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Online company offers total home solutions
YOUNGSTOWN
A new online company recently was soft-launched providing home-improvement services to the Mahoning Valley.
General Manager John Thomas and Business Manager Greg Leveille started Total Home Solutions, which connects independent contractors with a flow of home- improvement, home-care and personal-care jobs on its website, www.totalhomesolutions.biz.
“All businesses in today’s market have to be consumer- centric,” Leveille said.
Total Home Solutions provides a home inspection, a consultation of the repairs and cost needed, and connecting the handyman or contractor for the work needed to be done. Homeowners can schedule when the task is to be done.
Thomas, who has appraised homes since 1991, said plans for the company started about two years ago. The development of the company took off after he met Leveille, who has an extensive background in the computer industry, a year later.
He said the goal is to provide home services at the lowest cost to the consumer and help niche groups, such as the elderly, who need assistance when living on their own.
“People want to stay in their homes,” he said. Homeowners can connect with a contractor or handyman for any task listed under the six categories: cleaning, home inspection, home repairs, lifestyle, major upgrades and senior living. Each category has several tasks that are needed by homeowners.
Thomas said he has about 10 to 12 handymen, and eight general contractors, but he is looking to increase that number.
But the company also will strive for perfection when it comes to the independent contractors who use their services, he added.
Contractors who perform below expectations would be dropped, Leveille said.
The online company does not charge membership fees to the end users but does take a 10 percent commission from independent contractors who find work through the website.
Thomas and Leveille also plan to expand the company.
“We’re going to franchise,” Leveille said, adding they plan to expand their services in other midsize cities within a year.
The company will launch officially in July, Thomas said.