Amazon.com Inc. today launched an online store where consumers can shop for home cleaning, plumbing, appliance repair, stereo installation and similar services. Called Amazon Home Services, it is available to consumers living in such cities as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

Amazon, No. 1 in the Internet Retailer 2014 Top 500 Guide, says only service and repair pros whom it has invited will be able to sell on the new marketplace. “Invited pros are background checked, required to maintain insurance, and expected to maintain a high performance standard,” the e-retailer says in a statement.

Amazon says it guarantees purchases made via the marketplace and offers a price-matching program that ensures customers pay the lowest price for services. The marketplace also offers what Amazon calls “verified reviews. All Amazon Home Services reviews are from verified purchases, so customers know they are hearing from real customers. No special sign-up or subscription is required to read reviews and ratings.”

Among the offers this morning for a ZIP code on the northwest side of Chicago were: treadmill assembly for between $115 and $189; toilet replacement for $409.52; and bathroom fan installation for $125.

“To find the Amazon Home Services store from the Amazon.com homepage, customers can click on the ‘Amazon Home Services’ link in the ‘Shop by Department’ navigation or type terms including ‘home services’ or ‘local services’ into the search bar,” the e-retailer says. 

Another online provider of such services weighed in on the Amazon launched today. “Given the tremendous size and need for innovation in the local services marketplace, it is not surprising that consumers will have choices,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “We see Amazon’s approach as validation of the local services strategy Angie’s List has pioneered, including the ability to buy local services online.”