How zipBuilder works
One project brief in. Competing quotes out. Here is exactly what happens in between, and what never happens without your say so.
Three steps, start to hire
Most homeowners get a bad price because they only ever hear one price. zipBuilder is built to fix that one problem.
Tell us the project
Enter your ZIP code, pick a service and describe the job in your own words. No trade jargon needed ... "the upstairs shower drips all night" is a perfectly good brief. Add timing and a budget range if you have one. It takes about two minutes, and you only do it once.
Local pros compete
Your brief goes to licensed pros who actually serve your ZIP code, not a national call list. Up to four respond with their price, their timeline and their availability. Because each pro knows others are quoting the same job, the lazy first number tends to disappear.
You pick with confidence
Compare the quotes side by side. Check reviews, ask follow up questions, and share your contact details only with the pros you want to hear from. Hire when you are ready, or do not hire at all. Either way, the whole exchange is saved to your My Home record.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to get quotes?
No. Requesting quotes is free for homeowners and always will be. zipBuilder makes its money from pros who pay to compete for work on the platform, which is exactly why they show up with sharp numbers.
How many quotes will I actually get?
Up to four. The real number depends on your category, your area and how many pros are active there. A clear, detailed brief almost always draws more responses than a vague one.
Are the pros screened?
Pros on zipBuilder must hold the licenses and insurance their trade and state require, and their profiles carry reviews from past zipBuilder projects. As with any hire, we recommend confirming license and insurance details directly before work begins.
Will pros start calling me the minute I submit?
No. Quotes arrive through zipBuilder first. Your phone number and email are only shared with a pro after you choose to open the conversation. No blast lists, no surprise sales calls.
What if I am not ready to hire anyone?
Then do not hire anyone. There is no obligation at any step. Many homeowners use zipBuilder to price a project months before pulling the trigger, and keep the quotes saved in My Home for when the time comes.
What is My Home?
My Home is your homeowner dashboard: one record of your home's systems, appliances, maintenance reminders, documents and every quote or project you run through zipBuilder. Think of it as the service history your house never had.
Ready to put a project out to bid?
Two minutes to describe it. Up to four local pros compete for it.