Category Archives: Local Reviews

Who wants to deal with a broken kitchen sink?

Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2023 by No comments yet

These handy-people recommended on FPF do! Many members turn to FPF to ask neighbors who they use to fix faucets, screen doors, broken heaters, you name it… Then, members share their positive experience back on FPF. See these success stories below. 

What do you have that needs professional fixing? Ask for recommendations on your FPF, and check out FPF’s Community Directory with over 13,000 listings of local businesses in all categories! 

  • In Middlebury… “A valve malfunction shut down my kitchen sink and Shawn Frost, previously recommended here on FPF, went above and beyond in his efforts to get me out of my quandary the very same day at no small inconvenience to him and his plans. He is very experienced across the board in all things related to plumbing, pleasant, efficient, and professional, so I too am happy to recommend him.”
  • In South Burlington…We want to let everyone know that we had a great experience finding a handy person on FPF this week and would like to recommend him. Do not hesitate to contact Craig Bujold for any of your home projects. He’s a super nice person that works in Human Services and can tackle projects with competence and a smile.”
  • In St. Johnsbury… Several weeks ago I found a listing here on FPF for a handyman and I reached out to Isaac Poe. Now I am back to tell you what a positive experience it is to work with him. He was very responsive, on time, reasonably priced but most of all he did a high quality job. I could not be happier with the work he did for me. I highly recommend him.”

Want a Response? Try Front Porch Forum!

Posted on Monday, June 12, 2023 by No comments yet

Members get an amazing response when they post on Front Porch Forum. Check out these examples just in the first week of June!

  • Thank you to the over 2 dozen neighbors who wrote with suggestions about my hose leak! Turns out I needed to replace the anti-siphon valve. Multiple people sent helpful notes that walked me thru the process, and voila! No more geyser shooting out the top of the spigot and around the hose! Shout out to Martins for having the inexpensive part in stock. Gratitude to all of you who wrote, to Martin’s Hardware, and to Front Porch Forum! 
    • Porter in Bristol

  • “I want to express my thanks to those individuals who replied to my recent FPF posting requesting pressure washing help. I had nearly 30 replies (!) either offering to provide the service or making a recommendation.
    • Lee Ann in Salisbury

  • Wow, within minutes we had four offers of people willing to lend us their tampers for our patio project. And more offers still coming in! What a great community! And what a great resource Front Porch Forum is!”
    • Doug and Renee in East Montpelier

30 Responses to One Local Posting!

Posted on Monday, March 13, 2023 by No comments yet

At FPF, we don’t see how many off-Forum replies members get to their postings. We see a lot of responses in individual Forums, or we get hints, like the one below, revealing just how much activity is happening off the Forum between members.

“My recent request for hearing aid recommendations was a rousing success. 30+ people responded! (Costco was the overwhelming favorite.) Thanks one and all.” • Fred in Brandon

Wow! And, no, Costco did not pay us to share this 😉

Peak foliage inspires staycation adventures

Posted on Monday, October 5, 2020 by No comments yet
Have you taken time to soak in the beautiful scenery or take a tour de creemee to sample fall flavor offerings? Front Porch Forum members share some ideas!

“Seeking recommendations on your favorite fall foliage drives, apple orchards and other fall activities/spots you enjoy?”  • Rebecca in Stowe

“You probably notice that the color is popping out on the Maples around Montpelier. We drove to Burlington today and it is gorgeous! We plan to head up RT 12 to Morrisville and Stowe and loop back around to Montpelier on I-89 this weekend. We encourage you to get out there and enjoy it as soon as possible!” • Johanna in Montpelier
“Thanks to all the Aficionados who sent me suggestions for their favorite Maple Creemee. Plenty of choices to keep “us” busy (at a respectable social distance) while driving through our beautiful state, supporting small VT businesses and be sweetly rewarded in the end!”  • Julie in Stowe

“Now that the Island Line Trail’s bike ferry is back in operation, you might want to consider a mini-vacation in the islands. It’s a fairly level 30-mile bike ride from Charlotte to South Hero. My friends there at Health Hero Farm have two campsites that can be booked through https://hipcamp.com/vermont/islands-base-camp. They have a stretch of private beach on Lake Champlain that you might enjoy. Once on the island, you have numerous cycling opportunities — many of them on back roads past apple orchards, vineyards, mini-castles, and creemee stands. Here’s a link to our friends’ trail suggestions: http://cycletheislands.com . You can even rent a bike from https://www.localmotion.org/, if you don’t own one already.” • Wolfger, Charlotte

Share your staycation adventures and tips on FPF to inspire neighbors and help show some love for local businesses in our beloved small towns!

