ServiceMagic
 | |
| Company type | Public (Nasdaq: IACI) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado |
Key people | Chris Terrill, CEO |
| Products | Online service connecting homeowners with screened and customer-rated service professionals |
| Owner | Interactive Corp (IAC) |
| Website | servicemagic.com |
ServiceMagic is a website operated by InterActiveCorp (IAC), in which homeowners in the United States and Canada are referred to home improvement contractors, who pay fees for leads.[1][2] Contractors are pre-screened for contractor licenses and insurance as well as criminal and financial issues.[3] There is no charge to homeowners to use the service. Homeowners choose a category that matches their home improvement need, enter their zip code and answer a couple of questions about their project.[4]Service Magic presents three or four quotes from different contractors best suited for the project.[5]Professionals in the ServiceMagic network are screened for criminal records, bankruptcy issues, bad reviews, sex offenses, and cases of malpractice.[6]Member contractors are charged fees of $7 to $50 per lead referral, depending on the type of job.[7][8] The site also includes articles and features on home-related topics.
History
Service Magic was founded in 1998 by Rodney Rice and Michael Beaudoin who were part of the founding management team of Einstein Bros. Bagels.[7][9] The website was acquired by InterActiveCorp in 2004 for an unknown price, though no jobs were lost in the process.[10] Leading up to 2008, ServiceMagic matched 7 million home improvement requests by homeowners to its network of contractors and service professionals.[7]
The website's main competitor, ImproveNet, was bought out by Service Magic in 2005 for $6.7 million.[11]
In January 2008, IAC/InterActiveCorp appointed Craig Smith as CEO of ServiceMagic, Inc. He was the Senior Vice President of the company's Consumer Division. Co-founders Rodney Rice and Michael Beaudoin became co-chairmen and advisors. ServiceMagic remained part of the parent company when IAC split into five publicly traded companies. [12]
In March 2008, Service Magic launched ScreenAPro,[13] which allows homeowners to screen contractors.[14]
In October 2008, ServiceMagic US acquired the French business 123Devis.com and Travaux.com as well as UK business 123GetAQuote.co.uk to create ServiceMagic Europe. In March 2009, the UK business was rebranded ServiceMagic.co.uk.
In April 2009, Service Magic announced that it had formed a "strategic alliance" with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) that would benefit both groups by bringing in more customers.[15]
In February 2010, the company launched ServiceMagicBusiness.com, its B2B portal for commercial maintenance and improvement work.
As of 2011, ServiceMagic has more than 1,100 employees.[16]
In April 2011, Chris Terrill was hired as Chief Executive Officer[17]
References
- ^ Moore, Paula (May 5, 2010). "U.S. homeowner interest in remodeling up 49%, says ServiceMagic.com". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ Quinton, Brian (December 1, 2006). "Pay-per-Call Works a Little ServiceMagic". Direct. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "Consumer FAQ's". ServiceMagic.
- ^ Lock, Andrew (September 15, 2011). "Four-Web-Tools-at-Your-Service". Small Business Computing.com.
- ^ Yamshon, Leah (September 5, 2011). "Angie's List: Is the Service Site Worth Its Membership Fee?". PC World.
- ^ Yamshon, Leah (September 5, 2011). "Angie's List: Is the Service Site Worth Its Membership Fee?". PC World.
- ^ a b c Jones, Rebecca (Jan. 14, 2006). "Service Magic links homeowners, contractors". Retrieved 29 September 2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ernest, Beck (November 4, 2004). "Architect and Client Matched by Mouse". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
- ^ Stanley, Kathleen (January 17, 2003). "Contractor help is just a click away". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
- ^ Arellano, Kristi (July 23, 2004). "InterActiveCorp adds ServiceMagic to web of offerings". Denver Post. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ Fillion, Roger (June 24, 2005). "Servicemagic to buy rival". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "ServiceMagic names new CEO". Denver Business Journal. January 23, 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ "Service Magic Announces Launch of Screen-A-Pro". PRNewswire. March 25, 2008.
- ^ "To Preserve Home Equity Help Your Neighbor". Wall Street Journal. April 10, 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "ServiceMagic.com and NKBA Form Alliance". Appliance Magazine. April 6, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "Denver-area companies learn to use Internet, social media to stand out". The Denver Post. August 1, 2011.
- ^ "ServiceMagic names new CEO". Denver Business Journal. April 25, 2011.
External links
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