Why can't you find a plumber?

Over the past 10 years, I've covered a number of startup companies that have tried to create online marketplaces to connect homeowners with plumbers, painters, gutter cleaners and other local service providers.

First, there was Imandi.com, the heavily-funded dot-com of the late 1990s that raised $35 million before deciding it was easier to make network management software.

Then came the ill-fated Judy's Book, which pulled the plug two years ago before restarting last fall. Other Seattle startups such as HomeSavvi.com and Zillow.com also have tried to streamline the process of locating the best local service providers.

You'd think by now that some entrepreneur would have cracked this nut. But apparently not, which brings us to today's launch of HelpHive.com. The Seattle startup -- operating in stealth mode for the past nine months -- has created an online directory of more than 6,500 landscapers, pest exterminators, roofers and more.

At this point, HelpHive is only focused on the Seattle area. But after the initial beta period, it plans to expand nationwide.

Former RealNetworks employees Karim Meghji and Dave Richards started HelpHive for the same reason that many of the entrepreneurial ventures mentioned above got going. Quite simply, they became frustrated trying to find someone to help with chores around the house.

They tried Google, Craigslist and Angie's List, but were turned off by either the lack of information or, in the case of Angie's List, the subscription fee. And then they had an idea.

"We looked at the amazing growth of our own friend networks enabled by new Internet services and mobile devices," the founders note on the site. "We thought, wow, shouldn’t there be a way to get more benefit out of our friend networks than simply sharing photos, posting personal trivia and exchanging virtual snowballs?"

In fact, the new service is designed to leverage existing contacts in Facebook, Plaxo and other social networks so individuals can get referrals from friends.

And the site is set up to allow consumers to rate and review service providers, with the company enticing reviews with a weekly raffle for a $100 gift card to HomeDepot.

The concept behind HelpHive may sound a little bit like TeachStreet, the Seattle startup that tries to connect people interested in learning languages, musical instruments and other skills with local instructors.

In fact, TeachStreet's Dave Schappell is advising the new startup.

But the key question is whether HelpHive can succeed where others have failed? Maybe after 10 years -- with advances in technology and consumers growing more comfortable utilizing the Internet -- the time is right. Or, maybe we'll have to wait another 10 years before someone figures this out.

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