Houzz - Home Design & Remodel Reviews

I enjoy looking through this app to get ideas from the photos or solutions to problems on the different forums, however...
1) The search function is average at best. If you search for something like “basement laundry” you’ll see photos of that plus lots of unrelated pics. It seems the more specific your search, the more “off” the results are.
2) Lately and with increasing frequency, the attached information under “learn more” is for a different property, and probably one you looked at previously. Its like the previously viewed information won’t clear out.
3) Considering there are supposedly millions of photos posted, I keep seeing the same ones over and over.
4) I don’t know that I would ever dare to post a question on a board, as the people answering (pros and lay people alike) can be particularly snarky or unnecessarily harsh. A woman asked about thoughts on paint color for her kitchen, and was told by respondents that she had too much stuff on her counters, her word signs were awful, and her back splash didn’t properly coordinate with her counters. And it kept going even after she very graciously included a little background information about some of her design choices. It was a very nice kitchen by anyone’s standards, but the people replying (which included pros) were just rude. There seems to be no monitoring of the site at all.

We placed an order on May 17 and got a confirmation that it would be shipped by May 22 and delivered by May 30. We ordered from this app vs another vendor because we could get the merchandise so soon. There was no indication on website or in our confirmation that there may be COVID-19 related delays like some companies have posted on their sites. Our delivery date passed and on May 24 I emailed this app asking for a status. Auto response said a response may be delayed 4-5 days due to COVID-19. I tried calling and was on hold forever and hung up. 5 days passed and no return email so I emailed again on May 30, the day we were supposed to receive our order. I asked for an order cancellation. It is now June 4 and I’ve still not received an email response but noticed my credit card got billed. I didn’t receive an email notification saying my order had been shipped, though I was promised one in my order confirmation email. I logged into this app and sure enough my order finally updated to “shipped.” We tried calling and using chat function and those are no longer being manned. We requested an order cancellation again, this time on the website because that was now a selection on the page. Order says it will be here by 6/11, well past the date when we needed it and it was delivered after we asked for cancellation. It doesn’t appear they are manning email either. I will not be shopping with this app again.

this app has been my go-to place for ideas this year. We are building a new home, and I could not have gotten by without inspiration and ideas from this app! this app makes it incredibly easy to save examples of decor, appliances, hardware, furniture, tile, fixtures and share them with my own architect and decorator. I can save all of these elements in one spot for easy reference ( we do not live currently in the state in which we are building) and then zoom meetings are a breeze. this app shows me the latest trend, prices, and lets me search broadly or in narrow categories. It is my favorite tool for planning a new space or just taking in moments of beauty when I need a break. There is always something to look forward to here on this amazingly user-friendly site.

This is the worst company we have ever seen. We ordered two bedside lamps over a month ago and they still have not arrived. After three weeks of waiting, we inquired as to the delay. There were three flimsy excuses. First they said that they didn’t accept phone calls and would only have agent chat. This took 25 minutes to connect. Then the connection was lost. We connected once again and the first excuse was that they were sorry but the package got lost in transit and would be reshipped.
Then after another week we got an email that said the package was damaged in transit and would be resent. Five days later the email was changed to say that due to COVID it was still sitting in the warehouse but they were pretty sure we should get it within 5 days. It showed the tracking progress and the warehouse is an hour and a half from our house. Can you tell me why it is taking 5 days for a package to travel
1 1/2 hours (60 miles)? This STINKS. The corporate office is in Palo Alto and I’m in Irvine, CA. I could have driven in one day. This is the MOST RIDICULOUS CARELESS COMPANY I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY STAY IN BUSINESS.

The number one thing you can do to improve the user experience, especially new users, would be to make it easier to post a new question. I see this over and over in comments on your site and other search engines. This also goes for folks like me who do a lot of browsing but don’t post that often. I love this app and refer it often to my friends. Remodeled the entire interior of my house and thanks to your site, it’s beautiful. Now working on the exterior. The advice I’ve received has been invaluable. Kept me from making some major mistakes with my roof and exterior paint choices. In turn, my stress level is way down. For that, my husband thanks you too. I hope you take this feedback and move “Post new question on your home page”. Can you tell I worked for a top ten e-commerce site? Lol just trying to help.

