If you own a home, you know that there is always something that needs fixing, installation, or general repair. Whether it's a faucet that's leaking, a new bed that needs to be assembled, or a Nest thermostat that needs to be installed, there's always something.

A startup wants to make this particular part of homeownership less painful by offering a dedicated handyman to take care of all the random tasks on your to-do list. It's an interesting model. Honey houses employs the tradesman as part of its staff as an employee to ensure that the work in your home is consistent. Homeowners pay Honey Homes a flat fee ($200 per month or $2,000 per year) for the convenience of an “end-to-end” membership-based service through the app.

The way it works is that members are assigned a dedicated handyman who comes by at least once a month to take care of home improvements and preventive maintenance. Because employees are employed, they also receive benefits, including parental leave and paid time off, a rarity in an industry that has historically relied on contractors.

Honey Homes launched with its first 10 beta customers in August 2021 and is currently available to single-family homeowners in all suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, but not in San Francisco itself. It recently began operations in Dallas.

Man-woman team Vishwas Prabhakara (Yelp's first general manager) and Avantika Prabhakara (former marketing director at Opendoor, Trulia and Zillow) joined forces with Katie Pham and Rory O'Connell in 2021 to create Honey Homes.

Over the past two years, Honey Homes has grown to over 500 members and says it has completed over 20,000 tasks for homeowners Vishwas. The company increased membership — and therefore revenue — eightfold in 2022, he added, and has already nearly doubled this year.

Since its inception, the company has raised a total of $12.1 million in funding, including most recently $9 million in a Series A led by Khosla Ventures. Khosla and Pear VC co-led Honey Homes' seed round in 2021. Other supporters are: Teambuilder Ventures and Moving Capital, as well as angel investors including DoorDash co-founders Tony Xu and Stanley Tang, Lyft co-founder Logan Green, Opendoor co-founder Eric Wu and Mercury co-founder Immad Akhund, among others.

Vishwas told TechCrunch that he has started working on the company in earnest after speaking to a number of homeowners and Conclusion: There would be enough people who would be interested in paying a generalist to come to their home once or twice a month to carry out ongoing maintenance or improvements.

“I asked her, 'Would this be interesting to you?' Would you pay for it?' And surprisingly for me the answer was a resounding yes,” he said. “We seemed to have struck a chord with homeowners.”

The Honey Homes app allows a homeowner to create a to-do list and schedule appointments. It also helps homeowners work with specialists when necessary.

But what if I were curious and crossed all the tasks off your to-do list? What then?

“The one thing that really opened my eyes is that when you offer this as a member service, you suddenly realize you want more,” Vishwas said. “And there are some people who just like the peace of mind.”

Honey Homes employs 45 people, including 25 craftsmen. Vishwas said the consistency of employees has helped strengthen the company's credibility.

“Of a From a homeowner’s perspective, you want someone you can build a relationship with and trust,” he told TechCrunch. “So it is extremely valuable for a homeowner to see the same person over and over again.”

The startup has also launched Honey Homes University, a training facility for people working in the field to develop their skills. Looking ahead, Honey Homes eventually plans to expand into urban centers, but for now is focused on serving suburban single-family homeowners, who tend to have greater maintenance and upkeep needs, according to Vishwas.

Khosla partner Evan Moore, who joined Honey Homes' board as part of its Series A funding round and is also a co-founder of DoorDash, said that as vice president of product at Opendoor, he saw that the company “could receive significantly better service, quality and prices from home service providers.”

But as an individual homeowner, “it is difficult to reliably get good work done at a reasonable cost.”

Moore wrote via email: “Many startups have tried to improve this customer experience and failed, but Honey Homes seems to have gotten it right.” Rarely does an idea work so well so quickly. I have been here since day one and have been fortunate to see the incredible response from customers.”

He believes Honey Homes is different from many other consumer home services startups that simply connect homeowners with potential providers or “act as a concierge.”

