Nearleap vs HomeAdvisor for Plumbers: Which Is Better?

HomeAdvisor has dominated the home services lead generation space for over two decades. Nearleap is challenging that dominance with a model designed around what contractors actually want: exclusive leads at fair prices. This comparison helps plumbers understand which platform will generate better returns.

Why This Comparison Matters for Plumbers

HomeAdvisor's parent company ANGI Homeservices spent over $500 million on advertising to build consumer awareness. That brand recognition comes at a cost - and that cost is passed to professionals through fees, lead prices, and contracts.

Nearleap represents a different approach: lower overhead, exclusive leads, transparent pricing. But can a newer platform deliver the lead volume you need?

Let's break down the numbers for a plumber averaging $350 per job.

Platform Overview

Nearleap

Nearleap was built by people who understood the contractor frustrations with legacy lead platforms:

• Being forced to compete for shared leads
• Unpredictable pricing that varies by the day
• Annual contracts with automatic renewals
• Hidden fees that inflate true costs

The Nearleap solution:

• Fixed pricing: $19-25 per lead depending on plan
• 100% exclusive leads
• Month-to-month subscriptions
• Transparent terms with no hidden costs

HomeAdvisor

HomeAdvisor (owned by ANGI Homeservices, same parent as Angi) operates the largest home services marketplace. The platform charges:

• Monthly subscription fee
• Variable per-lead costs
• Leads shared with 3-4 professionals

HomeAdvisor's scale means high lead volume, but the shared lead model means you're always competing.

Pricing Deep Dive

Nearleap Pricing Structure

Pro Plan: $25/lead

• Monthly subscription for 5-55 leads
• Example: 20 leads = $500/month
• Overage: $35/lead
• 1.6x rollover on unused credits

Business Plan: $22/lead

• Verified badge for trust
• Priority placement
• Overage: $30/lead
• 2x rollover

Enterprise Plan: $19/lead

• Top search placement
• Dedicated support
• Overage: $25/lead
• 2.4x rollover

Total monthly cost is predictable: leads × rate = total.

HomeAdvisor Pricing Structure

HomeAdvisor's pricing has multiple layers:

Monthly Subscription:

• Basic: $300-350/year (roughly $28/month)
• This is just for platform access

Per-Lead Costs (the real expense):

• Standard plumbing leads: $15-35
• Water heater/installation: $30-60
• Remodeling leads: $50-100
• Emergency leads: Premium pricing

The Shared Lead Factor: Each lead goes to 3-4 plumbers. If you're paying $40 for a lead that three others also received, and only one of you wins the job, you've effectively paid $160 for that customer (assuming equal close rates).

Hidden Costs:

• Opportunity leads (lower intent): $8-15 each, often low quality
• mHelpDesk integration fees
• Profile enhancement charges
• Win rate optimization services

Many plumbers report monthly HomeAdvisor bills of $800-2,000 with customer acquisition costs exceeding $200.

ROI Calculation Example

Monthly Scenario: Plumber Seeking 8 New Customers

Nearleap (Pro Plan):

• Leads needed at 40% conversion: 20
• Cost: 20 × $25 = $500
• Customers acquired: 8
• Revenue: $2,800
• Cost per customer: $62.50
• ROI: 460%

HomeAdvisor:

• Monthly fee: $28
• Leads needed at 20% conversion (shared): 40
• Average lead cost: $35
• Lead spend: $1,400
• Total cost: $1,428
• Customers acquired: 8
• Revenue: $2,800
• Cost per customer: $178.50
• ROI: 96%

Nearleap delivers 4.8x better ROI in this scenario.

Lead Quality Analysis

How Nearleap Generates Leads

Nearleap uses targeted acquisition:

• Local SEO pages ranking for "plumber near me" searches
• Google and Facebook advertising to homeowners
• Content marketing partnerships
• Geographic targeting to your service area

Quality controls:

• Phone verification before delivery
• Required job details
• Customer intent qualification
• Geographic matching

You receive leads exclusively - no competition from other plumbers on the same customer.

How HomeAdvisor Generates Leads

HomeAdvisor's massive ad spend drives consumer volume:

• National TV advertising
• Google and social media campaigns
• HomeAdvisor.com organic traffic
• Partnerships with real estate and home warranty companies

Quality issues reported by plumbers:

• "Opportunity leads" with low intent
• Leads outside stated service areas
• Customers who already hired someone
• Contact info that doesn't work
• Duplicate charges for the same lead

HomeAdvisor's volume-first approach means quality varies significantly.