As a pro I spent $1200, I have 11 five star reviews, I’ve been in my field for 14 years and I received zero referrals from this app. As a custom furniture builder this app was a complete waste of money. I talked to other professionals in my area and they all agreed. None of them received referrals from this app even though this app assured me that they had. I’m sure it works for someone, but if you’re a craftsman don’t spend your money on this platform.
I cannot recommend this to anyone unless you’re a consumer organizing and getting ideas.

Also, contacting customer support trying to cancel my account I kept getting ghosted. They ignored my calls and emails. Winston was extremely unhelpful. I finally had to call my bank and explain how they were not living up to their side of the contract. Ended up getting some money back because others had this same experience. They finally contacted me and tried to send me to their collections 😂😂😂😂 once I explained the situation they left me alone. Horrible experience all around for an app I was really excited about.

I have not received a single lead since the beginning of the service (in nearly 5 months), as opposed to what this app promised that there will be many “lead projects” they will send me every week. this app is absolutely the worst company, a total fraud company with very very poor customer service and all their representatives are liars and only good until signing up for the service the very first day. I did not even heard back from them the second day I paid $1188 to this company for their yearly membership that they called me strategically and tricked me to sign up for, until I had to reach out to them again myself a month later. This shows how terrible your company really is.

I will make sure to inform all architects and other people in the building industry that I know to not sign up for any services with you, and I know a lot of them. I will share my horrible experience on all media platforms.

With no regard or respect for a BS company and people like you. Remember that there is no difference between a thief stealing $1188 from me and you.

I have built many a house in the past thirty years. My how technology has changed and for the better too!

I am building and designing a house with an architectural firm and construction company. this app has become invaluable! From my original designs saved in an “idea book” to answering questions, sourcing products, pricing and conversation staters! I bring my iPad open to this app to every design meeting since the project started a year ago. It is wonderful to be able to look up a design element, faucet, room configuration and have all that information available. Having this app has also helped with ambiguity since photos make understanding elements clear and easy.
Here’s to this app and for making the project so much easier and fun!

My husband signed up for an account for our new business and was contacted by this app with an offer for them to build a business website for us and manage our this app account. He accepted the offer, paid $2000!!!, had phone meetings with this app, sent job pictures... and then silence. Website has not been built, our this app profile links a website to a competing contractor in our city and when asked to remove it no one has done anything, our emails are not being answered, phone messages not being replied to. No one is answering us and we paid money for services that not being fulfilled. I questioned this on the this app Facebook and got blocked from commenting. This company seems like a legitimate scam and I hope no one falls for it like we did. Definitely too good to be true.
(If anyone from this app would like to make this situation correct then please contact your customer, Red Lodge Construction Company and refund the money for the services you were unable to perform.)

I’m not trying to talk bad about Houzz itself, considering it’s a solid tool. I only had the chance to use it for a week or so before it started acting up. I deleted it and forgot about it. Few months later I receive numerous reports from my credit monitoring service about my email being leaked out and possibly in the dark web. I would usually disregard this type of thing, but THREE Other identity services came up with the same result and specifically noted this app as origin of info leaked. I never once received a letter or notification from the developers about this. On top of all that , all my attempts to contact customer service about the issue were disregarded. I can’t make this stuff up, and am sorry it had to come to a negative review for it to ( possibly )be acknowledged. Houzz is GOOD I repeat it’s a GOOD APP with solid features; and I’m sure the developers had no ill intentions ; but I am mainly unhappy with the lack of support and or info on a EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER my IDENITY.

We were planning to build a lake house for years. this app definitely helped with every step in the architectural phase as well as the interior design phase. It’s influence enhanced almost 100% of this home’s beauty. It is designed for ease of comfort, use and maintenance while offering much light throughout via its large windows, allowing the great outdoors to be enjoyed from within. We love the practical storage, floor plan, appliance placement in the kitchen and utility, the wall colors and stained woods. Just search on this app and you will find great options for inside and outside. I showed the contractor many pictures from this app to explain what we want. We have been in this house for three years now and love it. Thank you this app.

