Leaving HomeAdvisor in Montana?
Your HomeAdvisor Shared-lead marketplace + monthly Pro subscription minimum. setup is probably costing you $16,788/year in lead fees and subscriptions for 48 closed jobs at Montana's median project values. AskBaily's 12% take-rate on the same volume runs roughly $218,880/year — a $-202,092 annual delta. Here's how $MT DLI Contractor Registration-licensed Montana contractors are migrating.
Montana licensing fit
AskBaily verifies your Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Contractor Registration (any contractor with employees must register) + independent-contractor exemption certificates credentials live at match-time — not from a self-reported signup form from six months ago. Montana DLI requires Contractor Registration for any contractor with employees plus independent-contractor exemption certificates for solo operators — AskBaily verifies registration status and flags wildfire WUI overlays across Bozeman, Missoula, and Flathead Valley.Our matching engine understands this and won't surface a scope outside your license class.
Primary Montana metro coverage: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls. Smaller metros have narrower partner pools but still route homeowners to 1 verified match per job.
The 5-step migration
1. Apply at /for-pros/recruit/montana
3-minute application. We verify your MT DLI Contractor Registration license class, bond, and insurance live against Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Contractor Registration (any contractor with employees must register) + independent-contractor exemption certificates. No credit check, no subscription fee at signup.
2. Export your HomeAdvisor lead history (last 90 days)
From your HomeAdvisor pro dashboard, export lead history including trade, project size, and close rate. We use this to calibrate match density and understand your service mix.
3. Run a 30-90 day pilot — both platforms active
Keep your HomeAdvisor subscription running. Start accepting AskBaily matches in parallel. Compare actual close rates, actual unit economics, and actual homeowner quality side-by-side.
4. Audit with /tools/lead-spend-audit
Paste your HomeAdvisor monthly spend into the tool. Get the true per-closed-customer CAC vs AskBaily's 12% take-rate on closes. Shareable URL you can send to your accountant.
5. File HomeAdvisor cancellation notice and migrate full-time
12-month Pro subscription; 30-day cancel but billed through cycle end.. File written notice per your contract, finish out any remaining paid-for leads, and migrate 100% to AskBaily. Most Montana migrations close within 60 days.
Frequently asked questions
How much does HomeAdvisor actually cost Montana contractors per year?
On a median Montana kitchen remodel (~$38,000) a contractor closing 4 jobs per month from HomeAdvisor leads pays roughly $16,788 per year in lead fees + subscriptions. That's a true per-closed-customer CAC of $263. Our /tools/lead-spend-audit runs the math against your actual invoice.
Does AskBaily work with MT DLI Contractor Registration-licensed Montana contractors?
Yes — we verify Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Contractor Registration (any contractor with employees must register) + independent-contractor exemption certificates license class live at the moment of match. Every Montana partner in our network is MT DLI Contractor Registration-active, bonded per state statute, and insurance-verified via ACORD 25 re-check. Montana DLI requires Contractor Registration for any contractor with employees plus independent-contractor exemption certificates for solo operators — AskBaily verifies registration status and flags wildfire WUI overlays across Bozeman, Missoula, and Flathead Valley.
What's the annual cost difference between HomeAdvisor and AskBaily in Montana?
Apples-to-apples, 4 closes/month on median Montana projects: HomeAdvisor = ~$16,788/year (lead fees + $349/mo subscription). AskBaily = ~$218,880/year (12% take-rate on closes only, no lead fees). Net delta: $-202,092/year. Your actual math varies by close rate and project mix.
Can I run AskBaily in parallel with HomeAdvisor before cancelling?
Yes. Recommended 30-90 day pilot. Keep your HomeAdvisor subscription active, apply to AskBaily at /for-pros/recruit/montana, and compare unit economics. Most Montana contractors decide within 60 days. AskBaily requires no subscription or lock-in — just 30 days notice in writing if you want to leave.
Which Montana metros does AskBaily cover?
Primary match density in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls. We have active partners in every MT zip that passes MT DLI Contractor Registration verification, but partner depth varies — the top metros have 5-15+ verified GCs per service category, smaller metros have 1-3. /for-pros/recruit/montana lists the current Montana partner count.
What happens to my HomeAdvisor reviews if I migrate?
Reviews left on HomeAdvisor stay on HomeAdvisor — we cannot export them. Contractors migrating typically ask past clients (the ones whose phone numbers they kept) to leave a review on AskBaily after a new project closes. This builds an AskBaily-owned review set rather than borrowing reputation from a platform you're leaving.
How is AskBaily different from just another Shared-lead marketplace + monthly Pro subscription minimum. platform?
AskBaily charges zero lead fees. Zero contact fees. Zero subscriptions. We earn a tiered take-rate (8-15%) only when you close a job — lower tier for higher volume. Read our full fee schedule on /transparency. Our /why-not-shared-leads page explains why the shared-lead model structurally can't align platform + contractor + homeowner incentives, and why exclusive-match is the only fix.
What's the HomeAdvisor (an Angi Inc. brand) cancellation process?
12-month Pro subscription; 30-day cancel but billed through cycle end.. Check your HomeAdvisor agreement for the specific notice window and auto-renewal date. We recommend running AskBaily in parallel during notice to avoid a coverage gap on leads you're already paying for.