A HomeStars alternative for Canadian homeowners
HomeStars is a well-known Canadian site for finding contractors. Lynknester is a newer option in Canada (and the US, UK and Australia): posting a job is free, leads are exclusive, and pros pay only on completed jobs, with no lead fees.
Got a job? Post it free
Free for homeowners. Pros join free and pay 15% only on completed jobs, so they compete on the work, not on buying leads.
Lynknester vs HomeStars: side by side
| Platform | For homeowners | How pros pay (per public sources) | Is your request shared? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynknester | Free to post a job. | Free to join. 15% only on completed jobs. No lead fees, no contracts. Optional Preferred Listing C$139 (US$99 in the US)/mo. | Each job goes to one pro at a time. The first offer is exclusive; it only moves to the next pro if unanswered. |
| HomeStars | Free to post a request and read reviews. | Pros can join free and respond to leads free; they pay a lead fee when a homeowner shortlists them (HomeStars help centre; HomeStars for pros). Some pros have monthly subscriptions that work as a lead-fee credit budget (HomeStars subscription FAQ). | Multiple pros can respond to a lead; you choose who to share your details with (HomeStars for pros). |
For Canadian homeowners
HomeStars’ shortlist model gives you control over who gets your details, which is a real plus. Lynknester’s difference is on the pro side: no lead or shortlist fees, just 15% when a job is completed. Licensing is provincial, so check your pro with the right body (for example ESA in Ontario or Technical Safety BC). See our Canada city pages.
How Lynknester works for homeowners
- Post your job free. Describe the work and your location.
- Hear from a pro. Each job goes to one pro at a time. The first offer is exclusive; it only moves to the next pro if unanswered.
- Compare and hire. Check licences, insurance and references before you hire, as you would anywhere.
A note on honesty: Lynknester is new and we operate in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. Established platforms have bigger audiences and many reviews. We won’t show inflated numbers; what we can promise is the model above.
Competitor details come from the public sources linked above and can change. HomeStars is a trademark of its owner. Lynknester is not affiliated with them. Trade pros: see our pro fee comparison.
FAQ
Is Lynknester free for homeowners?
Yes. Posting a job is free.
Will my request be sent to lots of pros?
No. Each job goes to one pro at a time. The first offer is exclusive; it only moves to the next pro if unanswered.
How do pros pay on Lynknester?
Pros join free and pay 15% only on completed jobs. An optional Preferred Listing costs C$139 (US$99 in the US) per month.
Is Lynknester affiliated with HomeStars?
No. HomeStars is a trademark of its owner. Lynknester is not affiliated with them; we name them only to compare models.
Where do the competitor details come from?
From each company’s public pages and regulators, linked on this page. They can change, so check each platform for current details.
Got a job? Post it free
Free for homeowners. Pros join free and pay 15% only on completed jobs, so they compete on the work, not on buying leads.