TOTV or Angie's list?

[Suzi]

Been on TOTV for almost 2 years and have learned a great deal. I have posted a couple of times for someone to recommend a business/person to build a closet, put together 3 big cabinets from Home Depot and build 2 work surfaces in our laundry room. I have received only 1 response (thank you) but I need MORE feedback. Do I need to go to Angie's list? They are offering me a discount - but I have always relied on TOTV for great information. Someone out there must have had similar work done.....share your experience, please!

[Bonanza]

Been on TOTV for almost 2 years and have learned a great deal. I have posted a couple of times for someone to recommend a business/person to build a closet, put together 3 big cabinets from Home Depot and build 2 work surfaces in our laundry room. I have received only 1 response (thank you) but I need MORE feedback. Do I need to go to Angie's list? They are offering me a discount - but I have always relied on TOTV for great information. Someone out there must have had similar work done.....share your experience, please!

I have been on Angie's List for a couple of years now and believe the combination of her list and this site together are a good, sound combination. If ever you are in doubt, take Angie's recommendation and ask viewers here on TOTV if they are familiar with the person or company.

[2BNTV]

I have been on Angie's List for a couple of years now and believe the combination of her list and this site together are a good, sound combination. If ever you are in doubt, take Angie's recommendation and ask viewers here on TOTV if they are familiar with the person or company.

:agree:

I would also ask my neighbors for recommendations, as they have experience with all types of contractors, and know who does great work, at reasonable prices.

I know I have saved a lot of money, but following their recommendations.

Sorry that I don't have a recommendation for you. :(

[kfierle]

Try contacting Alan Byer. He advertises on this site as AAA Handyman Services. If he is not able to do what you need done, he will let you know. Call him at 352-205-7504. I have used him many times and am always pleased with his work.

[Bonnevie]

I wish more people would use Angie's List. I like that the users give the cost of the project as well as the review. That way, I could see in advance if something was going to be within my budget. Since the user described the project in detail, you could assess the price.

[looneycat]

I don't pay for opinions, people who give info to paid subscription lists often have many motives for their posted data and recommendations. I prefer local experiential data such as that found in the proper sections of TOTV.

[eweissenbach]

There is a TOTV poster who goes by the screen name handieman who used to post a lot, and was highly recommended by people he worked for. I do not know him so I have no reason to recommend or not recommend him.

[Bonnevie]

all I know is that whenever I mentioned Angie's List in my initial call, people always callback right away. It was a powerful motivator for them to do a good job because the service was used a lot in the area I came from.

[John_W]

I had 20 pages of notes from two years on this board before moving to TV. I never joined TOTV until we moved here, didn't need to, the greatest way of finding information is not to start a new thread but use the search button at the top of the page.

From my searches three years ago I found Tim 'The Toolman' Miller and for us he did everything from pull down attic steps to a peep hole in the front door, hand pulls on kitchen cabinets. In fact my master closet was doubled in size for only $150. Tim lowered my shelves and added duplicate rows above and his price included materials, labor, and patching holes and he was done in an hour and half.

I just did a search for Tim the toolman and found 43 threads with his name mentioned, and I bet not one negative response. Here's one https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/contractors-services-91/tim-toolman-47325/

Tim the Toolman 352-217-0561, although you might have to wait a week or more, he is always busy.

[downeaster]

I have good success calling the Warranty Department. They are familiar with a lot of subs and they are careful who they recommend.

[graciegirl]

i have good success calling the warranty department. They are familiar with a lot of subs and they are careful who they recommend.



Me too!

[JC and John]

I have been on Angie's List for a couple of years now and believe the combination of her list and this site together are a good, sound combination. If ever you are in doubt, take Angie's recommendation and ask viewers here on TOTV if they are familiar with the person or company.

I also use a combination of Angie's List and TOTV. Angie's list was way more helpful when I used it while living the Washington DC area. The list of services is a bit lacking for TV because Angie's List is geared more for large cities and metropolitan areas. I am happy with a combination of both along with friend referrals. Sorry I can't help the OP with referrals for the things she mentions. Hopefully others posters can.

