Nearleap vs HomeAdvisor for Handymans: Which Is Better?

Finding consistent work is the handyman's constant challenge. HomeAdvisor has dominated the lead generation space for years, but platforms like Nearleap are offering alternatives that promise better economics. This comparison helps handymen understand which platform will maximize their income.

Your choice of lead platform directly affects profitability. The difference between platforms can mean thousands of dollars annually—money that should stay in your business.

Platform Overview

Nearleap: Exclusive Leads, Fixed Pricing

Nearleap's model is straightforward: pay $19-25 per lead, receive that lead exclusively, compete with no one. For handymen exhausted by the race to respond first on traditional platforms, this represents a fundamental shift.

The platform verifies leads before delivery, ensuring you're connecting with homeowners who have real projects and genuine intent to hire.

HomeAdvisor: The Shared Lead Giant

HomeAdvisor built its empire on the shared lead model. When a homeowner requests handyman service, that lead goes to 3-4 local professionals. Everyone pays whether they win the job or not.

The pricing structure:

• Monthly fee: $15-30/month
• Per-lead costs: $15-80 depending on job type
• Optional mHelpDesk software: Additional monthly fee

HomeAdvisor merged with Angi in 2017, and the platforms now share backend infrastructure.

Pricing Deep Dive

Nearleap Fixed Pricing

| Tier | Lead Cost | Overage | Key Benefit | |------|-----------|---------|-------------| | Pro | $25 | $35 | Budget-friendly | | Business | $22 | $30 | Verified badge | | Enterprise | $19 | $25 | Priority matching |

Monthly scenario (15 leads, Pro plan):

• Lead cost: $375
• Close rate: 35%
• Jobs won: 5.25
• Revenue at $250/job: $1,312
• Profit: $937
• Acquisition cost: $71

HomeAdvisor Variable Pricing

| Job Category | Lead Cost Range | |--------------|-----------------| | Small repairs | $15-30 | | Assembly work | $18-35 | | Mounting/installation | $20-40 | | Carpentry fixes | $25-50 | | Painting work | $25-55 | | General handyman | $30-60 |

Monthly scenario (15 leads at $35 avg + $20 membership):

• Total cost: $545
• Close rate: 16%
• Jobs won: 2.4
• Revenue at $250/job: $600
• Profit: $55
• Acquisition cost: $227

The Competition Tax

HomeAdvisor's shared leads create hidden costs:

• You pay for leads you don't win
• Response time pressure means dropping current work
• Multiple follow-ups needed per lead
• Effective cost per customer: 4-6x stated lead price

Lead Quality Analysis

Nearleap Verification

Steps before lead delivery:

1. Phone confirmation: Number verified as reachable
2. Project validation: Real handyman work confirmed
3. Timeline assessment: Customer ready to proceed
4. Exclusive matching: One handyman per lead

Lead data provided:

• Verified contact information
• Property address and details
• Project description and scope
• Customer-submitted photos (when available)
• Scheduling preferences

HomeAdvisor Sources

Lead generation methods:

1. Website submissions: Consumer request forms
2. Phone intake: Inbound calls converted to leads
3. Partner networks: Third-party lead aggregators
4. Advertising: Heavy Google Ads spending

Quality issues reported:

• High rate of invalid/fake contacts
• Price shoppers with no hiring intent
• Leads from renters without authority
• Duplicate submissions charged separately

Comparison Table

| Metric | Nearleap | HomeAdvisor | |--------|----------|-------------| | Exclusivity | Yes | No (3-4 pros) | | Phone verified | Yes | Sometimes | | Bad lead rate | <3% | 12-20% | | Credit process | Automatic | Manual request | | Response pressure | Low | Extreme |

User Experience

Nearleap Dashboard

Designed for handymen:

• One-tap lead actions: Accept or decline instantly
• Built-in messaging: Keeps personal number private
• Quote builder: Send estimates from phone
• Job documentation: Photos and notes per project
• Revenue analytics: Track performance
• Full mobile app: Works from the truck

HomeAdvisor Dashboard

Available features:

• Lead management: View and respond to leads
• Opportunity tracking: Quote status
• Review responses: Manage customer feedback
• Profile editing: Services and coverage
• Budget controls: Set spending limits
• mHelpDesk integration: Optional CRM

Interface critique: Functional but dated. Navigation complex from multiple platform mergers.

Pros and Cons

Nearleap Pros

• Fixed pricing, no surprises
• Exclusive leads, no competition
• No monthly membership fee
• Higher close rates (30-40%)
• Fast, modern mobile experience

Nearleap Cons

• Smaller consumer brand recognition
• Coverage varies by market
• No native review system
• Fewer years of market presence

HomeAdvisor Pros

• Massive brand awareness
• High lead volume available
• Integrated review system
• Spending cap options
• Part of ANGI ecosystem

HomeAdvisor Cons

• Shared leads reduce win rates
• Variable pricing hurts budgeting
• Monthly fee plus lead costs
• High fake lead rate
• Disputed credits hard to get
• Response time pressure intense

Real Cost Comparison: Annual View

A handyman wanting 10 new customers monthly (120 annually):

Nearleap (Pro Plan)

• Leads needed (35% close): 343
• Lead cost: $25 each
• Annual spend: $8,575
• Cost per customer: $71

HomeAdvisor

• Leads needed (15% close): 800
• Average lead cost: $32
• Lead spend: $25,600
• Annual membership: $240
• Annual spend: $25,840
• Cost per customer: $215

Annual savings with Nearleap: $17,265

Best For: Matching Platform to Your Business

Choose Nearleap If You:

• Run a one-person or small operation
• Can't respond to leads within minutes
• Value profit margin over volume
• Want predictable marketing costs
• Prefer quality leads over quantity

Choose HomeAdvisor If You:

• Need high volume at any cost
• Can dedicate time to instant response
• Want built-in review system
• Are already using mHelpDesk
• Need maximum market visibility

Final Verdict

For handymen focused on profitability, Nearleap delivers dramatically better value. The exclusive lead model means higher close rates, fixed pricing means predictable costs, and no membership fees mean more money stays in your pocket.

HomeAdvisor works for handymen with the capacity and systems to respond instantly and who value brand recognition over cost efficiency. But for most handymen, the economics clearly favor Nearleap.

Recommendation: Start with Nearleap's Pro plan. Track your close rate and customer acquisition cost for 60 days. Most handymen find their costs drop by half or more compared to HomeAdvisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does HomeAdvisor's lead credit system work?

You must request credits within 30 days for provably bad leads (wrong number, already hired, etc.). The process requires documentation and isn't guaranteed. Many handymen report spending significant time on credit disputes.

Can I limit what types of handyman jobs I receive on either platform?

Both allow category preferences. Nearleap's system is more granular—you can exclude specific service types you don't offer rather than just broad categories.

What's the average response time needed to win HomeAdvisor leads?

Most handymen report needing to respond within 2-5 minutes to have a realistic chance. Leads responded to after 15-20 minutes are typically already claimed.

Do either platform offer recurring customer leads?

Nearleap treats all leads the same price, making recurring service relationships more profitable. HomeAdvisor charges more for higher-value leads, including those representing ongoing work.