Porch.com launched the Porch App for iPhone and iPod touch, its first-ever mobile offering.
The Porch App gives homeowners three ways to connect with professional: Concierge, Pro Dial and Pro Search.
Concierge launches a live, interactive audio experience with a Porch representative who provides consultation for homeowners so they can figure out which pro type to use and connect them with a home professional who has done similar work in their neighborhood. The entire experience is hosted over a data connection, allowing the Concierge to interactively send the customer information cards about professionals they are connected.
Customers who know the pro type they need can merely tap the Pro Dial button and get connected to a professional in less than 60 seconds. Pro Dial combines Porch’s millions of data points and Voice-Over-IP technology to connect consumers with a local, license-verified and well-rated professional. Pro Dial uses a proprietary self-optimizing algorithm to sequentially dial and prioritize professionals to find a live trusted connection for a customer, getting what used to take 15-20 minutes done in under a minute. As with the Porch Concierge feature, the entire experience occurs over a data connection in the Porch App, allowing the customer to see ratings and reviews, neighbor information and average project size while they are talking.
Pro Search enables customers to control their search experience from start to finish, browsing professionals and finding a match for their specific needs. Another feature of the app, the My Pros tab, saves information for previously contacted professionals and projects on users’ home timelines.
“Over the last year we have seen incredible adoption of our platform from both homeowners and home improvement professionals,” Porch CEO Matt Ehrlichman said. “As the home network continues to grow we are committed to solving the major pain points both homeowners and professionals deal with everyday. Through our unique approach to data and analytics, the Porch App will fundamentally change the way homeowners look for, find and book the home improvement or maintenance professional that is right for them by removing the friction that exists today and putting the Porch home network in the palm of their hands.”
Porch Booking Beta
In addition to the app, Porch also unveiled a beta program in Seattle for Porch Booking, whereby homeowners get small maintenance projects done at pre-negotiated rates by Porch Certified Professionals, professionals who are background checked, licensed, insured and bonded.
Porch Certified Professionals are rated at the conclusion of each job and must maintain consistently high ratings to be matched to future Porch Booking jobs.
Homeowners will know if they’re eligible for Porch Booking when it shows up automatically as a Porch App menu option.
The Porch Booking Beta will be released in additional cities over the coming months.
