Facebook launches new home services tool

Facebook wants to make it easier for users to get a little help around the house.

The social media giant is launching a new feature on its Marketplace platform that lets users search for vetted home services professionals like house cleaners, plumbers and contractors.

The new services tool is launching on Facebook today and will be available across the US in the coming weeks, according to the company.

Facebook says it will show professionals' ratings, reviews, credentials and location, making it easier to find someone in your area.

Users can then get a quote for whatever task they need completed by describing the project and sending their request 'to multiple professionals at once'.

They can also communicate with businesses in real-time via Messenger.

Facebook said it worked with partners like household service booking platforms like Handy, HomeAdvisor and Porch to develop the new feature.

'More people ask for recommendations related to home services on Facebook in the US than any other topic,' Deb Liu, vice president of Facebook's Marketplace, said in a blog post.

'Since the beginning of the year, millions of people have asked their friends for suggestions related to home services, such as house cleaners, plumbers and contractors,' she added.

The new tool in Marketplaces will make thousands of 'top-rated professionals' across the US available to users, the firm said.

To access the feature, users select 'Marketplace Services' from the Marketplace menu on Facebook.

From there, select the service you want and Facebook will give users an option to provide more detailed search results.

If a user is searching for a house cleaner, Facebook will ask them to note how often their house needs to be cleaned, how many rooms they have in their home and more.

After that, Facebook will generate a list of companies that meet your search results. Users can then view additional information like ratings and reviews.

Facebook first launched its Marketplace platform in 2014 and it's quickly become a rising competitor with Craigslist and eBay.

It lets users list or search for items on sale in their neighborhood, displaying photos of items for sale based on proximity.

Users can then adjust their location and search for specific items or categories such as clothing, household items or electronics.

The platform has grown in popularity and has spawned similar moves from tech giants like Amazon, Walmart and Google to connect users with local services.

Last year, Marketplace was growing at a rate of 18 million new listings per month.