HUS direct vs HomeAdvisor / Angi / Yelp.
Lead-gen platforms charge contractors $20-$120 per lead — and that fee gets passed to you in the quote. Honest 2026 breakdown of what you actually save by contacting Home Upgrade Specialist direct.
How lead-gen actually works.
When you submit a request through HomeAdvisor, Angi, or Yelp, the platform sells that request as a “lead” to multiple contractors. Each contractor pays the platform a per-lead fee, which varies by category:
| Platform | Category | Typical lead fee (paid by contractor) |
|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor | HVAC install | $50-$120 |
| HomeAdvisor | Solar install | $80-$150 |
| HomeAdvisor | Roof replacement | $60-$100 |
| Angi (formerly Angie’s List) | HVAC/Solar | $40-$90 |
| Yelp | Monthly subscription ($300-$1,500/mo) + featured listing fees | Effective $25-$100/lead |
| Thumbtack | HVAC/Solar | $20-$60 |
The platforms typically sell the same lead to 3-5 contractors simultaneously. So a single $80 lead generates $240-$400 in platform revenue. The platform makes its money before you even get a quote.
Where does this fee come from? The contractor’s quote. A $20,000 HVAC install through HomeAdvisor includes the $50-$120 lead fee built into the price. Multiplied by the 3-5 leads it took the contractor to win your project (most lead-gen platforms have ~25% close rates), the effective lead-acquisition cost can hit $400+ — all baked into your final price.
Side-by-side.
| Dimension | HomeAdvisor / Angi / Yelp | Home Upgrade Specialist (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-fee markup in quote | $200-$500 typical | $0 |
| How many contractors get your info | 3-5 simultaneously | Only HUS |
| Spam calls/emails after submission | 5-15 over 7 days | One follow-up if you don’t respond |
| Contractor vetting | Basic background + license check | Tesla Certified Premium + BBB A+ + Enphase Platinum (independently verifiable) |
| Service scope | Single-trade matching (separate leads for HVAC + solar) | Combined HVAC + solar + battery + roof + EV under one contract |
| Rebate filing | Contractor-dependent (usually customer files) | HUS files every rebate |
| Warranty backing | Contractor’s individual warranty (varies) | 10-year HUS-backed workmanship |
When HomeAdvisor / Yelp is the right move.
- ✓Quick simple jobs — minor repairs, drain cleaning, small handyman tasks where the lead-fee markup is proportionally smaller
- ✓You’re new to LA and don’t know any contractors — platforms give you a shortlist as a starting point (but cross-verify against CSLB before signing anything)
- ✓You want anonymous browsing — Yelp lets you read reviews without giving up contact info upfront
When HUS direct is the better choice.
- ✓Large project ($10K+) — lead-fee markup matters more on larger projects (HVAC, solar, full system installs)
- ✓Combined-trade project — platforms can’t match you with a contractor that does all five trades; you’d need 3-5 separate platform searches
- ✓You want one accountable contractor — direct contact means one point of contact, one contract, one warranty
- ✓You want to verify credentials independently — CSLB license #1031989 / #1055444 publicly verifiable; Tesla Premium Installer status verifiable on Tesla’s website
Get the direct quote.
No platform middleman. No lead-fee markup. No 5 contractors calling at once. Just Home Upgrade Specialist — Tesla Certified Premium Installer, serving LA homeowners since 2005.
How to verify any contractor yourself.
Don’t rely on platform vetting. Three free verifications anyone can do:
- 1CSLB license search — cslb.ca.gov shows license status, classifications, bond, and complaint history
- 2BBB profile — bbb.org shows accreditation, complaint resolution, and customer reviews independent of paid platforms
- 3Manufacturer certification — Tesla Premium Installer status verifiable at tesla.com/findus; Enphase Platinum status at enphase.com
