Both Porch Premium and LawnStarter Pro offer valuable services, but they cater to different needs. Porch Premium is better suited for a wide range of home improvement and repair tasks, while LawnStarter Pro excels in providing convenient and reliable outdoor services. LawnStarter Pro's transparent pricing and easy scheduling give it an edge in user experience, but Porch Premium's 24/7 customer support could be a deciding factor for some users.
| Attribute | Porch Premium | LawnStarter Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Service Area Coverage | Nationwide network, including Raleigh and surrounding areas like Wake Forest, Apex, Morrisville, Clayton, North Raleigh, Youngsville, and Holly Springs. | Available in over 3,000 cities across more than 300 markets nationwide, including major cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and San Diego. |
| Types of Home Services Offered | Handyman services, installation, assembly, repair, maintenance, moving-related services, and home improvement. Includes furniture assembly, appliance installation, TV mounting, remodeling, roofing, and carpeting. | Offers a variety of outdoor services, including lawn mowing, fertilization, aeration, landscaping, tree trimming, leaf removal, pest control, pressure washing, fence installation and repair, gutter cleaning, and pool maintenance. They offer 25 services through their app. |
| Subscription Tiers and Pricing | Offered to home improvement professionals through a monthly subscription with no contract or hidden fees. In 2014, Porch Premium started at $50/month. Professionals could target specific neighborhoods through zip code ownership. | LawnStarter often has a $19 mowing special for first-time customers. After the initial offer, most customers pay between $39 and $55 per mow. The exact price depends on lawn size and service frequency. A long grass fee might apply if the lawn is significantly overgrown (over 9 inches). |
| Onboarding Process and Ease of Use | Porch sales specialists onboarded professionals and walked them through the Porch Premium Service. | Users can get an instant price by entering their address on the LawnStarter homepage or mobile app. Scheduling can be done completely online or over the phone in less than 2 minutes. 9 out of 10 customers have availability within 48 hours. The LawnStarter app allows users to schedule or skip services, message their pro, track when they're coming, pay automatically, rate services, and add extra services. |
| Background Checks for Service Providers | Porch Services professionals undergo background checks. Company owners must pass a criminal background check to earn an owner background check badge. Background re-checks are run once a year on all pros with the owner background check badge. | LawnStarter strives to partner with top local professionals. LawnStarter prescreens contractors to weed out "fly by nighters". |
| Insurance Coverage and Liability Protection | Porch offers a 'Porch Guarantee,' including a 'Porch Property Protection' program providing up to $1,000 against losses from deposits paid to the pro or property damages. Homeowner's insurance can cover the home, other structures, personal property, and additional expenses. Liability coverage protects against legal actions for bodily injury or property damage. | Every visit is backed by $2 million in property protection. LawnStarter requires its professionals to carry liability insurance. Lawn care insurance can protect against property damage, accidents, equipment failure, and lawsuits. |
| Customer Support Availability and Responsiveness | 24/7 customer support via phone or email. | Customer support can be contacted by calling 1-866-822-1766 during business hours. Live chat is also available during phone support hours. Customer support is available 7 days a week. Spring/Summer hours for phone and chat support are Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM CST, and Saturday & Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. |
| Quality Guarantee and Resolution Process | Porch Services has a 'Satisfaction Promise'. If work doesn't meet expectations, Porch will try to make it right or provide a full refund up to the original cost of the job. Claims can be submitted to the Project Coordinator team, by calling 1-800-604-2453, or emailing guarantee@porch.com. Porch may arrange for the original provider or a replacement to redo the work. | LawnStarter has a "Done Right Guarantee". If anything is off, customers should notify LawnStarter within 5 days, and they will re-mow or refund the service. 95% of services satisfy the customer, and the guarantee kicks in for the other 5%. |
| Scheduling Flexibility and Customization | Professionals can define their service area and service types and update them anytime. | Customers can pick a date that fits their schedule. Services can be easily skipped or rescheduled with one tap. Customers are asked to provide gate codes or special notes in their account to help the Pro access the yard. |
| User Reviews and Ratings Transparency | Porch gives homeowners tools to compare pros with ratings, reviews, and project photos. | Customers can rate services through the app. LawnStarter's app has a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating on AppGrooves. However, some reviews suggest that LawnStarter hand-picks testimonials from satisfied customers for their own site. |
| Payment Options and Security | Porch continues to bill the card on file monthly. Payment method can be updated from the Porch account anytime. | LawnStarter only accepts credit and debit card payments attached to an active bank account. They do not accept cash, PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, checks, money orders, or prepaid credit cards. Cards are not charged until 3 full days after the service. |
| Cancellation Policy and Fees | For pros, Porch has a 90-day initial term. If cancelled mid-cycle, unused funds roll over to a 'Pay As You Go Program'. Cancellation within 15 days of the next bill date incurs that charge. Appraisal order cancellations may be subject to a fee; a 100% refund may be available if cancelled before inspection. | LawnStarter does not lock customers into a contract. Customers can pause, skip, or cancel anytime with 48 hours' notice. If a service is canceled or rescheduled less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled date, the full amount for the service will be charged. |