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HOST: Kurt, welcome to the builders' show. Tell us a little bit about contractors.com.
KURT: Well, it's a directory of all the remodeling, home-improvement, maintenance contractors throughout the US. Last ten years we've been collecting data, including photos, homeowner reviews, um company descriptions -- as much information as we can collect, including insurance and licensing information.
HOST: As a contractor, how do I get on your list? Or am I already on your list?
KURT: You probably are on the list. (HOST: Okay.) I do recommend that most contractors do come in and make sure the information's correct. I add information that's missing. And if they would like, there's opportunities for them to add photos to basically improve their directory list.
HOST: I guess if I'm a person looking for a contractor, I can go to contractors dot com and get all kinds of different information, I guess good and bad, (KURT: Right.) on the contractor.
KURT: That's the purpose of the site, is to separate the good guys from the bad guys. (HOST: Right.) Homeowners--not only can they meet with the contractors and avoid the -- the rigmarole of looking up insurance and licensing information, but they can also write reviews about the contractor when they're done. And the contractor, knowing that, also helps them be more responsible to the homeowner.
HOST: Right. If somebody gives you a bad review, do you have a way of going back and trying to fix that. Because, you know, sometimes it can be unfair. (KURT: Sure. Absolutely.) And it's okay. It can be unfair both ways.
KURT: Absolutely. And I -- What we do is we allow contractors to write a rebuttal to any testimonies they receive. (HOST: Okay. Right.) We've struck a relationship (HOST: Great.) with working to providing our listings on HGTVPro (HOST: Uh-huh) and all the other properties that HG has, and I think that all of the consumers that are visiting the site for information now have the ability to then transfer over and -- and pick up a contractor.
HOST: So, I mean -- even as a -- if I'm a general contractor, which I am, if I want to find some subs and some information on subs that (KURT: Yeah. Absolutely.) -- I can also come to contractors dot com and say, hey, there's a roofing guy that I'm looking at and may have some good things and some bad things.
KURT: Absolutely. There's reviews about them. It's a very easy way to pick up subs.
HOST: Great. Well, enjoy the builders' show. Thank you.
KURT: Well, thank you.
[NONINTERVIEW DIALOGUE AND FOOTAGE]
HOST: So at contractors dot com, do you generate leads for builders?
KURT: The homeowners that come into the site can fill out a form and on that form, they're saying that they want to meet with a contractor. We'll send that out to -- Up to three contractors can buy that lead. Uh, before we send it out though, we first contact that homeowner, and make sure that they're serious, that they have a budget in mind, that it's reasonable, and then once that happens--that's our verification process--we'll then send that out to the contractors. Again, three contractors can then purchase that lead -- (HOST: Okay.) -- and uh they must be qualified contractors, meaning we've already verified that they're properly licensed, they're properly insured, and that meets the homeowner's needs. So, we're trying to save the homeowner time so that they don't have to go do all the background checks on the contractor (HOST: Right.) and the contractor, we're trying to save them time, so they don't have to make those initial calls to people who are really just kicking tires and trying to get a sense of a price.
HOST: I know, cause it's really nice to know it's a qualified lead.
KURT: Yeah, exactly.
HOST: Thank you.
KURT: You're welcome.
[NONINTERVIEW DIALOGUE AND FOOTAGE]
KURT: So the contractors, not only are they showing up now on contractors dot com, but they're showing up on DIY dot com, FineLiving dot com, HGTV -- So, and all the marketplaces -- So there's a tremendous amount of traffic from homeowners coming in to see these listings. So suddenly, there's tremendous value to making sure you're listing's correct -- (HOST: Right.) -- and be able to get that exposure.
HOST: So you're getting the folks that are watching HGTV and DIY and all these great programs, and you're the kind of link between them and finding that contractor.
KURT: Exactly. [END]
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