Moore added: “Honey Homes solves the entire problem of home improvement and maintenance, from idea to completion. By repeatedly delivering quality work, we build trust with our customers. They then reward us with more work over time.”

The post Khosla Ventures simply doubled down on this handyman-on-demand service for householders appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Lewisville residents with limited incomes can breathe a little easier thanks to a new housing initiative aimed at fixing those pesky HVAC problems at no personal cost. The recently announced Minor Housing Rehab Program, supported by the Community Development Block Grant, promises to help eligible homeowners with essential repairs or replacements to their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

According to the city of Lewisville, Texas, the program is aimed exclusively at low- to moderate-income residents who could help keep their homes comfortable and safe year-round. To qualify, residents must have owned their home for at least two years, use it as their primary residence, be current on mortgages and insurance, earn less than $57,500 per year as a single homeowner, and have less than $20,000 in savings have liquid assets. Each additional household member increases the income eligibility by $8,250.

Applications are currently being accepted, but the service will only be provided by an HVAC contractor selected and vetted by the city. The deal is straightforward: Once approved, all funds for the necessary work will be disbursed directly from the City of Lewisville to the contractor, so residents won't see a single invoice.

Additionally, City staff will assist applicants in Hakha Chin, Spanish and English during scheduled sessions at the Lewisville Public Library to ensure that no language barriers impede participation in the program. The first of these sessions took place on Tuesday March 5th, with two further opportunities for personal assistance on Wednesday and Thursday, where Spanish assistance will also be available.

Those in need of this vital support have been directed to the City's official website where they can find further information, guidelines and online applications. It's a solid move by the city government, which recognizes that maintaining a home goes beyond aesthetics and is about maintaining the health and well-being of community members. Every resident deserves warmth in the winter and relief from the heat in the summer, and through the Minor Housing Rehab Program, Lewisville ensures its citizens have just that.

The post Lewisville Launches Free HVAC Restore Program for Low-Revenue Householders appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

We on the Marketwatch Guides team have compiled home insurance quotes for the providers mentioned in this article using data from Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant is a leading source of property and casualty insurance solutions and data.

Our example homeowner is a 40-year-old single man with good credit and no prior claims history. Our sample policies included a $1,000 deductible and the following coverages and limits:

• Housing: $350,000
• Other structures: $25,000
• Personal property: $150,000
• Loss of use: $50,000
• Liability: $300,000
• Medical payments: $1,000

For each provider, we obtained a quote for 50% of the zip codes in each state in which they are licensed. We used the most populous zip codes for our study. We calculated a nationwide average premium per provider from the average of these individual offers. Our sample prices are for informational purposes only. Actual rewards may vary.

The post Greatest Owners Insurance coverage in San Francisco (2024) appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

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Photo credit: the Burtons/Getty Images

If you own a home, you know that there is always something that needs fixing, installation, or general repair. Whether it's a faucet that's leaking, a new bed that needs to be assembled, or a Nest thermostat that needs to be installed, there's always something.

A startup wants to make this particular part of homeownership less painful by offering a dedicated handyman to take care of all the random tasks on your to-do list. It's an interesting model. Honey houses employs the tradesman as part of its staff as an employee to ensure that the work in your home is consistent. Homeowners pay Honey Homes a flat fee ($200 per month or $2,000 per year) for the convenience of an “end-to-end” membership-based service through the app.

The way it works is that members are assigned a dedicated handyman who comes by at least once a month to take care of home improvements and preventive maintenance. Because employees are employed, they also receive benefits, including parental leave and paid time off, a rarity in an industry that has historically relied on contractors.

Honey Homes launched with its first 10 beta customers in August 2021 and is currently available to single-family homeowners in all suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, but not in San Francisco itself. The company recently began operations in Dallas.

Man-woman team Vishwas Prabhakara (Yelp's first general manager) and Avantika Prabhakara (former marketing director at Opendoor, Trulia and Zillow) joined forces with Katie Pham and Rory O'Connell in 2021 to create Honey Homes.

