No, they know we are when they post it. I know I appreciate their viewpoint.

So, thank you.

Well, I haven't actually received any advice here but, I think the PRO's have the option of helping or not responding. That being said, I think if a PRO is amenable to helping it resonates and people from Houzz would be more apt to look at a PRO here than elsewhere when they are ready to spend some money on a professional.

Why would anyone feel guilty?

Belahn: "why would anyone feel guilty?"
exactly my thoughts

you're not *stealing* the idea. they gave it to you. Doesn't that indicate they'd *like* you to use it?

and if you do feel guilty, shouldn't you feel equally guilty about taking non pro's ideas?

No, because they are providing the advice free of charge. If you want money than they shouldn't post their advice on public forums

The comments and poll results show exactly why Pros should not give anything away. It is not seen as a sample to entice someone to use their services. Their services are seen as entitlements.

Sophie, I don't see it as entitlement. As a participant in HOUZZ, we are free to comment or not. If a pro chooses to comment, that is their decision. FYI, I'm glad you choose to, as I always find your advice on point.

I don't think the results are indicative of an attitude of entitlement at all.
People who feel entitled to something demand it, and the other party is generally pressured to provide it.
People who generously offer something, and those who accept it are not necessarily doing so because they feel entitled or obligated, rather appreciative and willing. This is entirely voluntary on both sides

I assume any professional offering advice in these discussions do not expect compensation and offers only the amount they feel comfortable with. For those of you that do feel guilty, send $100 to . . .

mark you should never tempt us that way! the mark bischak election fund? if we give Sophie the $100s will she play nice? I have seen people here though that i feel have a sense of entitlement. they only want grover to give them a pic of their room all decked out. or they give us no background info and want us all to be part of their personal fashion show, reminds me of 'to the manor born'.

Actually helps me engage other pros in my area and gives me confidence! Thank you Pros!!!

For free I give good answers. For money I give great answers.

Good one Mark!

Sophie, I appreciate the viewpoints any Pro, including you, cares to leave. I also wouldn't ask any of you to redo a room on this, or any other, site for nothing. There's a few of you that, when I can afford it, i would love some long distance help from.

someone was mean to Bev once, Bev gave all this help and then she wanted to know who to hire to get the things bev had shown her. that was wrong.

A professional has a choice to answer, there really is no great mystery here. There should be no guilt.

i think with the size of houzz, it would serve a few purposes. it is a way to get the word of your existence out to millions at once.

the more you play here, the more portfolio and advertising you have building up and actually to me it is the best kind. think about it, if you were to decide to do something in your home and were wanting to hire someone? i would come here, i could look up all the conversations they have been in and what kind of advice they have given, allowing me to match myself with whom i thought was the best match for me.

Lastly, i think it might be good to see what is a good trend in reality and what isn't. even in my pillows there are some i throw away sometimes, because i can never find anything else to go with it or noone ever likes that one.

i still believe noone should take advantage on either side. but does above sound true?

As a pro, I love getting in on discussions and helping people!

I offer up product and installation advice and general design questions, but I won't design someone's kitchen or give feedback on their posted layouts. In fact, I avoid the layout posts altogether. I've been on Houzz for 5 years. In that time, I've had people call my store from out of my area to pick my brain or email me asking for design help...or if I could quote their kitchen. I am happy to talk to someone for a few minutes to be nice or reply to an email about a product, but I won't get involved with someone price shopping out of their area. I have enough clients here to keep me busy. :-) On two occasions, I've had people so thankful for my input, they did send me a VISA gift card and one lady sent me flowers. I was so very grateful...as these phone calls and emails take up a lot of my time and mental energy.

No I don't - just as I don't feel guilty if I don't take their advice. Lol :)

Besides they know they r not getting paid n give advice anyway, and they know some people simply can't afford to hire an expert, esp if they only have a little problem with their design project.

So from me, I give All the experts a big Kudos! it just shows there are still good people in this world...

We like giving advice! It helps keep us sharp :)

I wouldn't call it advice, but rather tips that can be equally gathered from competent DIYers

The catch of course is that the pros actually have qualifications, whereas a lot of the DIYers just have self-confidence. So, while there are DIYers who do give good advice, there are many who don't. Buyer beware.

"Buyer"????

We enjoy helping people out with a simple answer here or there. As has been stated on this poll already, it is the Pro's choice to answer a question or not :)

If we're able to help and you're able to have a better home as a result, great! And if you want to hire us to do a professional job for you, also great!

Houzz is also a forum and most Pros who chime in are doing so because they are happy to help with simple questions.

No, they are free to give advice or not. It's their decision.