Hello butler links homeowners with qualified tradespeople in the neighbourhood
Already with 10,000 users in Metro Vancouver, the app recently launched smart home and security services
In 2016, Jungang (Kenny) Gu tried to solve the collective headaches of two distinct groups of people.
“I’m a builder, and I saw a lot of frustration on the market from homeowners,” says Gu. “People usually look for tradespeople in Yellowpages, the Better Business Bureau, or Google. The problem is there are limited ways to verify if a contractor is certified, licensed, or insured to do the job. Pricing is also not transparent.
“On the contractor side, Vancouver traffic is bad. Contractors don’t like to waste time on the road, and it can get added to service charges for customers.”
Hellobutler is Gu’s attempt to solve both sets of problems. In testing, the app has helped 10,000 homeowners across Metro Vancouver find qualified tradespeople on short notice at a fair price. And it’s now available to anyone.
Hellobutler allows homeowners to find qualified, reliable tradespeople in as a little as 15 minutes. Before they submit a service request, users also see a price table that displays the average cost of the service in the market. They also see a formal quote from their tradesperson before work begins.
For tradespeople, the app finds them customers that are as close as possible, so they spend less time in traffic and more time working their crafts. The app also allows users to upload pictures and videos for tradespeople to assess the job before they arrive to cut down on extra trips to buy tools or supplies.
This has proven to be a winning combination across Metro Vancouver.
“We can reach far east as Maple Ridge or Chilliwack, south to Surrey and north to Whistler,” says Gu.
Even the pandemic didn’t present a lasting obstacle. Traffic on the app did dip after the initial outbreak of COVID-19, Gu says, but after making several changes to help customers and tradespeople both stay safe—like requiring masking, social distancing, and liberal use of hand sanitizer—usage of Hellobutler is now near pre-pandemic levels.
Gu and his team are very excited for the app’s full roll out, especially since they’ve recently added new features like an integrated “smart home” and security service, a system for detecting and preventing water leaks, and a membership program Gu describes as similar to BCAA but for your house.
“After four years of trial and improvements, we feel like we’re ready to take the next step forward,” says Gu. “We want more people to give Hellobutler a try, see if they like it, and give us feedback.”
Head to Hellobutler.com to learn more or download the app on your smartphone today.