Over the past two years, Honey Homes has grown to over 500 members and says it has completed over 20,000 tasks for homeowners Vishwas. The company grew membership — and therefore revenue — eightfold in 2022, he added, and has already nearly doubled this year.

Since its inception, the company has raised a total of $12.1 million in funding, including most recently $9 million in a Series A led by Khosla Ventures. Khosla and Pear VC co-led Honey Homes' seed round in 2021. Other supporters are: Teambuilder Ventures and Moving Capital, as well as angel investors such as DoorDash co-founders Tony Xu and Stanley Tang, Lyft co-founder Logan Green, Opendoor co-founder Eric Wu and Mercury co-founder Immad Akhund.

Vishwas told TechCrunch that he has started working on the company in earnest after speaking to a number of homeowners and Conclusion: There would be enough people who would be interested in paying a generalist to come to their home once or twice a month to carry out ongoing maintenance or improvements.

“I asked her, 'Would this be interesting to you?' Would you pay for it?' And surprisingly for me the answer was a resounding yes,” he said. “We seemed to have struck a chord with homeowners.”

The Honey Homes app allows a homeowner to create a to-do list and schedule appointments. It also helps homeowners work with specialists when necessary.

But what if I were curious and crossed all the tasks off your to-do list? What then?

“The one thing that really opened my eyes is that when you offer this as a member service, you suddenly realize you want more,” Vishwas said. “And there are some people who just like the peace of mind.”

Honey Homes employs 45 people, including 25 craftsmen. Vishwas said the consistency of employees has helped strengthen the company's credibility.

“Of a From a homeowner’s perspective, you want someone you can build a relationship with and trust,” he told TechCrunch. “So it is extremely valuable for a homeowner to see the same person over and over again.”

The startup has also launched Honey Homes University, a training facility for people working in the field to develop their skills. Looking ahead, Honey Homes eventually plans to expand into urban centers, but for now is focused on serving suburban single-family homeowners, who tend to have greater maintenance and upkeep needs, according to Vishwas.

Khosla partner Evan Moore, who joined Honey Homes' board as part of its Series A funding round and is also a co-founder of DoorDash, said that as vice president of product at Opendoor, he saw that the company “could receive significantly better service, quality and prices from home service providers.”

But as an individual homeowner, “it is difficult to reliably get good work done at a reasonable cost.”

Moore wrote via email: “Many startups have tried to improve this customer experience and failed, but Honey Homes seems to have gotten it right.” Rarely does an idea work so well so quickly. I have been there since day one and have been fortunate to see the incredible response from customers.”

He believes Honey Homes is different from many other consumer home services startups that simply connect homeowners with potential providers or “act as a concierge.”

Moore added: “Honey Homes solves the entire problem of home improvement and maintenance, from idea to completion. By repeatedly delivering quality work, we build trust with our customers. They then reward us with more work over time.”

The post Khosla Ventures simply doubled down on this handyman-on-demand service for householders appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

HVAC Companies Milton At Free Air Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd., we understand that air conditioning is an essential part of your home’s comfort and efficiency. That’s why our team of professionals are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality services and solutions. With over a decade in business, Free Air has established itself as a leader in the industry, offering honest and reliable services that exceed expectations.

HVAC systems are a significant investment for your home, and choosing the right company to install them is essential. By understanding the different types of systems and getting quotes from multiple companies, you can make an informed decision about who to hire. Ask questions during the installation process to ensure you’re happy with the end result.

HVAC is one of those essential services that everyone needs, but only some know how to pick the right company to work with. This article will outline the steps you need to take to identify the right HVAC company for your needs. From checking out their customer ratings to learning more about their services and pricing, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about who to work with.

