How important are reviews?

11 years ago

We know that when hiring professionals, homeowners consider reviews and ratings the most important hiring criteria. But it's one thing reading reviews and another leaving them.

Do you always leave a review after hiring someone? And what about when you go out for dinner, stay in a hotel, take a taxi, download an app? How important are reviews to you?

Lavender Cottage - Craft Room · More Info

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PRO

OnePlan

11 years ago

When you are considering hiring a pro that's on Houzz - you can not only read reviews from past clients on their pro page, but sometimes you can read their 'activity' too ! So you can see if they are generous with their time and experience, by contributing to the threads or answering photo questions - maybe even getting an insight to their personality a little, if you read some of the posts they type ! Gives a whole new meaning to review - more of a window into their office !!!
Another reason to simply love Houzz !!

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Comments (16)

PRO
Amber Jeavons
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hello Emmeline,

Reviews are fantastic, happy clients! Equally important are looking at site or possible range and versatility..... Conversation!!

Not everyone leaves a review and prompting people to do so may not be the right etiquette.. 5 vs 1 should not sway any potential hiring.. . Reviews.. maybe in part but not the deciding factor alone.. At least not for me.. I decide for myself by seeing and speaking.. : ))
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User
11 years ago
Yep, I read reviews, but calculate the average.
Emmanuelle
11 years ago
Leave reviews when exceptionally brilliant or exceptionally bad, I am afraid! I also read reviews, but to me, word of mouth is the best!
nudejude
11 years ago
I do like to read reviews, although sometimes it's hard to work out if the balance comes out in favour or not as people are only too willing to leave a review if they have a bad story to tell, but often can't be bothered if service is OK. However, if all reviews are good or bad then it's a 'no brainer' as they say.
ash4711
11 years ago
I always read reviews. One company with good reviews approached me when I posted a job on one of the recommended "trade" sites. They said it was possible to lay quartz tiles over laminate, and as they were professionals I believed them. They appeared to do a good job and were nice people so I gave them excellent feedback. Four weeks later the grouting started to crack so they came back and re-did it and the same thing happened again but this time they ignored me. Obviously they didn't deserve the good review I gave them.
laird_carol
11 years ago
I also always read reviews. However I also do my homework and know what the job will entail before I ever hire anyone. An internet search tells all. What did we ever do before the internet?
PRO
Amber Jeavons
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hello ash4711 and Laird,

Think both your points are really valid..Conversation too is key... I too have hired people to do works for me and thought lovely and nice and lots of good reviews...

In the end I knew more about the job than they did.. Job was appalling and far below the standard that I expect... (I am a perfectionist) but believe in providing the most exceptional job possible. Adaptability is also key as trade professionals often have 1 idea and cannot adapt, also seem to think it's just a job... In the end I had to finish the work myself... :))
User
11 years ago
If I had to choose between hiring someone on reviews or on how I observed them treating posters on dilemmas, I would weight the latter more highly. I'm not the only Houzzer to have pointed that out.
User
11 years ago
Reviews are great and they definitely sway my choices. However, what also really makes a difference is 'service'. Things can go awry and it's the manner in which a company reacts that will have me raving or raging. I always try to leave reviews good & bad because I think they're helpful to others.
pavinia
11 years ago
I'm a firm believer in reviews. I refer to them in every walk of life, whether it be an exhibition, book, online recipe, hotel, restaurant, and last but not least, hiring a professional!
alant1000
11 years ago
I always read reviews and use checkatrade for everything now, I've had no problems at all ever.

I think reviews can paint a somewhat more rosy picture though - for example I suspect most people feel more comfortable leaving a really good review (if they got ok or good service) than a bad review if something went wrong - people are simply too polite or nice to give honest feedback when things aren't perfect, especially if you get along with the tradesman. So, you might have 100 customers, 80 liked it and left a positive review, 20 were not so impressed and I doubt you'd have 20 negative reviews, maybe 3 or 4 at best.
ash4711
11 years ago
Well done Alant1000 having no problems with checkatrade. The brilliant workmen I am now using don't rate these companies. They were with them for a year, but allegedly you pay £1000 upfront to join up and that's it, they never check your work or anything else. I guess you can't really beat a verbal recommendation.
Ruth Payot
11 years ago
to give complementary
Amber Griffiths
9 years ago
My negative review was taken off the Houzz website at the request of the company I had reviewed, it was an honest, factual review. I believe this to be totally unfair, a review should be about experiences, good or bad! As we are involved in legal proceedings with the company I reviewed, this for some reason made my review different? Smarta Construction in Cardiff need to be acceptable of negative reviews when warranted! Amber Griffiths
Lucy Goodman
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I belive reviews are important but only if the site hosting them demonstrates integrity. Trustpilot does this but I've come to understand that Houzz does not, Houzz appear to filter out bad reviews. I tried to post a negative review of a Houzz Pro and it has never seen the light of day! I also emailed Houzz about this but got no answer. I have seen at least two other posts (one within this thread) saying the same thing. I therefore I don't recommend placing any value on Houzz reviews,

How important are reviews?

OnePlan

Comments (16)

Amber Jeavons

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