Online tradesmen firm clocks up €1.8bn in business

12 Aug 2009

A service that connects consumers with qualified tradesmen from carpenters and electricians to plumbers has processed more than 220,000 home improvement projects since its launch three years ago.

Onlinetradesmen.com estimates the combined worth of these jobs to be in excess of €1.8bn.

The service has also experienced a significant increase in property owner activity over the last 12 months, with the number of home improvement projects submitted to it up by 63pc in Q1 2009 when compared to Q1 2008.

It was launched in 2005 with a view to removing the stress and uncertainty from Irish property owners in sourcing qualified trade professionals and to provide business support services to trade professionals.

It now also provides discounted tools and hardware to both audiences through its E-commerce platform Handyhardware.ie.

A web-based service, Onlinetradesmen.com provides property owners with online pricing estimates and start dates from a pool of over 11,000 qualified trade professionals nationwide for their exact project requirements, as well as providing them with a host of home improvement and project information such as contract templates, home improvement guides and more.

It is the only accredited service of its kind. Partnerships with RECI, the Royal Institute of Architects (RIAI), RGII (Register of Gas Installers of Ireland), The National Guild of Master Craftsmen Ireland and support from both FETAC and FAS ensure that its trade members are qualified.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com