ImproveNet's Two-Stage Pricing Wizard Makes It Easy To Calculate Roofing Costs; Dual Views Offer Tradeoffs Between Speed, Precision

Business Wire, April 25, 2000

Business Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

ImproveNet (Nasdaq:IMPV) (www.ImproveNet.com) has unveiled an interactive Roofing Estimator that offers homeowners a two-step process for understanding local pricing ranges for roofing jobs before they call contractors for bids.

The Roofing Estimator guides homeowners through a short series of questions to calculate projected price ranges based on the prevailing costs for materials and labor in their neighborhoods. The questions are detailed enough to assure realistic price ranges without requiring homeowners to make exhaustive calculations or to take a crash course in roofing jargon.

For example, homeowners can develop a good estimate by specifying little more than the square footage of the ground floor, the type of shingles required, the roof style (flat, gable, shed, hip, gambrel and mansard) and the approximate slope. For novices, pop-up illustrations bring to life the basic concepts.

Homeowners who want an even more precise estimate can advance to Step Two, where they can fine-tune specifics about such variables as slope, the square footage of the roof, sheathing materials, flashings and gutters.

The Roofing Estimator area also offers extensive background information to help homeowners assess their roofing needs and explore their options.

The Roofing Estimator is the third in a series of online pricing wizards created to educate homeowners about major remodeling projects and to help them fine-tune their choices before seeking bids. Like the Kitchen and Bath Estimators before it, the Roofing Estimator offers regionally adjusted price ranges based on information from the E.H. Boeckh Co., the nation's leading supplier of residential cost data and estimating systems for the insurance industry.

"The Roofing Estimator extends on the functionality of our kitchen and bath tools by providing a two-step process whereby homeowners can tailor their estimates to the amount of detail they want to provide," said Bill Crosby, ImproveNet Vice President of Editorial. "We've made it easier for homeowners to develop realistic expectations about their remodeling costs, while still retaining the same access to precise data that characterize our other two estimators. Homeowners in a hurry can get a more general estimate, and those who want to more fully research their costs can also do so before ever seeking a professional contractor."

When homeowners are ready to act, they can take advantage of ImproveNet's independent contractor matching system to locate local professionals whose credit, legal and business histories have been thoroughly screened. Homeowners also have the confidence of knowing that ImproveNet's Personal Project Advisors are standing by to offer free assistance and insights throughout their projects.

About ImproveNet

ImproveNet (Nasdaq:IMPV) provides comprehensive home improvement information and services on the Internet. Through its Web sites, homeowner/contractor matching services and targeted advertising, the company provides a national marketplace for home improvement products and services. ImproveNet helps homeowners, service providers (contractors, architects and designers) and suppliers of home improvement products and related services maximize their results through an efficient, online flow of information and communications. Its online services are complemented by personal assistance from a professional staff of Personal Project Advisors and local field teams who offer support throughout each phase of the home improvement process. ImproveNet is based in Redwood City, Calif., and can be reached at ImproveNet.com, ImproveNetPro.com and 888/544-8963.