How it works
Expert help, one video call away.
Here's what Call the Trades looks like for homeowners and for the tradespeople who help them, from sign-up to the last minute of the call.
For homeowners
From problem to fixed
Buy call credits
Choose a credit pack from $50 to $399. Credits never expire, so they're there the next time something breaks.
Find the right expert
Filter by trade, experience tier, reviews and specialty. Each profile shows licenses, DIY boundaries and exactly what a minute costs.
Start a video call
Show the problem with your phone's camera. Your first 5 minutes with each new expert are free.
Finish with confidence
Follow the plan, call back when you hit the next step, and rate your expert when you're done.
On the call
Built for the moment you're standing in front of the problem
Calls happen on live video, so your expert sees what you see: the wiring, the valve, the crack in the wall. You're billed by the minute from your credits, and you can end the call whenever you have what you need.
- Live video from your phone, tablet or computer
- Billing by the minute at the expert's tier rate
- A 60-second heads-up before your balance runs out, with one-tap top-up
- If a platform or connection problem cuts a call short, we credit that time back
For tradespeople
From sign-up to paid
Apply and get verified
Tell us your trade and experience. We verify your identity and, for licensed trades, your state license.
Build your profile
Your specialties, how you like to help DIYers, service area, availability and the work you're proud of.
Take calls on your schedule
Go available when it suits you. Pause billing anytime to give a customer free time.
Get paid
Earn your tier's hourly rate for every connected minute. Payouts go straight to your bank through Stripe, weekly or on request.
Trust & safety
How we vet experts
Homeowners are inviting an expert into their project, so we take who gets approved seriously. Before launch, every expert goes through the same steps.
- Identity verification
- State license lookup for licensed trades like electrical and plumbing
- Placement in an experience tier by years in the trade
- Clear safety boundaries on every profile: what they'll coach, and what needs a pro on site
- Reviews after every call, with ratings in both directions
Questions
How it works: FAQ
What is Call the Trades?
Call the Trades is a platform that connects homeowners with experienced, license-verified tradespeople over live video. You buy call credits, choose an expert, and get real-time help with your project, paying only for the minutes you use.
When do you launch?
We're building now and opening in stages. First we're signing up founding experts. Then we'll run an invite-only beta, and we'll open to homeowners once about 200 experts are ready to take calls. Join the waitlist and you'll be the first to know.
Where are you launching?
We're starting in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. More states will follow.
Which trades will be on the platform?
Electricians first, with plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, masons, painters and handymen alongside. We'll add more trades after launch.
Will there be an app?
Yes. We're launching on the web first for our invite-only beta, with iPhone and Android apps planned for the full launch.
Do I need special equipment for a call?
Just a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and a decent internet connection. If you can make a video call, you can use Call the Trades.
Join the waitlist
Be first in line.
We open to homeowners once 200 founding experts are ready to take calls. Join now and we'll tell you the moment experts are live in your area.
- Early access before the public launch
- Free intro minutes on your first call with each expert
- No spam. Just launch news, a few times a year
You're on the list.
Thanks! We'll email you as soon as experts are taking calls in your area. Your first call with each expert starts with free minutes.
Welcome, founding expert. We'll be in touch about verification and early access, and you'll be among the first to set up your profile.