Angie's list (insurance, house, buy)

[Spree]

Does it cost to become a member? They want my email address to send information, I haven't been able to find any mention of cost on the website. Anyone a member that can recommend it? It seems like there is a strong DFW chapter.

thanks :-)

[WeeMadArthur]

Its like $60/yr.

[loves2read]

I belong to the FTW board because I live in Tarrant county--have found a good electrician, a plumber, and now a tree service--
it just seemed that when we were in the market for a plumber (the h/w heater needed to be replaced and there were code issues) and was having problem with tripping a breaker--no one I knew had used either one in several years and they were reluctant to recommend anyone...
I was very pleased with the service and prices I got from those guys--
I read all the postings and check the BBB links for companies--
currently I am looking for tree sevice co to cut back my pecans and couple of other trees---the first Angie's tree service I called came out promptly and gave me an estimate that I thought was high--the second one (which is actually higher ranked and has a discount for Angie's customers) came out a couple of days later and was like 300 less to do the same work--so we are going with them...they have insurance and many positive writeups--work won't be cheap but we want someone with a chipper who will dispose of the limbs right then...
Anyway I use them and think they are pretty good--right now we are are considering whether or not to replace siding on the house when we have the roof and gutters replaced...so I have been checking out those reports...
Angie's list really does not do anything drastic to people on their list who DON't provide good service or get complaints--I think originally companies could not pay to be listed on Angie's list but I am not so sure about now--if the companies can pay to list there then it is just like the yellow pages but it is really nice to have feedback (and I think most of them are legitimate ones)...

[Spree]

Thanks! $60 is high I think for a year, but maybe not for a one time fee? My husband and I do a lot around the house as far as maintenance goes but our time is valuable on the weekends w/the kids that we don't want to take it up w/major projects. Right now we have a flat section of our roof that is covered by a deck that is leaking onto our patio between the house and the garage when it rains. Being new, we don't know the reputations of the good companies to call. For instance, our refrigerator/freezer wasn't cooling, I called an appliance rescue place and they came out and put $180 worth of freon in and wanted us to spend $600 on a new evaporator. A few days later, when the fridge started acting up, dh did a little investigation and found that it was the thermostat and the guy should have removed the panel in the freezer to check it and run it through a cycle, he never did. I go to a parts store, buy a $25 thermostat and the hubby puts it in after work and we haven't had a problem since.