Got any idea how many homes there are in the United States? Over 147 million.
That’s a lot of people who need driveways paved, basements refinished, plumbing fixed, and cabinets replaced. Yet here you are, struggling to generate leads for your home improvement business. Why? One word: competition.
You’re not the only skilled renovation contractor in town, and homeowners are getting flooded with options. So how do you stand out? How do you stop chasing cold leads and start attracting exclusive ones—the kind that want to work with you and aren’t calling five other contractors? We are here to help you out.
Here, we’ll share a few smart, practical ways you can bring in high-quality leads without begging for referrals or relying on luck.
#1 Join Local Facebook Groups
Where do people in your community hang out online? Chances are, they are on Facebook.
You need to be in there. Niche communities like Facebook groups can be a more effective way for small businesses to reach potential customers. So, join local groups that are centered around renovation or homeownership.
The folks in these groups are often homeowners who are either planning projects or looking for reliable local service providers.
Don’t immediately go pitching your services, however. Take some time to see what people are talking about.
The right time to jump in is when someone posts a question or a query. Offer some genuine advice. Share your expertise without immediately trying to get their business.
When you consistently offer valuable help, people will start to see you as a knowledgeable local expert. This can lead to organic recommendations.
Devi—an AI-powered social media assistant—is a case in point. Its founder says they have attracted 600 test user leads from just 64 Facebook comments.
#2 Run Paid Ads
Organic marketing is great. But when you need fast results, paid ads can do the heavy lifting.
When it comes to digital marketing for renovation contractors, Facebook and Google Ads are two big players.
On Facebook, you can target homeowners in your exact service areas, plus people who are into DIY or home improvement.
On Google, it’s all about keywords. Use keyword research tools to find out what people are typing and build your ads around them.
Funky Moose Digital points out that a targeted Google Ads campaign can help your business rank higher in search results, improving your competitive edge.
Just don’t make your ad feel like an ad. Use real photos of your crew, keep the tone casual, and include a strong offer like a discount or free consultation. Test a few variations and tweak what works. On a limited budget? Search Engine Land advises spending no more than 10% of your budget on experimentation.
Setting all this up can get overwhelming. Hiring a marketing agency that specializes in renovation pros can save time, avoid wasted ad spend, and get you leads that actually convert.
#3 Answer Searchers’ Questions with Content
People Google everything, from the cost of remodeling a kitchen to what’s better: quartz or granite.
On the flip side, Google wants to share helpful, trustworthy content with people. That means if you create content that answers the exact questions people are typing into search, Google might just reward you with traffic.
Look at what successful home improvement businesses in the US are doing. Check out their blogs, articles, and videos. Analyzing their content and style can give you great ideas for your own content creation.
You can create blog posts that delve into common home improvement topics or produce short videos demonstrating how to tackle simple repairs. The key is to provide valuable, actionable information that helps homeowners solve their problems or learn something new.
Adding gated content such as ebooks and whitepapers to your website can be a game-changer. New York Times Licensing states that they can entice website visitors to share their contact information.
Bonus tip: Share these posts on your social media and in local groups. It keeps your name in front of people without being salesy.
#4 List Your Business on All Major Directories
This is something you’d think every pro would do consistently. Yet a significant number either skip it or set it up once and never touch it again.
Don’t make that mistake. Be on all the major directories, like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Angie’s List, Houzz, HomeAdvisor, and Nextdoor. These sites show up all over search results, especially when people are looking for local services.
Search Engine Journal adds that listing in reputable directories can boost your business’ exposure as well as visibility online.
The process for listing your business on these directories is straightforward. You’ll need to create a profile and provide key information like your business name, address, phone number, website, services offered, and service areas.
To showcase your expertise, add high-quality photos of your work. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on these sites, as positive reviews can significantly influence potential clients.
Time to Put Lead Generation Strategies into Action
There’s no magic button for getting exclusive leads. But these four strategies are as close as it gets to a cheat code. So, test them out. Tweak them to fit your style. Before you know it, your calendar will be booked with clients who really want what you’re offering.