ROP

New app lets homeowners hire repair experts, keep social distance

Emma Jones
The Ask Ken app allows users to connect with licensed experts who can walk them through home repairs or installations via video chat. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Brian Bonell, Carle Place resident and owner of roofing company All Weather Guard, has been using video chat to solve home repair and installation issues for years. His new iPhone app, “Ask Ken,” makes this option easily available to the public at a time when the coronavirus has made social distancing a way of life.

Ask Ken enables homeowners to connect with licensed experts who can walk them through repairs or installations via video chat. The app launched this month and is available for free on the App Store.

“My best friend Jeff and I have been talking about this idea for years,” Bonell told Blank Slate Media. “Jeff is a successful technology entrepreneur and I own a residential and commercial roofing company here on Long Island. We have both renovated houses in the past and always utilized video chat with each other and other [tradesmen] to solve home repairs and install issues.”

The experts on call are equipped to address a host of issues, including problems related to plumbing, appliances, electric, security and smart devices.

In light of the growing coronavirus pandemic, Bonell noted, the services that Ask Ken provides are more valuable than ever.

“With new social distancing guidelines, most homeowners no longer want [tradesmen] in their houses,” he said. “Ask Ken provides a platform to get instant help from a skilled expert in any home repair scenario.”

The app is designed to be easy to use, Bonell said. Users simply select a home repair category, such as plumbing or electrical, and then choose a more specific subcategory—for instance, “clogged drain” or “power problem.” Once the customer narrows down the issue, they are connected with a professional who can assist with the specific problem.

Most issues can be resolved in under 12 minutes for $40 or less. Each repair is priced based on the level or expertise required, and customers always know the cost of the call before connecting with an expert. Bonell emphasized that Ask Ken has a money-back guarantee.

In the future, Bonell said he hopes to add a feature that would allow users to connect with a local professional for an in-home visit if an Ask Ken expert is unable to resolve a particular issue.

“We are in this for the long haul,” he said, “and that’s why we really care deeply about creating a quality experience for our customers.”

Share this Article