User Experience

Nearleap Platform

The professional dashboard focuses on speed:

• Instant lead notifications
• One-click calling
• Full contact details immediately visible
• Clean mobile interface
• Simple subscription controls

Time required: Minutes per day to review and contact leads.

HomeAdvisor Platform

The HomeAdvisor Pro dashboard includes:

• Lead inbox with filtering
• Spend management tools
• Profile and review management
• mHelpDesk CRM integration (paid)
• Analytics and reporting

Challenges:

• Must respond within minutes to compete
• Lead settings require careful management
• Pause/spending controls often confuse users
• Shared leads require quick, persuasive responses

Time required: Significant daily attention to maximize results.

Pros and Cons

Nearleap Pros

• Fixed, predictable pricing
• 100% exclusive leads
• No monthly platform fee beyond lead cost
• No annual contracts
• Higher conversion rates
• Credit rollover protection

Nearleap Cons

• Smaller lead volume in some markets
• Less consumer brand awareness
• Newer platform history
• Building review ecosystem

HomeAdvisor Pros

• Massive consumer awareness
• High lead volume available
• Established since 1998
• Comprehensive business tools
• Wide geographic coverage

HomeAdvisor Cons

• Leads shared with 3-4 competitors
• Variable pricing creates budget uncertainty
• Monthly fee plus per-lead charges
• Lead quality inconsistencies
• Aggressive sales tactics reported
• Contract disputes common

Real Cost Comparison: Quarterly Analysis

A Plumbing Business Running Both Platforms for 3 Months

Nearleap Performance:

• Monthly spend: $625 (25 leads at $25)
• Quarterly total: $1,875
• Total leads: 75
• Conversion rate: 40%
• Customers: 30
• Revenue: $10,500
• Cost per customer: $62.50

HomeAdvisor Performance:

• Monthly fee: $84 ($28 × 3)
• Lead spend: $2,700 (avg 25 leads/month at $36 each)
• Quarterly total: $2,784
• Total leads: 75
• Conversion rate: 18% (shared leads)
• Customers: 13.5 (round to 14)
• Revenue: $4,900
• Cost per customer: $199

Quarterly Difference: Nearleap delivers 16 more customers for $909 less spend.

Best For: Which Platform Suits Your Business?

Nearleap is Best For:

• Plumbers who track their cost per customer
• Businesses wanting to maximize marketing ROI
• Professionals who dislike competing for leads
• Those who've been burned by HomeAdvisor costs
• Plumbers prioritizing quality over quantity

HomeAdvisor is Best For:

• Large operations that can handle high lead volume
• Businesses with dedicated sales staff
• Plumbers in markets where Nearleap coverage is limited
• Companies that prioritize brand association
• Those comfortable with variable marketing costs

Final Verdict

For most plumbers, Nearleap represents the smarter investment.

HomeAdvisor's shared lead model fundamentally works against the professional. When you're competing against 3-4 other plumbers, each paying $30-50 for the same lead, someone is going to lose. Usually multiple someones. The platform profits regardless of who wins.

Nearleap's exclusive model aligns platform and professional interests. You pay for leads that are yours alone. No racing to respond. No undercutting competitors. Just direct contact with customers who need your services.

The cost difference is substantial. Our analysis shows plumbers can expect to pay 2-3x more per customer acquisition on HomeAdvisor compared to Nearleap.

Our Recommendation: If you're currently spending money on HomeAdvisor, run a side-by-side comparison. Use Nearleap's 14-day free trial while maintaining your HomeAdvisor account. Track cost per customer acquired on each platform. The data will make your decision clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HomeAdvisor the same as Angi?

HomeAdvisor and Angi are both owned by ANGI Homeservices. They've been integrating their platforms, but currently operate somewhat independently. The pricing models are similar.

Can I dispute leads on both platforms?

Yes. Nearleap allows disputes 3-10 days after delivery for leads with invalid contact info or outside your service area. HomeAdvisor also has a dispute process, though many plumbers report it's difficult to get credits approved.

What about HomeAdvisor's "Lead Credit" feature?

HomeAdvisor offers credits for certain bad leads, but the process requires documentation and often faces pushback. The burden of proof falls on the professional.

Does Nearleap offer as many leads as HomeAdvisor?

HomeAdvisor's massive ad spend does generate more raw leads. However, lead quality and exclusivity matter more than volume. 20 exclusive Nearleap leads typically outperform 50 shared HomeAdvisor leads.