Redbeacon is trying to revolutionize the way that you contract local services. It does truly seem to happen once a year that some startup does this. I have yet to ever remember one of these companies other than Yelp, and that is a stretch. Rebeacon lets you requests a local service, then compare prices, then schedule the job.
Value add: having service providers on the system that let you find the best prices.
The system seems to be robust enough to handle complex requests, allowing for the uploading images and files that are pertinent to what you are asking for. Services sign up and can begin to work with requested services. Providers can limit themselves by location and times they are willing to work. The providers are also forced to upload credentials for verification. The system links the jobs that are requested with the best service providers that are a direct match.
You can then compare quotes from differing providers to allow you to find the best prices and company match for what you want. Like OpenTable, you book the specific job that you so want, and then handle it all away from a telephone. That is a big bonus in my books. Still, where do the providers come from?
It is the classic problem. Chicken and the egg. If you have no providers, I am not going too use it. No users, no providers.
