Know what your project should cost — before a contractor quotes.
CleverCru builds your customized build plan free — scope, materials with prices, labor range, timeline, permits — so every quote you get is measured against the same plan. Then you choose: hire a general contractor, or be your own and build your crew trade by trade.
| What you compare | CleverCru | Traditional lead marketplaces |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront project plan | A free customized build plan: scope, materials with prices, labor range, timeline, permit guidance; add a photo for AI concept previews; if you are over budget it shows where to save — defer, swap materials, DIY, trim scope — with estimated savings. | You describe the job briefly; each pro defines the scope their own way |
| Contractor verification | Three tiers: identity, home improvement contractor license, and insurance (expiry-tracked); filter to verified-only with one tap. Verification is not an endorsement of quality — it is proof they are who they claim. | Pros buy your contact info as a lead; any verification is self-reported |
| Ways to get it done | Two paths: hire a general contractor, or be your own GC: AI scopes and sequences each trade, you hire the subs. | One path: hire a pro |
| Materials | Your priced materials list is yours: email it to any supplier, or hand it to your contractor; buy wherever you want; hiring a contractor? They procure by default, you can ask them to include it in the bid. | You figure out materials yourself, after you pick a pro |
| Comparing quotes | The bid leveler normalizes bids against your customized build plan, side by side, facts only, never picks a winner for you. | Quotes arrive in different formats; you decipher them |
| What contractors see | Pre-scoped leads: every job can carry the homeowner's estimate (materials, labor, crew size, days). | Pros buy your contact info as a lead and start discovery from zero |
| How the platform gets paid | 5% of the accepted bid, only when a contractor wins your job; never on laborer day-hires; waived if the job cancels before work starts. | Pros pay per lead — whether you hire anyone or not |
| After you hire | Project command center: milestones, tasks, documents, copilot nudges. | The platform's job is done once you're matched |
| Contractor quoting | Free AI estimator (5 AI generations per month) that builds quotes off the homeowner's plan. | Quoting tools sold separately, if offered at all |
Upfront project plan
CleverCru
A free customized build plan: scope, materials with prices, labor range, timeline, permit guidance; add a photo for AI concept previews; if you are over budget it shows where to save — defer, swap materials, DIY, trim scope — with estimated savings.
Traditional
You describe the job briefly; each pro defines the scope their own way
Contractor verification
CleverCru
Three tiers: identity, home improvement contractor license, and insurance (expiry-tracked); filter to verified-only with one tap. Verification is not an endorsement of quality — it is proof they are who they claim.
Traditional
Pros buy your contact info as a lead; any verification is self-reported
Ways to get it done
CleverCru
Two paths: hire a general contractor, or be your own GC: AI scopes and sequences each trade, you hire the subs.
Traditional
One path: hire a pro
Materials
CleverCru
Your priced materials list is yours: email it to any supplier, or hand it to your contractor; buy wherever you want; hiring a contractor? They procure by default, you can ask them to include it in the bid.
Traditional
You figure out materials yourself, after you pick a pro
Comparing quotes
CleverCru
The bid leveler normalizes bids against your customized build plan, side by side, facts only, never picks a winner for you.
Traditional
Quotes arrive in different formats; you decipher them
What contractors see
CleverCru
Pre-scoped leads: every job can carry the homeowner's estimate (materials, labor, crew size, days).
Traditional
Pros buy your contact info as a lead and start discovery from zero
How the platform gets paid
CleverCru
5% of the accepted bid, only when a contractor wins your job; never on laborer day-hires; waived if the job cancels before work starts.
Traditional
Pros pay per lead — whether you hire anyone or not
After you hire
CleverCru
Project command center: milestones, tasks, documents, copilot nudges.
Traditional
The platform's job is done once you're matched
Contractor quoting
CleverCru
Free AI estimator (5 AI generations per month) that builds quotes off the homeowner's plan.
Traditional
Quoting tools sold separately, if offered at all
Your contact info stays private until you engage with a bid.