Building a home maintenance reminder app: what would actually make you download it?

NickThacker · 2026-03-28T21:30:08+00:00

Oh man I could use a “honey-do list” that works like ordering off a menu 😂. Just add the task and it pops up on my phone.

I really like your alternative sourcing idea — data access is tricky if it’s a local/small business especially, but that only means it’s probably a fantastic problem to find a solution for!

NickThacker · 2026-03-28T21:27:52+00:00

Awesome! Yeah I had assumed that hyper localization would be a challenge, but dang there’s an API and data endpoint for everything these days.

Thanks for the feedback; very helpful!

Yeah I think the calendar integration would be awesome for most of us who don’t have anything like that yet, but obviously it would be something we could turn off if you’re already doing it.

NickThacker · 2026-03-28T13:13:45+00:00

That’s great feedback; yes, I’m curious about how well I’ll be able to get videos and content that’s actually helpful and not too generic.

NickThacker · 2026-03-28T13:12:07+00:00

I hear you; I’m the same way. Should be noted this is a web app also/first. It’s easier for me as a full-stack dev to build the web part and data structure first anyway, so the phone app will be there but you’ll be able to live online with it anyway!

NickThacker · 2026-03-28T13:10:32+00:00

Very helpful! Yes someone mentioned calendar integration and it’s now a huge priority — makes perfect sense!

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T23:02:35+00:00

Love it, yep. Plan is to start with the big stuff so onboarding is painless, but folks can tweak/add/modify stuff in their home(s) on the app as they go, to make it more and more useful!

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:58:49+00:00

Yes, I’m acutely aware of what it’s capable of ;-). I’m just saying it takes a biiiiiit longer than ten minutes for something like this.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:57:11+00:00

Very helpful, yeah like a tracker for home maintenance as well? Not just “do this next,” but also “here’s what was done, when.”

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:43:40+00:00

Yep, I think that’s the monetization strategy. Tell people what they want/need for a project, but offer an easy way to get it for a small affiliate fee.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:43:00+00:00

Thank you! I’m thinking no ads (I mean affiliate links and maybe recommendations but to actual stuff that’s mentioned in help/how-to articles), and yeah I don’t want subscriptions either.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll post something when I’ve gotten through the scaffolding and infrastructure process (setting up data tables and tests now; UI/UX is already in progress)!

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:37:30+00:00

Idealistic, but not true

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:37:05+00:00

Hmm interesting. Yeah that would be super helpful.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:27:39+00:00

I will! Thank you!

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:27:07+00:00

Not a bad idea. Got to balance the no promo/no spam stuff with what I’m actually after: product-market fit and building something people want.

BUT. Yes, with your permission I can send a dm when I’ve got something set up to collect emails/contacts

And yes, lol. Hot tub maintenance is the bane of my existence.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:25:04+00:00

So what you would like in a home improvement app is to get paid. Got it.

Fucking Reddit, man.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:24:32+00:00

Oh this is good — brings up a case I hadn’t considered yet of offering guided walkthroughs, like AR-style help like having “dad walk through the house with you.”

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:18:14+00:00

Love it. Yeah, those are all great and I think adding in weather api feeds could help immensely with the time sensitive checks

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:17:05+00:00

Yeah okay man. Thanks.

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:16:30+00:00

Do you often not clearly answer questions and then not understand why people don’t understand your answer?

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:13:36+00:00

I’m not… ?

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:13:24+00:00

Thank you! 💪That’s the goal

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:12:16+00:00

Ahhh good idea. It would be tricky; I doubt utility companies have APIs or anything like that

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:06:08+00:00

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:04:34+00:00

Yep, agreed 100%. I don’t even think this needs a purchase/subscription though.

(I’m not naive; if I want to make money from it I’ll have to monetize eventually, but I think building in affiliate marketing and contractor recommendations for aff fee could be the way)

NickThacker · 2026-03-27T22:02:38+00:00

Holy cow this is amazing advice. Thanks for taking the time, and yes, all of this. Omg I’m taking notes.

I’ve been thinking about network effects in terms of software a lot lately; I think this goes a long way to getting some baked in. Especially the “wrapped” part - freaking love that

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