Everything you need to know about GroundWork

What kind of work we match, how the process actually goes, answers to the questions people ask most, and how to get on board if you're a contractor.

Read FAQ Apply as a Contractor
$1M+
Liability coverage required of every contractor
4.0+
Minimum rating, with at least 10 verified reviews
2–3
Vetted bids you compare before deciding anything
$0
What it costs you to work with us (always)
How it works

From "I think we want to renovate" to bids in hand

No account to set up, no app to download. Just a conversation, then a short wait while we do the legwork.

1

Tell us about it

A quick form or a phone call, whatever's easier for you.

2

We talk it through

About 30 minutes to get your budget, timeline, and vision straight.

3

You get 2–3 bids

Vetted contractors who actually fit the job, competing for your work.

4

We stay in it

Check-ins through the project, and again once it's done.

Services

What kind of project can GroundWork help with?

If it's work on your house that calls for a licensed pro, there's a good chance we've got someone vetted for it. Before any contractor in our network sees one of your projects, we've already checked their license, confirmed they carry at least $1M in liability insurance, and called their references ourselves.

General Contracting

For projects big enough to need someone running point across multiple trades: whole-home renovations, room additions, that kind of scope.

AdditionsWhole-home remodelsMulti-trade projects

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

This is what most people come to us for: full gut renovations, layout changes, new cabinetry and countertops, fixture swaps.

Kitchen remodelsBathroom renovationsAging-in-place updates

Basements & Additions

Turning space you're not using into space you actually live in: finished basements, bonus rooms, in-law suites, home offices.

Basement finishingRoom additionsHome offices

Decks, Patios & Outdoor Living

Whether you're rebuilding a tired old deck or rethinking the whole backyard, this is where outdoor projects land.

DecksPatiosOutdoor kitchens

Roofing

Licensed roofing specialists who handle replacements, repairs, and inspections, and who can also walk you through an insurance claim if you're dealing with storm damage.

Roof replacementRepairsStorm damage

HVAC

Heating and cooling system replacement, installation, and major repairs from licensed and insured technicians.

Furnace replacementAC installationDuctwork

Plumbing

The kind of plumbing work that usually comes attached to a bigger renovation: repiping, new fixtures, water heater swaps.

RepipingWater heatersRenovation plumbing

Electrical

Panel upgrades, rewiring, and electrical work that's part of a larger renovation or addition project.

Panel upgradesRewiringEV charger installs

Windows, Siding & Exteriors

Exterior projects that improve curb appeal, energy efficiency, and home value.

Window replacementSidingExterior painting

Roughly what's your budget? Tap a range — and any project types above — and we'll carry them into your free match form for you.

Starter Renovation
$15K – $30K

Bathroom remodels, deck rebuilds, single-room updates

Mid-Size Project
$30K – $50K

Kitchen remodels, basement finishing, larger additions

Major Renovation
$50K – $80K+

Whole-home remodels, multi-room additions, luxury builds

What we don't cover, at least not yet

  • Small handyman jobs or one-off fixture repairs under roughly $5,000
  • Emergencies like burst pipes or a furnace that's out: call a licensed pro directly, don't wait on us
  • Commercial work or new construction
  • General advice or material-only purchases without an actual project attached
Not sure where yours falls? Tell us about it anyway. Worst case, we'll point you somewhere better — you'll hear back either way within a business day.
0 selected We'll carry these into your free match form so you have less to type
How We're Different

GroundWork vs. Angi vs. HomeAdvisor: what's actually different

Most lead-generation platforms sell your contact info to a list of contractors and call it "matching." Here's how GroundWork compares to the alternatives homeowners see most often.

Feature GroundWork Angi (HomeAdvisor) Finding Your Own Contractor
Cost to homeowner Free, always Free to browse; some services charge fees Free, but your time is the cost
How contractors are selected Handpicked: license, insurance, references, and an in-person or video interview before any lead is shared Self-registered; background check only You do the research yourself
Your contact info Stays private; we contact contractors on your behalf Sold to multiple contractors simultaneously Shared when you reach out
Number of bids 2–3 coordinated, comparable bids Multiple contractors contact you separately As many as you call
Someone in your corner Yes. GroundWork stays involved through project completion. No. The relationship ends at the lead handoff. No. You manage it alone.
Contractor minimum rating 4.0 stars / 10+ verified reviews required Varies; no published minimum Up to you to verify
Post-project follow-up Yes. GroundWork checks in at midpoint and completion. No No

The short version: platforms like Angi generate revenue by selling your contact information. GroundWork generates revenue only when you sign a contract with a contractor we introduced, so our incentive is to find you the right fit, not the most leads.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about how this works and what to expect as a homeowner.

For Homeowners

Yes. You never pay GroundWork anything — ever. We're paid by the contractor, not by you, so there's no cost or obligation on your end. You get free matching, vetting, and bid coordination from start to finish.

It's basically four steps. You tell us about your project through a quick form or a call. We get on the phone for about 30 minutes to understand your budget, timeline, and what you're going for. From there, we line up 2–3 vetted contractors who actually fit the job and bring back their bids. You pick who you want to work with — and we don't vanish after that. We stay involved through the project and check in once it's done.

Pretty thoroughly. Before anyone joins our network, we confirm they're licensed and carrying at least $1M in liability insurance, check that they're holding a 4.0+ rating with at least 10 reviews, sit down with them (in person or over video) to talk through how they work and what they can take on, and call at least three of their past homeowners ourselves — we don't just skim online reviews. They also sign a formal agreement with us before they ever see a project from GroundWork.

Because one option isn't really a choice — it's a take-it-or-leave-it. Putting 2–3 bids in front of you means you can actually compare price, approach, and who you click with before deciding anything. It also keeps everyone in our network sharp, since they know they're not the only one in the running. We're not going to steer you toward a "preferred" pick — that's not how this works.

Mostly bigger residential renovation work — generally somewhere in the $15,000 to $80,000+ range. Kitchens and bathrooms, additions, basements, roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, that sort of thing. The Services section above breaks it all down, including what we're not set up to handle right now.

Same business day, usually. From there we'll set up a 30-minute scope call, and most homeowners have their first bids in hand within a week or two — though that can stretch out a bit depending on how complex the project is and who's available.

No. We check in partway through the project and again once it's wrapped up. If something feels off along the way, you've got someone in your corner who isn't the one doing the work — which makes a real difference. Once you're happy with how it turned out, we'll also ask if you'd leave a Google review, since that's how the next homeowner finds their way to a contractor they can trust too.

Right now we're focused on Oakland County and the area around it — better to do one region well than spread ourselves thin trying to cover everywhere at once. If you're outside that area, send your project our way anyway. We're growing, and even if we can't take it on directly, we'll try to point you somewhere that can.

Are you a contractor?

Vetting requirements, partnership terms, and the application live on their own page, built specifically for contractors deciding whether to join the network.

Ready to get matched?

Tell us what you're working on. It takes about two minutes, costs nothing, and you could have real bids in hand within days.

Start My Free Consultation