Remodeling: In da Houzz

What happens when you combine the words house and buzz?

The answer is the online community "Houzz," where design is democratic, said Liza Hausman, vice president of community at Houzz.

"Houzz is a website and mobile app for home remodeling and design," Hausman said. "It helps homeowners all the way through their home build, remodel or decorating project."

Co-founders and Palo Alto residents Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen created the online community while remodeling their own home in 2009. Houzz officially became a company the following year.

Houzz inspires, educates and connects, Hausman said. Users include homeowners and design professionals such as architects, interior designers, landscapers and contractors. Because the company earns revenue from advertising, Hausman added, using Houzz is free for homeowners and professionals alike.

More than two million high-resolution images of renovated homes are accessible through Houzz, Hausman said, and users can save images they like to online folders called "ideabooks."

"Homeowners can use (ideabooks) collaboratively with an architect, designer or contractor who they hire. Visuals are an effective way for homeowners who do not have the language of design to communicate," she said.

Houzz also includes a budgeting tool called the "Real Cost Finder," which shows cost ranges for projects, materials, labor and products based on ZIP code.

To date, more than 16 million homeowners use the free website each month. The Houzz mobile app, also free and available for both iOS and Android platforms, has been downloaded more then 12 million times, Hausman said.

"Many professionals around the country and in Palo Alto are getting new clients (by using Houzz)," Hausman said. "They are able to showcase their work to a much broader audience than before, when things were more strictly word of mouth."

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Remodeling: In da Houzz