Thumbtack is one of the most-used home services platforms in the US, and it's good at what it does: showing you a list of local pros and letting you compare them. But comparing is work. If you've wondered whether to use Thumbtack or a request service like Novum that lines up one pro for you, this comparison covers the key differences.
How Thumbtack works
On Thumbtack, you describe a job and see a list of pros in your area. You message the ones you like, they pay Thumbtack to respond, and you compare profiles, reviews, and quotes before choosing. Thumbtack doesn't schedule the job, set the price, or follow up afterward. The pro you hire is an independent professional you've selected, and the relationship from that point is between the two of you.
How Novum works
On novumhs.com, you submit one service request describing your job. Novum lines up a vetted, licensed, insured pro from its partner network who fits it, gets you an upfront quote before any work starts, and handles scheduling and follow-up. There's no list to browse and no quotes to compare. One request, one pro, one point of contact — backed by the Novum Guarantee.
The vetting question
Thumbtack does some screening — identity verification and background checks for certain categories — but the depth varies by category, and reading reviews is still your main quality filter. Novum vets every pro in its partner network for the licensing and insurance their trade requires before assigning them to a request, and follows up on every job so pros who don't perform don't keep getting work.
- ✓Thumbtack: screening varies by category; reviews are your main filter
- ✓Novum: pros vetted for licensing and insurance before being assigned
- ✓Thumbtack: you pick from a list
- ✓Novum: Novum lines up the pro for your request
Pricing
On Thumbtack, each pro quotes their own price and you compare. That can work in your favor, but it also means decoding why one quote is half of another. With Novum, you get one upfront quote for the job before work starts, you approve it, and that's the price.
What happens if something goes wrong
If a Thumbtack pro does poor work, the dispute is between you and that pro. Thumbtack offers a limited guarantee up to a dollar cap on eligible bookings, but it didn't quote or schedule the job. With Novum, you call Novum. The Novum Guarantee covers the job: if something isn't right, Novum makes it right.
When Thumbtack makes sense vs. when Novum makes sense
Thumbtack is useful if you want to compare several pros side by side, hire a specific local specialist you've found there, or source someone for a very niche task. Novum is the better choice if you want to describe the job once and have it handled — one vetted pro, an upfront quote, one point of contact, and a guarantee behind the work.
Bottom line
Thumbtack is a well-built platform for comparing pros yourself. Novum is built for the homeowner who doesn't want to: one request, one vetted pro lined up for you, one upfront quote, and the Novum Guarantee behind the job.
Need handyman work done?
Novum lines up a vetted, licensed pro. Flat upfront quote before any work starts.