Angi charges contractors for every lead they receive — usually $15 to $85, with some trades paying more — and shares each lead with 3 to 8 competing businesses. A homeowner posts a request once; several companies then pay for the same contact information and race to call first. Handvetted asks what you need, verifies every professional before anyone gets your name, and introduces you to one match, free. If it is not the right fit, we rematch you at no cost.
- Angi shares one request with 3-8 competing businesses.
- Contractors pay per lead, so quality varies with their bid math.
- Handvetted verifies first and introduces one match, free.
- Both are free for homeowners; only the process differs.
Angi vs Handvetted: how they actually work
| Dimension | Angi | Handvetted |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Browsing a large marketplace of professionals | Homeowners who want one vetted match, not a queue of callers |
| Cost to homeowners | Free to search and request quotes | Free. Always |
| Cost to professionals | Per-lead fees plus annual membership | No per-call pricing |
| Screening | Pros join by creating a profile | Licensed, background-checked, 4.5+ star verified rating |
| Number of businesses contacting you | 3-8 per request, paid to reach you first | One, already briefed on your project |
| What you do next | Field calls, compare estimates yourself | Take the call and decide |
Angi works when you want to compare several professionals on your own. Handvetted works when you have already decided you want one verified professional and no sales calls.
Where Angi is strong
- Reach. Angi lists a very large pool of pros across most US metros, so an unusual request can still find several options.
- Reviews. Angi's review base is large, so a homeowner can read history before choosing.
- Speed. Pros who pay for leads tend to call fast. If you want multiple bids on a big job, that is a feature.
- Free for homeowners. Requesting quotes costs nothing, on either platform.
Where Handvetted differs
- Verification first. Every professional is licensed, background-checked and holds a verified 4.5+ star rating before entering the network. Not everyone makes it in.
- One introduction. You talk to one professional who already knows your project. No bidding war, no pressure to answer five calls.
- No per-lead economics. Because the professional is not recovering lead fees, the conversation can be about the job, not the markup.
- Free rematch. If the first match is not right, we match you with a different verified professional at no cost.
What to watch for on either platform
- Confirm the license yourself through your state board before signing anything.
- Ask for proof of insurance, not just a promise.
- Read a recent review, not just the star average.
- Get scope and price in writing before any deposit.
The decision, plainly
Choose Angi if you want to source several quotes and compare professionals yourself. Choose Handvetted if you want one licensed, background-checked professional, matched to your project, with no competition for your phone number. Both are free for homeowners. Only the process differs.
FAQ
Is Angi free for homeowners?
Yes. Searching professionals and requesting quotes is free on Angi. The per-lead costs are paid by the businesses, and that cost is shared when several pros respond to one request.
How many companies contact me after one Angi request?
Typically 3 to 8. Each pays for the same lead, so each has a financial reason to call you first. Handvetted makes one introduction instead.
Is Handvetted free?
Free for homeowners, always. We are paid by the professionals in our network, not by you, and we never sell your request to multiple businesses.
How is Handvetted different from Angi?
Angi sends one request to several paying pros. Handvetted verifies license, background and a 4.5+ star rating first, then introduces you to one match, with a free rematch if it is not right.
Do I need to compare quotes to get a fair price?
It helps on large projects, but a verified professional with a written scope and fixed price is a reasonable alternative. If you do compare, keep the requests identical so bids line up.
What should I check before hiring any professional?
License with your state board, proof of insurance, recent reviews and a written contract with scope and payment schedule.
One last thing
If you use a shared-lead platform, answer calls from numbers you recognize and tell each business you are comparing bids. You will get better prices from a fair competition than from a rushed call.
Ready to skip the queue? Get matched with one verified roofing or heating and air conditioning professional — free for homeowners, always.