[youngretiree]

About Angie's list - My brother and I inherited a business when our Dad died unexpectantly. Angie's list is hassling us to pay for service that would help us get more reviews. It is called the "Fetch a Review program". I knew something was weird when the guy on the phone told us that we only have 2 reviews and asked us if we know about some similar company in Orlando that has 20 reviews. I think this is totally SLEEZY because you could have your friends go on there and post and because you are artificially creating more reviews. They even offer to call your client list and match it with their member list and put their review on Angie's list. I had a contractor offer to give me an extra year's warrantee if I would post on Angie's list and 2 other places!!

[rubicon]

Given this day and age one needs to approach such recommendations carefully. My neighbors were talking about painting homes when one mentioned that the person who warranted his paint job for life is not in business any longer

[Waverunner]

We joined this forum late last year, around the time we purchased our home in TV. We hired a contractor, based on the great reviews that were on this site. We personally had a less than satisfactory experience. About two months later, we saw a negative review for this contractor, and, at that time, we decided to add to his review about our personal experience. Others then added to the thread, countering our experiences with their positive experiences. Even the contractor added his experience with both (negative) reviewers.

That posting is no longer on TOTV. The threads were civil and to the point, (no abuse), so we have to wonder, if a contractor gets a negative review on TOTV, how it disappears, and, based on that, if you do a search, whether you actually get both good and bad reviews. I love this site, but it makes me want to do a lot more research before I hire a contractor.

[villager]

We used Artie Lanzer of Sttaf Installantions to move a cabinet to accommodate a larger refrigerator. We were extremely pleased with his work.

[Bonnevie]

I wish more people used Angies List. I've always had good luck with it where I came from. I use it here but it's not as extensive. I like it because people put down what they actually paid for the service which helps when getting estimates--knowing what the ballpark should be. Also, every time I tell a company I got there name off Angies List, I get immediate call backs.

[villagetinker]

I specifically joined Angie's list before moving to TV, to find a suitable mover. The results were a DISASTER.....The 'mover' had stellar reviews, and when I contacted him had all of the capabilities I needed. That was the last I heard from him. 2 months before our move, I was looking for another mover. I dropped my Angie's list membership, especially when I found out I had to pay an additional fee to transfer membership to Florida. I take all of the TOV reviews and comments 'with a grain of salt' and I expect others to do the same with this one. Everyone has good and bad comments about the same entities.
Just my thoughts.

[TOTV Team]

We joined this forum late last year, around the time we purchased our home in TV. We hired a contractor, based on the great reviews that were on this site. We personally had a less than satisfactory experience. About two months later, we saw a negative review for this contractor, and, at that time, we decided to add to his review about our personal experience. Others then added to the thread, countering our experiences with their positive experiences. Even the contractor added his experience with both (negative) reviewers.

That posting is no longer on TOTV. The threads were civil and to the point, (no abuse), so we have to wonder, if a contractor gets a negative review on TOTV, how it disappears, and, based on that, if you do a search, whether you actually get both good and bad reviews. I love this site, but it makes me want to do a lot more research before I hire a contractor.

Per the site rules and terms of service and the instructions on the Contractor and Service section a new user must have at least 10 post before commenting on a contractor or service or the post is removed. This is to ensure some level of credibility vs. a disgruntled employee posting as an unhappy customer. The more post a user has the more credible their comments will be taken.

[2BNTV]

I have never used Angie's list as the people on TOTV have made recommendations, that were great. I tend to use the contractors that people I trust have used, and the results were always satisfactory.

For home repair and upgrades, I use Don Cunningham, as he does almost everything. If he doesn't, he recommends someone who will do the function, you need. A valuable resource in itself.

Came today to do some repairs/upgrades and found out he installs stereo systems and speakers. He will be back next week to mount my televisions to the wall and hide the wires, plus a stereo system and recessed speakers.

Don is da Man!!!!..... and a sponsor on TOTV.

[TOTV Team]

We would also recommend as many users have commented to use various and multiple sources for educating yourself on who to use. Even some of the best companies can have an off day but we encourage you to do as much research on TOTV as well as other credible sources to make the best decision possible.

TOTV recently added a Contractors/Review section to add value to the businesses that are listed as only users can give a star rating and leave comments regarding their experiences. We hope that this is an improved way and resource for researching contractors and services in The Villages.