GOLDEN, COLO. — Women and home-improvement contractors agree that the woman in the household is the primary decision-maker when it comes to managing home-improvement projects, according to an online survey conducted by ServiceMagic.

The Web-based service, which connects homeowners with prescreened home-service professionals, recently asked 490 homeowners and 485 residential contractors who they believe is the primary decision-maker for home-improvement projects. Among homeowners, the survey found:

• 8% of females see men as the primary decision-maker;
• 30% of males say they are the decision-maker;
• 25% of females cite women as the primary decision-maker;
• 8% of males see women as the primary decision-maker; and
• 65% of homeowners say they make these decisions as a team.

When residential home-improvement contractors responded to the same question, the findings were:

• 28% agree that couples make decisions as a team;
• 55% say the woman is the primary decision-maker; and
• 17% cite men as the main decision-maker.

"This is a very telling survey," said Rodney Rice, ServiceMagic co-CEO. "There is a gap between perception and reality within the household, and contractors are often caught in the middle."

He added that more than 90% of project issues arise from a breakdown in communication among the husband, wife and contractor.

"Many contractors communicate to one spouse or the other," he said, "assuming the couple talk to each other and agree on projects."