How much is your lead platform actually costing you?
Lead-based platforms charge you per lead whether the homeowner hires you or not. At a 5% close rate, 95 cents of every dollar goes to leads that ghosted you. Enter your numbers below — we'll show the math.
Why the FTC investigated Angi
In its 2023 settlement, the FTC documented that Angi (then HomeAdvisor) sold contractors leads that often contained fake contact details, duplicate consumers, and homeowners who had already selected a contractor before the lead was sold. Contractors paid per lead regardless — and average documented close rates on shared leads ran 2–4%.
Thumbtack, Hipages, MyBuilder, and MyHammer operate similar models: payment upfront per contact or bid, shared with multiple other contractors, with no mechanism to refund unresponsive leads.
AskBaily's model inverts this: we earn 8–15% of closed-job revenue only. If a homeowner doesn't sign a contract, AskBaily earns zero. That shifts the match-quality risk to us, not you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real cost of lead-based platforms like Angi and Thumbtack?
The true cost is not just the fee per lead — it's the compounding effect of paying for every lead that doesn't convert. At a 5% close rate, 95% of every lead-fee dollar goes toward leads that never became jobs.
How is AskBaily's take-rate different from Angi lead fees?
Angi charges you whether or not the homeowner hires you. AskBaily takes 8-15% (tiered) only on closed-job revenue — zero fee on leads that don't convert. AskBaily only earns when you do.
What close rate should I enter?
The FTC's 2023 Angi settlement cited average close rates of 2-4% on shared leads. We default to 5% in your favor. Use your own tracked number for the most accurate result.
Can I share my result with other contractors?
Yes — the LinkedIn share button prefills a post with your total spend, unconverted-lead waste, and a link to your scenario. No personal information is included.
Does this calculator prove I should switch to AskBaily?
No — it shows the math for both sides. If you generate high revenue with a strong close rate, AskBaily's take-rate could cost more than cheap lead-fee platforms. The tool computes both transparently so you can decide.