[ibimage==33470==Large==none==self==ibimage_align-center]
It might be difficult to hop on the DIY home repair fad if you're rarely home. For LA-area homeowners who don't want to hire an expensive contractor, yet barely have time to pick up a hammer, the Sherman Oaks sharing-economy startup Serviz offers a middle-of-the-road option available at the touch of your fingertips.
Serviz was founded by Zorik Gordon and Michael Kline, formerly of ReachLocal. “The way consumers purchase home services today is fundamentally broken,” Gordon, the company's CEO, said in a statement. “Spending hours searching reviews, having no access to transparent pricing, booking over the phone and waiting all day for a technician to arrive creates a horrible customer experience. You need to be able to buy a plumber’s services just like you would buy a book online.”
[ibimage==33471==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-right]With a keen awareness of the sharing boom (most recently the national buzz around Washio) and a hefty list of contracts from their former gigs, Gordon and Kline provide access to hundreds of around-the-house services from pre-screened professionals, including painting, wiring, pest control, and more being added all the time. Appointments can be made easily throughtheir app and prices don't fluctuate. Consumers pay nothing until the work is completed to their satisfaction.
“Consumers have started to rethink the way they book and buy products and services," said Gordon. “We believe it is inevitable that all local services will be transacted this way, and we are excited to bring this change to the home services industry.”
Serviz, originally known as ClubLocal, raised $10.7 million early this year from Groupon and other investors, leading up to its official LA County launch last week. It has a staff of 20 in its Valley offices and plans to expand its service radius into Orange County and possibly beyond.
