Design a product that helps people find contractors — PM Interview at Meta

1. Let’s start with Clarifying Scope:

Contractors could be of different types, performing multiple jobs, or providing various services. Which type of contractors do we want to focus on?

• Let’s Assume contractors in the construction business.

Are we looking for personal or commercial constructions, and what would be the scale of these projects?

• Assume personal, and scale from small to medium (10Lakhs — 2 Crore).

Will this be a mobile app, web app or both?

• Assume Mobile.

Do we have any technology constraints regarding resources, tech stack, etc.?

• Assume, No

Who are we building this product for? Who are we as a company?

• Assume a startup with founders with a background in real estate, and technology.

On a high level, I think people who are looking to hire a contractor to help with the construction, decoration, renovation, and repair of their own home are the potential audience here. I’m not considering builders since they generally have their own workforce, and the scale of their projects is bigger. So I’m envisioning a marketplace for buyers and service providers to connect, and execute projects. On a high level, is that understanding correct?

• Assume, Yes!

Are we only considering finding contractors or executing/planning projects too?

• Assume only finding.

2. Based on the scope, our Goal:

Design a marketplace Android/iOS App for property owners looking to hire a contractor to help with the construction, decoration, renovation, and repair of their home, and for contractors looking to provide their services for the execution of such projects.

As a startup, our focus will be on acquiring new users and monitoring the effectiveness of our services.

3. Users Personas:

Clients:

• Persona 1: Working professional(s) (business/govt or private job) with little knowledge of construction, costs involved, timelines, raw materials, etc. The project is for the properties where they are either currently residing or planning to reside shortly. The investment is a mix of loan and savings and getting it right (quality) in a cost-effective manner (efficiency) with a focus on trust matters the most to them.
• Persona 2: Working/Retired professionals who know the nuances of construction and know people who can help with raw materials, etc. but don’t have the time to oversee the project. These users generally already own some other property and have experience with such projects. The project is for the properties where they are either currently residing or planning to reside shortly or are planning to lease it to third parties. Timelines and cost-effectiveness matter the most to them.
• Experienced/New Contractors looking for clients.

We’ll prioritize Persona 1 for clients as it resonates with most of the property owners in tier-1,2 cities who have recently started a personal project (varying scales) and as the scale of these cities increases, so will the demand for such services. The ‘experienced group persona’ might already have some contacts, and might be less inclined towards paying additional fees for finding contractors.

4. Pain Points:

Clients: Unsure of project costs, lack of contractor network, difficulty assessing contractor trustworthiness, unfamiliarity with construction processes.

Contractors: Reliance on word-of-mouth referrals, difficulty finding new clients, managing multiple projects, and client communication.

Prioritized Pain points

• Finding Contractors: Need for a comprehensive contractor listing.
• Trust: Need for verified reviews, portfolios, track records, and project completion guarantees.
• Cost Transparency: Need for project cost estimations and clear breakdown of contractor costs.
• Contractor Comparison: Need for a filtering and comparison system.
• Finding Clients: Need to find suitable projects for contractors.

5. Solution:

A mobile marketplace app with the following features:

User Onboarding: Phone number/email signup with OTP login and app tutorial.

Contractor Listing & Verification:

• Contractor registration with detailed profiles (name, contact, picture, experience, services, portfolio, etc.).
• KYC and on-site project verification by the platform.

Marketplace:

• Service-based search (construction, repair, renovation, etc.).
• Filtering by location, price, experience, reviews, portfolio.

Contractor Profiles: Detailed profiles with photos, service areas, experience, completed projects, reviews, pricing (partially hidden until contact request), “favorite” option, and sharing.

Customer Profiles: Basic profile information.

Project Proposals (Bidding):

• Clients post project requirements (service type, area, budget, materials, etc.).
• Contractors bid on projects.
• App facilitates contact upon bid acceptance.

Direct Contact: Clients can request contact with contractors (unlocking contact info). Contractors can only initiate contact after bid acceptance.

Pricing Model:

• Clients: One-time fee for posting a project proposal and fees for unlocking contractor contact information.
• Contractors: Monthly/yearly subscription with a limited number of bids.

5. Key Metrics:

• User Acquisition: Number of app downloads, and registrations (client and contractor).
• Engagement: Number of searches, contractor profile views, contact requests, proposals posted, bids submitted.
• Conversion: Number of successful connections between clients and contractors, project completion rates (measured through user feedback or platform tracking), and subscription renewals (for contractors).
• Customer Satisfaction: App ratings and reviews, user feedback surveys.
• Average Revenue Per User (ARPU): Tracking revenue generated from client fees and contractor subscriptions.

6. Summary:

This product aims to address the challenges faced by homeowners seeking reliable contractors. By providing a verified marketplace with transparent information, secure communication, and a robust search/comparison system, the app empowers users to make informed decisions and find the right contractors for their projects. The focus on user acquisition, engagement, and conversion, along with continuous monitoring of key metrics, will ensure the platform’s growth and success.