SEATTLE, Dec. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Porch.com (http://porch.com), the home network for homeowners and home improvement professionals, today launched nationally the Porch App, a first of its kind app available for iPhone and iPod touch.
The Porch App (http://porch.com/app), the first mobile offering from the Seattle-based company, gives homeowners three seamless and innovative ways to connect with professionals their neighbors have used and loved - Concierge, Pro Dial, and Pro Search.
With a single tap, Concierge launches a live interactive audio experience with a Porch representative who will provide 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, live over the phone.
Customers who know the pro type they need can simply tap the Pro Dial button and get connected to a professional in less than 60 seconds.
Pro Search brings the power of the Porch home network to the search experience, allowing customers the ability to browse professionals and find the perfect match for their specific needs.
Porch also announced a Beta program in Seattle for Porch Booking, a feature that will change the way homeowners get maintenance done on and in their homes.
"Over the last year we have seen incredible adoption of our platform from both homeowners and home improvement professionals," said Matt Ehrlichman, chief executive officer of Porch. "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."
Introducing the Porch App
Since the launch of it's service in September 2013, millions of homeowners have used the Porch home network to find the home improvement professional that is right for them based on who their neighbors have used and loved.
Powered by the Porch network of over 2.8 million professionals, 121 million projects, $2 trillion in tracked improvement spend, and partners like Lowe's and realtor.com, the Porch App will make the connection between homeowners and home improvement professionals a frictionless experience.
Starting today homeowners in every city in the country will be able to find and book the right professionals through the following Porch App features.
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Project consultation with Concierge: A tap of the Concierge button initiates a one of a kind interactive customer service experience where a Porch representative will work with the homeowner to understand their project and establish a live connection with the right, trusted Porch professional to get the job done. For anyone who needs to address an immediate need Porch Concierge is designed to get the project addressed as soon as possible through a plumber, electrician, roofer, or many more. The entire experience is hosted over a data connection, allowing the Concierge to interactively send the customer information cards about professionals they are connected to live.
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A professional on the line in under 60 seconds with Pro Dial: Pro Dial combines the power of Porch's millions of data points and Voice-Over-IP technology to immediately 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 & reviews, neighbor information, and average project size while they are talking.
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Find the Right Professional with Pro Search: For those who are looking to control their search experience from start to finish, the Porch App will allow homeowners the ability to search the Porch network of over 2.8 million professionals so they can find the professional that is right for them. This is the Porch.com experience you know and love, now in the palm of your hand.
- Create your address book of great professionals with My Pros: Every time you contact a professional or add a project to your home timeline on Porch.com the Porch App saves that information for you in the My Pros tab, making it easy to get back in touch with the professionals you have talked with, used and loved.
The Porch App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch at www.AppStore.com/Porch.
Support for additional mobile platforms will be announced in 2015.
Porch Booking Beta Available Now in Seattle, WA
Effective immediately, homeowners in select Seattle, WA zip codes can access the Porch Booking Beta through the Porch App.
With the Porch Booking Beta, homeowners will find the most convenient way to get small maintenance projects done at a pre-negotiated rates by Porch Certified Professionals that are background check, licensed, insured & bonded professionals.
Homeowners can book, schedule, and pay for projects done by Porch Certified Professionals from within the Porch App. Porch Certified professionals who are background checked, licensed, insured, and highly rated and backed by the Porch Satisfaction Guarantee.
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 can choose from a growing list of maintenance services including carpet cleaners, handyman, plumbers, landscapers, and painters at pre-negotiated hourly rates.
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.
About Porch
Porch is the home network, free for homeowners and professionals. With over 2.8 million professionals and over 120 million projects, Porch enables homeowners to make smart home improvement decisions by giving them the services they need to find the right professionals, get inspiration, and manage their home. For more information about Porch visit http://porch.com.
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