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How to Vet Online Home Improvement Quotes
Angi, HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack — how to use lead-gen platforms without overpaying.
BuildMate Editorial Updated March 2026 5 min read
How lead-gen platforms actually work
Angi and HomeAdvisor sell your info to 3–5 contractors who each paid $25–$85 for the lead. That cost gets baked into their quote. Expect a 10–20% markup vs. contractors you find independently.
Better sourcing
State licensing board directory → BBB accredited → your local subreddit and Nextdoor → your realtor's list. Then use the lead-gen platforms only as a tiebreaker.