This is a fantastic app EXCEPT... updates have changed key features and now it’s a mess. Comments on stories are now listed “in reverse” so the most recent is first. That makes reading the narrative harder when participants are talking to each other. More annoying, the Notifications area doesn’t work on my iPad anymore. Just the notifications for stories, not discussions. If you’re invested in a DesignDilemma, you want to keep reading the narrative. The link never connects on my iPad -it does work on my desktop, which isn't helpful since I use my iPad more often to read this app in the morning with my coffee.
Updates like these are often the demise of a great app, this app is a perfect example.

Love the site for inspiration... I’m also happy with items that order from this site.... I was looking for a contractor to remodel my bathroom and came across Bliss Construction in Novi, Michigan, I received horrible service and an incomplete job. I tried to post a review on his this app website and the review was blocked... why?... Also, the site crashes at least once a month, so you have to delete it and then upload it again, what a pain... So if you love beautiful photos and great articles, this app is for you... but also know, this app will not allow you the opportunity to share any negative experience that you received from their advertisers... so all reviews are 1 sided....proceed at your our caution.

I bought I light fixture from SHOPFREELY on this app that cost $319 dollars I told them I wanted a refund on the item they asked if I wanted to get $114 and keep the fixture or get my refund, I ask for my refund and this Devin person all of a sudden starts talking and makes these empty promises to send me my return sheet so I can send the fixture back and I haven’t gotten a response back yet. I went to find the corporate number to find out that this place is a sham. Stealing money out of customers account. Hanging up on them and not responding to these issues. This is less than few days , it’s not even past the 30 day mark and I’m being ignored, I’ve taken pictures as proof if I need to take this further.

Wow, did I ever need this app! Both my kitchen and family room remodels were made using the ideas found on this app fantastic photos. Problems were solved, also, through seeing how other home enthusiasts solved their problems at this app. Without this app I would not have the masterpiece I enjoy today! Friends have asked me about these genius decisions and how I made them. I answer, “ With this app, I can do magic with my house!” And if I can make magnificent choices with this app, just about anyone can!!! Thank you, this app, you are a huge part of my accomplishments!
PS.I have purchased some great products there too!

I placed an order for wallpaper, it was promptly acknowledged with an estimated ship date. A few days later I received an email informing me that the estimated ship date had been pushed out several weeks. I appreciate the commitment they show their customers and their willingness to keep them informed. You don’t have to do the follow up, they do it for you! I received shipment notification and tracking information when my wallpaper shipped so I could track it if I wanted too. More companies should follow their lead!!! If you’re on the fence don’t be....place the order you won’t be disappointed!

I’ve been using this app forever. I love the featured stories and beautiful photos and I always get great ideas and inspiration for every room in my house. What I love most is that you can post any design questions, no matter how big or small. Many people (design PROs and non-Pros) respond with such thoughtful and informative advice. I often join the discussions and give advice on things I know about from personal experience and I’ve received many heartfelt thank you’s over the years. If you have a question or need a creative solution for your home or garden, this is Houzz for you. this app rocks!

Whenever I need new ideas, inspiration, new trends, color choices, I find a lot of education and thoughtful problem solving dilemmas with Houzzs content.
Beautiful pictures of before and afters of of projects are fascinating!
this app keeps improving their site all of the time. They know how to spot and discuss new trends with leading expect across the board. A “must” for those that can afford and/or appreciate superb taste. They have it covered with items for your house, apartment, and tree fort!
Sales are great!
4 stars because non sale items can be very expensive making it difficult for so many of us today that have to really watch what we spend.

I love many features of Houzz, but recent updates seem to have removed some of its most useful features. I use this app Ideabooks as a tool to help with remodeling and design ideas. The original app for years allowed the user to move photos around within each Ideabook, allowing one to compare a subset of ideas (e.g., compare bathtubs in an Ideabook on bathrooms) but that ability suddenly has vanished without warning, as has the ability to move from one Ideabook to another. This greatly diminishes Houzz ’s usefulness. Help! Freezing the contents and placement of photos in Ideabooks is not a good idea. Thank you!

