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Edmonton app matches home improvement projects with contractors

Click to play video: 'Edmonton company creates virtual help wanted app for home renovations'
Edmonton company creates virtual help wanted app for home renovations
WATCH ABOVE: A local company has created what could be described as a virtual help wanted board for home renovations and repairs. It's an app called TradePros. Emily Mertz has the details – Jun 23, 2016

The creator of TradePros describes it as the Uber or AirBnB of trades. Using the app, people can post home improvement work they need completed and contractors in the area will bid on the jobs.

“You’d post your job in one of our categories and you’d say exactly what you wanted by answering a few simple questions, uploading some photos of the job or the work area, entering a location, and that goes to all the professionals who offer that service in your area,” TradePros co-founder and CEO, Drew Currah, said.

The user can then read reviews of the companies, compare price estimates and select the contractor for the job.

“You get notified and you can see the companies that basically want to do your project,” Currah explained.

“It’s up to you who you want to hire. You can see all the companies’ profiles, their ratings and thier reviews and decide who’s best for you to hire.”

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Currah, along with two developers, created the app. He came up with the idea when his mom was flipping houses and needed different jobs done on properties.

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“We have contractors ranging from electrical companies to plumbing companies, pest control, literally anything,” he said. “We have around 105 companies right now and we’re getting more and more signups every day.”

READ MORE: Shovelling app puts snow removal at Edmontonians’ fingertips 

TradePros‘ creators believe it will help new companies build a client base while helping more established companies continue to find work during a somewhat slower economy.

“We’ve had a lot of people sign up and say they’ve just started a business and they’re looking for new ways – and cheap ways – to get their company out there,” Currah said. “These are perfect companies for us and also the companies who are looking for work and establishing new client bases.”

READ MORE: UberEats aims to take big bite out of Edmonton food delivery competition 

Currah says there’s no doubt there’s work out there for those in the trades. The app has already matched over 30 projects.

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“CIBC released a report yesterday saying that Alberta actually has the highest renovation spending planned for 2016 – this was around $10,000 more than other provinces.”

TradePros hopes to match that demand with supply – with just a few clicks.

The free app launched on June 6 and is available through Google Play and the Apple Store.

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