This map will show you all the remodeling projects in Boston
Ever wonder why there has been a construction crew outside your window waking you up the past few weeks? BuildZoom is here to help answer that question.
The California-based firm analyzes trends in the construction industry with the goal “to help you find the perfect contractor for any job—commercial or residential.” In order to accomplish this goal, BuildZoom wants you to have as much data and information as possible.
Though BuildZoom has been a site for the past three years, it has just recently released a map that tracks every remodeling project in Boston, using data collected from the Building Department.
“BuildZoom is a marketplace for larger remodeling services and home improvement services,” founder Jiyan Wei told Boston.com. “We differentiate between maintenance work and more significant improvements that involve an alteration or an addition or construction of a property.”
Wei noted they track projects that require building permits, like moving a retaining wall or changing siding and roofing.
“What makes us different is our data first approach,” Wei added. “We mapped our contractors across the country using building permit data and licensure data.”
The map includes details like the contractor, cost, and a description of the work.
Why should people care about construction in their neighborhood?
Wei said one of the main purposes of BuildZoom is to connect people with contractors. Because of the map, “you can see what type of work the contractor has done,” Wei said.
But you don’t have to do all the work on your own, as BuildZoom will match you with a contractor with a good track record and one that fits your needs. You can search the site on your own, seeing data ranging from the contractor’s previous projects to specialties to a score BuildZoom gives them. You can also use a tool on the site to plug in info about your own specific project, and BuildZoom will tell you which contractor might best fit your needs.
If you use BuildZoom, you can get up to five bids and sign the contract to get the work started, along with communicating with and paying for your contractor.
“The traditional path would be the review option, [such as] Yelp or Angie’s List,” Wei said. “People are much more comfortable using those when the stakes aren’t as high.”
When it comes to something as important as altering your home, Wei believes the consumers need more information than just a review.
“They want factual and reliable information,” Wei said. “As we see more action in the marketplace, we can understand and track which contractors are responsive, do what they say they are going to do, and show up when they say they will show up.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com