Porch, the Seattle-based home-improvement data startup, is marking its first year of operation today with a slate of new online features for homeowners, and disclosing its total funding for the first time.

Matt
Porch CEO Matt Ehrlichman

The company says it has raised $33 million to date, including a $27.6 million Series A funding round led by the Lowe’s home-improvement chain. Porch earlier this year announced a partnership with Lowe’s in which store employees use Porch to help customers find contractors and remodelers.

“It’s been a great partnership and relationship,” said Porch CEO Matt Ehrlichman. He declined to disclose the specific size of the Lowe’s investment or its equity stake, but confirmed that the retailer led the round.

Porch — which faces competition from sites including Pro.com, Houzz, and Zillow Digs — also is launching several new features on Porch.com that it says reflect its efforts to become what it calls “the home network.”

The new online features include the ability to confirm which home-improvement professionals are licensed with the state. Porch is also now verifying user reviews.

Users can also see the real cost of projects completed for others in their neighborhoods, and can search for homes similar to theirs across the country, to see projects in those homes.

In addition, homeowners can “claim” their home on Porch to see its full home-improvement history, and they can add completed projects to their home’s record, to help when selling a property.

Porch has amassed data about 120 million home improvement projects across the country, allowing homeowners to see details about projects in their neighborhoods, and connect with remodelers and contractors. Porch offers its service for free to homeowners, charging professionals for market insights and promotional exposure in specific geographies.

The company has grown to more than 200 people, and recently acquired Seattle startup ValueAppeal.

 

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