Written by one of HomeStars’ top performing companies

For years, HomeStars was the go-to place for Ontario homeowners looking to find trusted local contractors. It was built around verified reviews, open communication, and visible customer feedback that made it easy to see who did great work in your area.

But in recent years, the platform has changed. And those changes have made it much less useful for both homeowners and quality contractors alike.

Our Perspective: Speaking as a Top-Rated Company

Just so you know: This isn’t coming from a company with bad reviews or a grudge. Quite the opposite.

At the time of writing, The Eavestrough Company has 352 verified reviews on HomeStars, a perfect 5/5 rating, and has earned 10 “Best of” Awards — including four “Best of the Best” titles, most recently in 2025.

For years, HomeStars helped connect us with homeowners across Southern Ontario: Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara Region, Mississauga, Cambridge, Brantford, and everywhere in between. We appreciated how the platform encouraged transparency and rewarded companies that consistently delivered quality workmanship.

You can still find our page here: The Eavestrough Company on HomeStars.

So when we say HomeStars isn’t what it used to be, that perspective comes from years of successful experience using it.

How HomeStars Used to Work

Not long ago, HomeStars was a straightforward and transparent review platform.

• Reviews included real names and city locations, making it easy to see which homeowners were nearby.
• Contractors could proudly show where they had completed work, for example, “Hamilton,” “Burlington,” or “Brantford.”
• Homeowners could verify reviews, compare services, and easily contact companies directly.

If you saw a review from “John in St Catharines” or “Lisa from Hamilton”, you knew it came from a real homeowner in your community. That level of transparency built trust, both for homeowners and for contractors who earned their reputation through honest feedback.

What Changed (And Why It Matters)

In recent updates, HomeStars has mostly removed the ability to see a reviewer’s name and location. All reviews now appear anonymous, showing only “HomeOwner” or “Customer of…”, a star rating, date, and comments.

For homeowners, that means it’s harder to tell whether reviews are local, relevant, or from that perspective even real. For contractors, it means the reviews they worked hard to earn no longer showcase their regional reputation.

The platform also appears to have shifted its focus from a public review directory to a paid lead-generation model. Homeowners are now encouraged to “post a job” rather than search and contact contractors directly, while companies are asked to pay for access to those leads or for higher visibility on the site.

These changes may make sense for HomeStars’ business model, but they’ve reduced the transparency and simplicity that originally made it valuable.

Why Many Good Companies Are Leaving HomeStars

Many established contractors have chosen to step away from the platform. And this is not because of poor reviews, but because the system no longer supports open, authentic searching and feedback.

• The focus on paid placement makes visibility harder for some legitimately fantastic local businesses.
• The removal of most reviewer names and cities limits transparency for potential clients.
• Contractors who once relied on HomeStars’ reputation now find more trust through other platforms (like Google or their own websites).

Instead of paying for listings, many reputable contractors are choosing to focus on:

• Google Reviews, where names and locations remain visible without the need to “pay to play”.
• Local recommendations from community groups and social media.
• Company websites, which showcase real project photos, service areas, and client testimonials.

When good companies leave, it’s usually because the platform stopped working the way it used to (not because the companies changed).

How to Find Trusted Contractors Without HomeStars

Like we said above, we’ve had a lot of success as a business on HomeStars. So that says a lot about what we’re writing here. If you’re a homeowner looking for a reliable company, there are transparent ways to do it to make sure you’re not missing a genuinely great contractor:

1. Check Google Reviews

Google verifies most reviews automatically and can display the reviewer’s name and city (if the person provides it). You can tell when a review is legitimate and when contractor is active in your area. Importantly, reviews aren’t hidden behind a paywall. Of course there’s also downsides to their model, but the upside in our opinion is higher.

You can find a bunch of verified, real reviews from homeowners that trusted us with their project on our Reviews page here.

2. Look for real photos and project details

A legitimate contractor should share their own work (not stock images). Project photos, service area details, and clear explanations of materials (like aluminum eavestroughs, fascia, soffit, and siding) are all signs of a reputable business.

FYI: you can find a gallery of our work on our projects page here.

3. Ask for recommendations

Local Facebook groups, community boards, and friends are still among the best sources for trustworthy referrals.

4. Contact contractors directly

Skip the middleman. When you speak to a company directly, you’ll get a better sense of their professionalism, availability, and whether they’re a good fit for your project.

You can contact us directly and get a free estimate for your home exterior project on our Contact page.

The Bottom Line

HomeStars began as one of the best contractor review sites in Ontario. For many years, it connected honest businesses with homeowners who valued transparent feedback.

But as the platform evolved, it became more focused on lead generation and paid listings than public transparency. Hiding reviewer names and cities has made it harder for homeowners to confirm who they’re reading about (and harder for great contractors to stand out based on reputation alone).

If you’re hiring a contractor, look for companies that showcase authentic reviews, local projects, and real contact information. A strong reputation shouldn’t be hidden behind a paywall.

🖋 Disclaimer

This article reflects our professional opinions and experience as long-time users of the HomeStars platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by HomeStars. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of time of posting, and readers are encouraged to verify details or form their own conclusions based on their experiences.