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App helps homeowners find contractors to shovel snow

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Posted at 6:29 PM, Jan 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-16 21:07:48-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Snow removal can be a chore many people don't want to even think about. And now, there's an app for that.

GreenPal, also a website, helps those who would rather have someone else scoop the snow off their driveways and sidewalks.

"We started seeing a lot of homeowners asking for snow removal," GreenPal co-founder Gene Caballero said.

The company started in 2012 and focused on lawn care, working with vendors who cut grass and provided other lawn services. Now, the snow removal option is available in the Kansas City area.

Caballero said for older populations, it's a service that can be a safety issue too.

"In the snow, it’s almost kind of dangerous, you know," he said. "You fall and you break your hip or something like that, and it’s cold and it’s miserable out there."

To use the services the app provides, homeowners fill out a survey of their needs and if they would like their sidewalk or driveway shoveled or both. They must provide the address where the service will occur and then companies will offer quotes for their service.

Homeowners can view company reviews and select the company they like. Once the company is selected and does the job, employees upload before and after pictures. Then, the homeowner pays.

The whole process can be done contactless, which Caballero said is important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There’s no need to go to the homeowner’s house for a quote," he said. "There’s no need to talk to the homeowner if you don’t want to, and everything is done through the app."

41 Action News asked Kansas Citians if they would try this app. Here are some of the responses:

"To be able to just kind of click on an app and order someone or have someone to come over I think would be great, fast and contactless, easy peasy," Theresa, who did not provide a last name, said.

Lina, who also did not provide a last name, agreed.

"I would use it because we have a big yard, and I don’t like to shovel," Lina said. "So I think it’s a good use of money for me."

However, Matt, who did not provide a last name, said he would not be interested in using GreenPal.

"I’m more able to do it myself, but I can see where elderly or people that aren’t able to do it on a really cold snowy day could beneficial," Matt said.

Caballero said GreenPal verifies vendors to make sure they are legitimate, such as no one under 18 years old, they must have a valid driver's license, bank account, commercial grade equipment and references.

More than 100 vendors in the Kansas City area are on GreenPal, which has more than 1 million users nationwide and more than 20,000 landscaping professional on the app.

GreenPal operates in more than 46 states and in 200 major markets.