Abundant choices! Need ideas? Conduct a search and look in photos, all styles are covered. Wondering how your choice will look in your room? Easy, their app provides you technology that allows you to see it! Working on a budget? They’ve got you covered from high end to low end and all prices in between. It’s my go to app for all my home needs. I also tell anyone who’ll listen that it’s a great place to begin and end your buying journey. this app a perfect combination of design help, with a broad range of goods at prices to fit your individual budget. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!

I’ve relied heavily on Houzz for inspiration for our remodel. However, recently Houzz has started behaving badly. When searching for a feature (say wainscoting), then trying to filter for the room, style, etc., Houzz forgets about the feature I’m searching for. It just shows all the rooms that meet the filter criteria. Also, when reviewing photos in search results, if I select to learn more about a photo, then close the photo details when I’m done, Houzz returns to the top of the search results, rather than the last photo viewed. If The search results have a few hundred photos, it’s extremely time consuming to try to figure out where I was. These bugs make Houzz significantly less useful. I’m starting to look for a replacement.

UPDATE: Support immediately contacted me after I posted my negative review and asked for details about the problem. Within days they notified me they had found and fixed the bug. Just updated Houzz on my iPad and no more crashes!!! Changing my rating to 5 stars!!

....When reading long design dilemma threads, Houzz crashes, forcing me to locate the thread and start over. This happens on all really long threads with several hundred posts. Once Houzz starts crashing, the only way to read to the end is to switch to Safari.
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I like Houzz but Players do not follow guidelines or rewards those who do. Players who decorate with rustic, contemporary, modern etc items are not voted by other players as doing a good job while other players who do as they please are selected as an excellent design. Players rarely vote for rooms using colors tend to reward all black/white rooms. In order to garner enough votes to win a prize you have to buy expensive items to decorate your room. The game has charged me for expensive items and then not given them to me. Had to write the game to be reimbursed. Although I was reimbursed, it made me wonder how many problems I may have missed with a large inventory of decorative items. Many of their designs seem to only be geared to use up as much expensive inventory as possible such as holiday items, art, rugs etc.

Joanne was so cheerful and easy to work with. We had sent for her to fly into the Bay Area to help us set up our new home. She studied our taste in various objects and paintings with attention to space and color. She went the extra mile to help us find the perfect sectional sofa in grey to compliment the multiple colors in our paintings, rugs, in contrast to our blonde wood floors. With an African and international bedroom and Carribean guest room, we have our dream house that we intended. We have a warm and inviting home that has an eclectic flair that is comfortable and inviting to all who visit.

I love the rich content, saving to unlimited private Ideabooks, ability to sort images by room and feature. But I especially LOVE that when my attention switches to another app and I abandon this app for whatever, when I return to this app the next day, the article or image or blog I was last poring over is still there in Houzz ! I love that it works like my own mental bookmark. Please keep up the amazing work, and don’t ever change anything about Houzz. PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE. (unless you make it better)

I absolutely love this lifestyle app! It's such a handy tool for finding design inspiration through browsing thousands of beautiful photos uploaded by Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Professionals, etc. What's even better is you can easily find and contact these type of Professionals in my local area to help on my upcoming home renovations. Houzz is also great for reading the newest stories about the top trends happening right now in the industry. I always like being in the know :)

App crashes when trying to rearrange photos within an Idea Book.

Why oh why did you change the size of the news feed photos to be so tiny??? As an example, when taping on “Latest in Discussions” and then viewing the “design dilemma” discussion, the pictures used to be on the left and were large and easily identifiable. Now they are tiny thumbnails off to the right. Remember, the this app app is a completely VISUAL tool. It is a complete fail to make the photos in the feed so small....it totally takes away from what used to be a great experience. Tip....never, ever, make photos smaller especially when you are using them for design guidance. What were you guys/gals thinking??

I absolutely love Houzz, and refer to it often. I have built three homes and I am in the process of building my fourth. Not to mention two gut jobs in between all this construction. I even hired my decorator by looking at the site because I could see her work and read her reviews.

My only suggestion is to be able to filter by state and not just metro area. I'm building a home in Florida so I have to look at Miami, Tampa, and Orlando separately. Why can't I just click on Florida instead?