FAQ
Questions, and straight answers
What RenoMe costs, how the video calls work, how to check a contractor's license in New York City, and what contractors pay.
About RenoMe
What is RenoMe?
RenoMe is an iPhone app for New York City's five boroughs where homeowners meet contractors face to face on a live video call, show them the job and get a real quote. Contractors pay a connection fee once per project, only when a call actually connects, plus a 2.5% platform fee on projects they win. Both are free right now.
Where does RenoMe work?
In all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Contractors are matched by borough. New Jersey isn't covered yet.
Is there an Android app?
Not yet. Android is on the way; email support@renome.app and we'll tell you when it's ready.
Who's behind RenoMe?
Martín Gutierrez Beheran, a carpenter with more than 20 years in New York City construction.
Is RenoMe a contractor?
No. RenoMe connects you with independent contractors. It doesn't do the work, employ the contractors or guarantee their work.
What's with the goblins?
They're the old way: lead mills that sell your number and contractors who say "Yeah!" to everything. The ads are made up. The goblins, unfortunately, are based on stories everyone in New York has heard.
For homeowners
Is RenoMe free for homeowners?
Yes. No fees and no subscriptions. RenoMe never handles your project money either: you pay your contractor directly.
How does the video call work?
After you post your project, request a call (contractors who cover your borough are notified, and the first to accept calls you inside the app) or pick a contractor yourself. You talk on live video or voice, show the space and ask anything.
Do I have to give contractors my phone number?
No. Calls and messages happen inside the app. Your phone number and email are shown only to the contractor whose quote you accept.
Will I get calls from a lot of contractors?
No. One contractor calls at a time, and the next one calls only when you ask.
How do I know a contractor is licensed?
Look for the green shield on their profile: it means the app matched their license to New York City records, DCWP for home improvement contractors and DOB for master plumbers and electricians. Not every contractor is verified. License and insurance labels without the shield, such as "Licensed & Insured" or "License on File", show what the contractor typed, and RenoMe hasn't checked them. You can also check a home improvement license yourself at nyc.gov/dcwp or by calling 311.
Are contractors on RenoMe insured?
Insurance on RenoMe profiles is self-reported, and RenoMe doesn't check it. Ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts; co-op and condo buildings usually require one anyway.
Does NYC require a license for home improvement work?
Yes, for most of it. NYC's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for work over $200 at any residential building in the city, such as remodeling and repairs. Plumbing and purely electrical work fall outside that license; plumbers and electricians are licensed by the Department of Buildings. If a DCWP-licensed contractor doesn't finish a job, you may be able to get money back from the city's Home Improvement Contractor Trust Fund; hiring an unlicensed contractor rules that out.
Source: NYC DCWP, Quick Tips When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor
How much should I pay upfront?
NYC's DCWP advises paying no more than 25% of the total upfront, never paying in cash, and signing a written contract before work starts.
How do I pay my contractor?
Directly, the way you always have. Your quote shows the payment schedule. RenoMe never handles project money.
Does RenoMe record calls?
No. And nobody may record a call without everyone's written consent.
What kinds of projects can I post?
Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, demolition, rubbish removal and more.
Can real estate agents use RenoMe?
Yes. Choose Real Estate Agent when you sign up and post a listing's project the way a homeowner does, to get a real renovation number before the listing goes to market.
Can I use RenoMe for my store?
Yes. Choose Store Owner when you sign up and post your project the same way.
For contractors
How much does RenoMe cost contractors?
Free right now. When connection fees start: $25, $50 or $100 depending on the tier (Standard, High-End, Luxury), charged once per project and only when your first call with that homeowner connects. Later calls on the same project are free, and any project you connect on while it's free never pays a connection fee. A 2.5% platform fee will also apply to projects whose quote is accepted after that fee starts. We'll tell you before fees start.
When am I charged?
Right now, never: it's free. Once fees start, the connection fee is charged only when your first call with a homeowner on a project actually connects (no connection, no charge), and the 2.5% platform fee applies to projects whose quote is accepted after it starts.
Can I get a refund?
If a call drops within seconds because of a technical problem, write to support@renome.app and we refund the connection fee.
What's the Founding Contractor badge?
A permanent gold badge for the first 200 home improvement contractors, 75 plumbers and 75 electricians, added automatically when the app verifies your NYC license. When connection fees start, Founding Contractors also get 5 free connected calls, claimed in the app with a card on file.
How do I get the green shield?
In the app, open Settings, tap Trade license verification, and enter your license number and the name exactly as it appears on the license. It's checked against NYC records: DCWP for home improvement contractors, DOB for master plumbers and electricians. A match puts the green shield on your profile; anything that doesn't match right away goes to review.
Which phone number should I sign up with?
Your cell. Login codes may not arrive on Google Voice numbers.
Is the app in Spanish?
The app is in English, but Martín helps contractors in Spanish. Write to RenoMe Team inside the app or to support@renome.app.
Do I need an NYC license?
For the green shield, yes: the check covers NYC DCWP and DOB licenses. RenoMe can't verify New Jersey licenses yet.
Still have a question?
Email support@renome.app. A real person answers, in English or Spanish.
On Android? It's on the way. Email support@renome.app and we'll let you know.
On a laptop? Scan with your iPhone camera.