Choosing the right HVAC company for your needs

Choosing the right HVAC company for your needs can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s essential to take some time to consider all the factors involved. Consider experience, qualifications, and pricing. Additionally, ask the company questions about their services and how they would approach achieving your goals. Finally, review ratings and reviews of HVAC companies to find the best one for you! There are a number of factors to consider when picking an HVAC company, including ratings, certifications, and customer reviews.

In addition, it’s essential to consider the services offered by the company. Ensure you understand the service required for your specific home or business and ask about possible discounts or specials. Additionally, it’s helpful to know if the services offer any warranties or guarantees.

Choosing an HVAC company can be daunting, but following these tips will help make the process easier.

Understanding the different types of HVAC systems

When selecting the right HVAC company for your home, it’s essential to understand the different types of HVAC systems. These systems include forced air, gas furnaces, and electronic climate control systems. Each method has pros and cons, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for before making a decision. Forced air HVAC systems use a motor to move the heat or cold around the room. They’re great for large rooms or spaces with a lot of square footage, as they’re efficient and can heat up or cool down the entire space quickly. Gas furnaces use natural gas to generate heat or AC units. They’re great for smaller rooms or areas that don’t need a lot of cooling or heating, as they’re cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Electronic climate control systems use sensors and controllers to regulate temperatures in the room. They’re great for people who are sensitive to air conditioning and want to control the room’s temperatures.

Determining the size and type of system you need

It can be daunting to figure out what type of system you need for your home. That’s why starting by determining the size and type of system you need is essential. Size can depend on a number of factors, including the number of people in your home, the size of your room, and the amount of heat or air conditioning you want. The type also depends on whether you have a single-person home or a multi-family unit, for example. Once you have a good idea of ​​the size and type of system you need, it’s time to start your search for an HVAC company. Make sure to consider the company’s reputation, warranties, and other services they offer. Remember to ask about their pricing, as finding an affordable company without sacrificing quality or service can be essential.

Getting a quote from the company and comparing it to other providers

When choosing the proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company, it’s essential to take the time to get a quote. This will help you compare prices, services, warranties, and turnaround time for repairs or replacements. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about the company’s services and warranties. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Remember, quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are only sometimes expensive – so don’t be afraid to compare companies and find the best HVAC provider for your needs.

Deciding who to hire and why

Hiring the right HVAC company can be a daunting task. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it can take time to know where to start. Here are five essential things to keep in mind when choosing an HVAC company:

1. Look for someone you trust and have a good reputation in the community.
2. Be sure to find an affordable HVAC company that offers competitive rates.
3. Ask questions during the interview so you understand precisely what they do and how they will help your home or business operate efficiently.
4. Finally, get a written estimate and sign the contract before starting work. This will help to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.

The installation process

Choosing the right HVAC contractor can be a daunting task. You should keep a few things in mind when making your decision, like checking their experience with air conditioning and heating systems, licensing and certification, and customer reviews. Additionally, be sure to ask around before making an appointment – ​​you never know who you might find helpful. When choosing an HVAC contractor, go with your gut instinct and trust your gut feeling!

In addition, be sure to read these helpful installation tips:

1. Clear your work area before the contractor arrives. This will help them get started more quickly and avoid any potential accidents.
2. Arrange for a backup system in case of equipment malfunctions or unexpected problems during the installation process.
3. Make sure all air ducts and vents are clear before they start working, as even a small obstruction can cause significant headaches later on down the road – don’t risk it!
4. Have fresh water and cleaning supplies available at all times during the installation process so that everything goes smoothly

Conclusion

HVAC systems are a significant investment for your home, and choosing the right company to install them is essential. By understanding the different types of systems and getting quotes from multiple companies, you can make an informed decision about who to hire. Ask questions during the installation process to ensure you’re happy with the end result.

At Free Air Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd., we’re here to help you choose the best HVAC company for your needs. We can provide you with various services in Milton, Ontario, including air conditioning installation and repair.

