What are Reviews?
As a homeowner, you have likely required the services of one or more contractors. Going through the yellowpages, or searching with google can yield hundreds of results. It can be very difficult to find a good contractor in this extensive list. The foundation of RenoRaters.com is “word of mouth” feedback from homeowners. Homeowners are able to post reviews on businesses, and can even provide photo evidence. By providing one source of reviews for businesses, we provide accountability to our contractors, and our community will increase the overall quality of home contractors.
Reviews are a way for homeowners to get other homeowner's opinions on work they have had completed. For example, if Jane had her basement developed, she could leave an evaluation for the business that did the work. Then, George who was looking for a basement developer could read the review and determine if he wanted to use the company that did Jane's basement. Remember though, reviews without photo evidence are simply opinions!!! To help provide facts, RenoRaters does allow photographs to be submitted with reviews. In order to provide two sides to the story, a business can respond to reviews as well.
How reviews work?
Leaving a review is free. However, RenoRaters requires that you create a user account in order to leave a review; by requiring an account, we prevent many misleading reviews that may normally be left, giving you more confidence in the reviews on the site. You can leave a simple numerical rating, enter a comment, or even submit photos of the work that you are reviewing!
How do I leave a review?
To leave a review, you must find the business you wish to review. There are three ways to find your business:
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On the main menu, click 'Business Listings' and browse the listings until you find the business you wish to review. Click 'Write a Review' to the right of the business name to leave a review.
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On the top right of the page, enter the business name in the search box and click 'Go' to see if the business is in our listings. Click 'Write a Review' below the business name to leave a review.
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In the drop-down besides the search box, select 'Advanced Search'. Enter a keyword, a category, and even a distance from your current location (shown at the top right of our site), and then click 'Submit' to see the search results. Click 'Write a Review' to the right of the business name to leave a review.
If you are unable to find the business you wish to review, please add it to our site. At the top of the search results and at the top of the business listings, you will see a 'Add Business' link. Here you can add a few details about the business. After adding the business, you will be able to leave a review.
Remember, you may leave an 'anonymous' review, but to prevent false reviews, an adminstrator will need to approve your review before it is posted for the pulic.
Why does submitting a review require login?
Yes, we do prefer that you create an account to leave a review; however, we also offer the ability to leave anonymous reviews should you not want to create an account.
One of the largest issues with on-line review websites is that many of the reviews are generated by stakeholders in the product, or even by the site itself. By requiring a user account in order to leave a review, you can be assured that every review left on RenoRaters.com is accurate, with the review poster being accountable to their review.
How Reviews benefit Home Owners?
Home Owners can read reviews before selecting a business to perform work. By reading reviews they can get awareness of the work-history of that business before agreeing to the work. Reviews reduce the risk of poor performance by a business owner during your renovations! By providing a forum to leave reviews, contractors become accountable for their work. Poor performers are quickly identified, while the stars of home renovation quickly shine and stand-out. Over time, our growing community will see an increase in the overall quality of home construction and renovation.
How Reviews benefit business owners?
As a business, by focusing on customer service and quality workmanship, you can grow your business rapidly through word of mouth. Remember, for every positive review, there are likely to be ten negative reviews.
To encourage your customers to take the time to leave a review, RenoRaters suggests that you offer discounts on future work in exchange for leaving a review (positive or negative of course) on RenoRaters.