Local businesses find success on FPF

Posted on Monday, June 22, 2020 by No comments yet

Front Porch Forum is the best advertising dollars I have spent in a long time. And the money goes to a great organization! Just imagine how many cats are home safe and sound because of FPF.”  • Greg at Teacher’s Tree Service

Our advertising on FPF worked so well that we had to stop accepting new members! Thank you for the help and for helping to give us a platform to advertise our business. We appreciate all that you and the FPF team have done to help us and other businesses during this time!  Matt at Reap and Sow Farm

“Geez, I have 18 estimates and 6 confirmed jobs. Great results, thank you!”  • Duffy at Duffy Gardner Masonry

Have a small business?  Put FPF to work for you!

Local businesses receive support on FPF

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 by No comments yet

Turn to your neighbors on Front Porch Forum to find recommendations on finding local professionals!

“Thanks fellow neighbors for all of the wonderful recommendations that you shared with me regarding an Accountant for our small business. I’ve found each and every response so far so incredibly helpful! FPF is such a lovely resource and I’m glad to be a part of the community in this way.” • Ilana in Waterbury Center

“I was more than impressed that more than 12 (!!!) kind neighbors responded to my request for info about Limoge Garage Door. Everyone had good things to say, to which I add my own positive experience as a result. Thanks so much to everyone who responded, and to the FPF folks who make this kind of communication so easy, and help get the word out about ordinary people simply doing an excellent job.”  • Suzi in Burlington

“Just want to say thanks for all of the recommendations I received for a local forester! FPF is awesome!”  • Theresa in Waterbury

Happily, Vermont has Front Porch Forum

Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2018 by No comments yet

Did you hear the commentary aired on WDEV’s Friday morning news show about FPF?

In case you missed it, listen to the broadcast from Common Sense Radio commentator John McClaughry and learn why he encourages us to give a look at Front Porch Forum.

Best of social media

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2018 by No comments yet

VPR correspondent, Stephanie Green, shared her FPF experience on the radio this morning. Looking to her neighbors for recommendations on a good plumber, she was “astounded to get 13 useful replies in 24 hours…. I had no idea so many people read these posts so closely – or felt so passionately about their plumbers. And the re-connection to my neighbors was heartening. This, I think, is social media at its best, and it’s a relief when we’re daily buffeted by national headlines about social media at its very worst.”

Read or listen to her commentary at http://digital.vpr.net/post/greene-best-social-media

 

Trusted, local searchable recommendations

Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 by No comments yet

“As you seek referrals for tradespeople and other services, don’t forget that Front Porch Forum maintains an easily searchable archive of all previous postings. I’ve used the archive several times and have found it to be very user-friendly.”  • Paul in Hinesburg

“Getting recommendations for local services like house cleaning and firewood is one of the benefits of FPF. When making a recommendation I encourage everyone to use the “Reply to Forum” button. This helps out your favorite local businesses and it will also add your answer into the searchable FPF archive.” • Adam in Richmond

Summer work with the help of neighbors

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 by 2 comments

College students and landscapers find work with the help of FPF:

“Just wanted to let everyone know that I am booked with at least 9 people to work for this summer and will post something if I am open to more work. Thank you all to those who have replied to my Front Porch Forum as it helps a lot!” • Kyle in Moretown

“Thanks to FPF, I saw a post for landscaping, masonry, carpentry, painting, and driveway repair work when I needed help fixing our stone wall. Jeremy fixed the problems with speed and skill. He’s a clean, careful worker. I will hire him again.” • Casey in Johnson

“Thank you for all the recommendations for Lawn Care, we have someone now. I greatly appreciate all the responses and love Front Porch Forum.” • Kim in Morrisville

Looking for help with odd jobs around the house? Try FPF!