Media Contact
Company name: Free Air Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd
E-mail: send email
phone: (905) 783-3329
Address:529 Main Street East
State: ontario
Country: Canada
site: https://freeair.ca/

The post How To Decide The Proper HVAC Firm; A Vital Funding for Householders appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Despite hundreds of calls and complaints — and millions of dollars in contracts disputed by homeowners — an Ontario heating and cooling equipment company continues to operate even with dozens of charges alleging violations of the province’s Consumer Protection Act, a CBC Marketplace investigation reveals.

The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery is responsible for consumer protection, and states on its website that it handles complaints and enforces consumer protection laws.

Through a Freedom of Information request — a process that allows the public, including journalists, to access government records — Marketplace found that there have been more than 400 incidents, inquiries and complaints since January 2019 made to Consumer Protection Ontario, a program within the ministry , involving Ontario Green Savings.

• What do you think about this story? Do you have a question, experience or story tip to share? Send to email to ask@cbc.ca.

In those complaints, homeowners have described feeling “lied to,” “cheated” and “scammed.” And many shared detailed descriptions of how they were led to believe that Ontario Green Savings sales people were government employees offering savings and energy rebates that would show up on a utility bill.

But the Ontario government doesn’t offer such rebates through private HVAC companies.

Records obtained by Marketplace show that since 2019, homeowners have contacted the ministry to dispute more than $2.2 million in HVAC contracts with Ontario Green Savings.

Marketplace investigated this scam earlier this year, finding that instead of saving any money, residents say they find themselves trapped in contracts that can last ten years and cost thousands of dollars more than what the rental equipment is actually worth.

WATCH | Hidden cameras capture deceptive tactics used to sell overpriced HVAC contracts:

Hidden cameras catch HVAC scam in action

Exposing deceptive sales tactics used to suck people into unfair and overpriced HVAC contracts. And insiders reveal the new ways they get you to sign up for other home equipment too.

And it could get far worse for some.

When rental equipment is attached to a home, from a doorbell to a furnace, the associated company can place a lien against the title of that property as a form of security that the contract will be paid. And companies can place a lien on consumers’ homes immediately, even without a missed payment.

The team at Marketplace has heard from dozens of customers of Ontario Green Savings and its financial arm, many of whom say they were shocked to find a lien or Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) placed against the title of their homes without them knowing, which in Ontario is legal and can be done without a homeowner’s knowledge.

Ontario government wasn’t there to help, homeowners say

Abel Cheung from Orleans, Ont., is out more than $11,000 all because he signed up for a water filter that was supposed to save him money.

Cheung says he felt compelled to pay Ontario Green Savings more than $11,000 to have the lien placed on the title of his home removed. After installing a water filter in his basement the company placed a lien on his home the next day, which he only discovered when attempting to refinance his mortgage almost a year later.

“I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, how dare they put a lien against my home?'”

Keira Major from Hamilton, Ont., found herself in a similar situation. She paid the same HVAC company nearly $9,000 to buy out a HEPA filter and have her home’s lien removed. Major says she thought the company was associated with a government program.

Both turned to the ministry for help but say they got none.

Cheung filed his complaint in 2020, and major the following year. Cheung says the ministry did nothing, citing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And Major received a letter stating that her complaint wouldn’t be investigated and referred her to the non-profit Pro Bono Ontario for legal advice.

“The department is there to just make the government look good, that we’re protecting our consumers when they’re really not,” said Major.

Government lays charges, but that doesn’t stop company

In 2019, the ministry laid dozens of charges against Ontario Green Savings and its director for violations of the Consumer Protection Act, but customers say it continues with the same deceptive sales tactics.

In an email statement, a lawyer representing Ontario Green Savings said “the company is currently investigating the allegations against it and will defend itself, where necessary, in a court of law.”

He also said the company has already “taken positive reformative action” by updating its policies and practices.

And in an email statement, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery said that it “monitors complaints and takes appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act.”

It also said that because the Ontario Green Savings case is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

A possible fix