Article published in the newspaper on 1/27/09 and in the online edition of the Enquirer-Journal on 1/27/09 www.enquirerjournal.com
Local Web site matches
contractors with workers
BY Jason deBruyn
Staff Writer
Enquirer-Journal
As jobs become increasingly few and far between, Jonathan Luciano is doing his part to match workers with those who need help.
“You got so many people that are really desperate looking for work,” Luciano said, hopeful that his new Web site can help.
The site is mycontractorlist.com and was created to bring contractors and construction workers together. Luciano initially was going to charge a fee, but when the national economy declined, he decided to give everyone the first 14 months free.
“People are begging for work,” he said, and similar Web sites will charge a contractor not only a sign-on fee but other fees without guaranteeing a job.
“That infuriates me,” said Luciano, himself a contractor. “Especially in this economy.”
The statewide 2008 year-end employment analysis was released Friday and showed a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in December, the highest since June 1983. A countywide analysis will be released Friday; local economic experts do not expect that figure to be far below the statewide number.
Beside being free, another unique factor of Luciano’s site is that it is dedicated to construction or handyman work. Luciano sympathizes with out-of-work people in other fields of work, but wanted to make this site specialized because he saw it as one of the most neglected fields on job Web sites. “I wanted something that was just for contractors,” he said.
Because it is so specialized, worker profiles are more in depth.
For example, not only can a plumber can fill out a profile page and specify that he doesn’t do electrical work, but he can also specify that he prefers to do home repairs instead of new construction. This allows contractors to know exactly what they are getting and allows workers to more efficiently advertise themselves.
“I want contractors that are rally looking for help to know what they are going to find,” Luciano said.
Not to exclude homeowners who need small jobs done, the site has an area for them. A homeowner could read the plumber’s profile and call him to fix a leaky faucet.
Luciano lives in Marshville, but has made the site accessible nationwide and even has state-specific profile requirements because states have differing licensing requirements. “In this economy, people are willing to travel,” he said. “They are willing to go where the work is.”
To view the ad with picture go to: www.enquirerjournal.com you will have to register but its free just look for title Local web site matches contractors with workers.
You can also try the direct link: http://enquirerjournal.southernheadlines.com/paperbot/default.cfm
but had some problems with it – I think you have to register first.
I would like to say Thank You to the Enquirer-Journal and Jason deBruyn for taking the time to do and article on us. Thank you
Stop by and check us out at www.mycontractorlist.com
