(Facebook Photo)

Facebook is partnering with Seattle startup Porch, as well as HomeAdvisor and Handy to launch a new Services addition to its Marketplace, moving the tech giant into the competitive world of home projects.

Facebook Marketplace’s new Services section gives home improvement pros like contractors, plumbers and house cleaners selling their skills on smaller marketplaces a much larger audience. Facebook reported 214 million monthly active users in the U.S. and Canada at the end of the last quarter, though Services are only in the U.S. for now.

“One of the driving ideas behind Porch is that we are a ‘partner for the home.’ Part of that is making it convenient and easy for homeowners to connect with the best home service pros in their local area,” Porch CEO Matt Ehrlichman said. “Through the Facebook Marketplace integration, we can forward our mission and mutually empower each other’s communities. People on Facebook can find top pros in their area, and Porch home service professionals can expand their reach while helping homeowners complete the jobs on their to-do list.”

In exchange for the bigger platform, Porch, HomeAdvisor and Handy bring their skillsets to vet home improvement pros and provide access to recommendations, reviews, accreditation, location and job quotes. Facebook puts all these features in one place, and provides simple communications with contractors through Facebook Messenger.

Facebook said it is going in this direction because home services recommendations are a top request from U.S. users. The company’s goal is to provide an all-in-one platform that guides the user from a search for contractors all the way to finishing off the job. Home services is only the beginning for Facebook Marketplace’s Services section, and the company will add to it in the future.

The addition of home services to Facebook Marketplace puts it in competition with Amazon, Angie’s List, Craigslist and others. Facebook has been steadily adding new categories to its Marketplace in recent months, including used car sales, home rentals and more. It has shifted its model recently, adding partners for new sections like home services and recently teaming up with Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and Cars.com for used cars. These partnerships add traditional e-commerce components to the core function of person-to-person buying and selling.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.