budget) from the homeowner. Contractors who match the skills needed are presented with the job and can accept or decline. Upon accepting a job, Sidekick takes care of everything else, including scheduling, mapping, billing and even providing a tax summary.
Not just anyone can be a part of the Sidekick workforce community, though.
Sidekick community members are either referred or recruited and follow a standard hiring process including interviews, background checks and references.
For aspiring Sidekicks, they must have home improvement experience and also be local to the community so that they’re familiar with the geography they’re working in. Sidekick’s most popular services include painting, plumbing, remodeling, electrical, handyman and contractor work.
Currently, Sidekick services the South shore, North shore and metro west areas of Boston and will be expanding to select pockets of Connecticut and New York in early 2019. Austin estimates that they have the potential to reach 850,000 households in Massachusetts.
