Word of mouth is great. But if that's your only lead source, you're leaving money on the table - and one slow month away from stress.
I've worked with dozens of contractors across the Twin Cities, and the ones who stay consistently busy have one thing in common: they don't rely on a single lead source. They've built a system where leads come in from multiple directions.
Here are 7 ways to get more leads as a contractor, ranked by effort and impact. Most of them cost nothing except your time.
1. Get Your Google Business Profile Dialed In
This is the highest-ROI thing you can do right now, and it's free. Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what shows up when someone searches "plumber near me" or "remodeler in Burnsville."
Here's what to do:
Complete every field. Business name, address, phone, website, hours, service area, categories - all of it. Google ranks complete profiles higher than incomplete ones.
Add photos regularly. Not stock photos. Real photos of your work, your truck, your team. Google shows businesses with photos more often. Upload 5-10 to start, then add a few each month after jobs.
Get reviews and respond to them. Ask happy customers to leave a Google review. Make it easy - text them a direct link. Then respond to every review, positive or negative. This signals to Google that you're active and trustworthy.
Post updates. Google Business has a "posts" feature most contractors ignore. Use it weekly - share a completed project photo, a seasonal tip, or a special offer. Takes 2 minutes.
2. Build a Website That Actually Converts
Having a website isn't enough. Having a website that turns visitors into phone calls is what matters.
Most contractor websites fail at this because they focus on looking pretty instead of making it easy to contact you. Here's what a converting website needs:
Your phone number visible on every page. Click-to-call on mobile. Not buried in the footer - front and center.
A clear description of what you do and where. "Licensed plumber serving Savage, Burnsville, and the south metro" beats "Quality plumbing services" every time. Be specific about your trade and location.
Photos of your actual work. Real before/after shots beat stock photos. Homeowners want to see what you've done, not what some stock photographer staged.
Fast load time. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load on a phone, half your visitors leave before seeing anything. Most contractor websites built on WordPress fail this test.
If you don't have a website yet, or yours needs work, check out our packages starting at $200. We build contractor websites that are designed to convert, not just sit there.
3. Show Up in Local Search Results
Local SEO is how you get found when homeowners search for your trade in your area. It's the difference between "plumber near me" showing your business or your competitor's.
The basics:
Consistent NAP everywhere. NAP = Name, Address, Phone. Make sure it's exactly the same on your website, Google Business, Yelp, Facebook, and every directory listing. Google cross-references these, and inconsistencies hurt your ranking.
Get listed in directories. Beyond Google, list your business on Yelp, Thumbtack, Angi (Angie's List), BBB, and your state/local contractor directories. Each listing is a "citation" that builds your credibility with Google.
Create city-specific content. If you serve multiple cities, mention them on your website. A page or section about "Plumbing Services in Shakopee" or "Kitchen Remodeling in Eagan" helps you rank for those local searches.
Earn backlinks. When other websites link to yours, Google sees it as a vote of confidence. Ask suppliers, partners, or local business associations to link to your site.
4. Ask for Referrals (Systematically)
You already get referrals. The question is whether you're leaving easy ones on the table.
Most contractors wait for referrals to happen organically. The ones who get the most referrals ask for them intentionally.
Ask at the right moment. The best time is right after you've finished a job and the customer is happy. "Hey, if you know anyone who needs [your service], I'd really appreciate the referral" is all it takes.
Make it easy. Give them your card, or better yet, text them a link to your website or Google Business page they can forward. Don't make them remember your phone number.
Follow up. If someone refers a lead, thank them. A text, a $25 gift card, or even just acknowledgment goes a long way. People refer more when they feel appreciated.
Tell your existing network. Your past customers, friends, family, and neighbors - they all know people who need contractors. A simple text or social media post saying "Taking on new projects this month" reminds them you exist.
5. Use Social Media (The Right Way)
Social media for contractors isn't about going viral. It's about staying visible to people who already know you and building trust with people who don't yet.
Facebook is still king for contractors. That's where homeowners spend time, and where your work photos get shared. Post completed project photos with a short description of what you did. Tag the location. That's it.
Before/after photos are your best content. They're visual proof that you do good work. Take a quick "before" photo with your phone before every job. After the job, take the "after" from the same angle. Post them side by side.
Don't overthink it. You don't need fancy graphics or a content calendar. Post 2-3 times a week - a project photo, a tip, or a behind-the-scenes shot. Consistency matters more than perfection.
LinkedIn is underrated. If you do commercial work or want to connect with property managers and general contractors, LinkedIn is where those people are. Share your work there too.
6. Follow Up on Every Lead (Fast)
This is where most contractors lose the most money. A homeowner fills out a form or leaves a voicemail, and you get back to them 3 days later. By then, they've called someone else.
Respond within an hour. Studies show that the first contractor to respond gets the job 78% of the time. Not the cheapest, not the most experienced - the fastest.
Set up text notifications. If your website has a contact form, make sure it texts you immediately when someone fills it out. Don't rely on checking email.
Have a system for quotes. If you can send a rough estimate within 24 hours, you're ahead of 90% of contractors. Even "I can come take a look Thursday" is better than silence.
7. Start a Simple Email or Text List
This is the most underused lead source for contractors. You have past customers who were happy with your work. Stay in touch with them.
Collect phone numbers and emails from every customer. With their permission, of course. A simple "Can I add you to my list? I'll text you seasonal reminders and any specials I'm running" is enough.
Send quarterly updates. "Hey, it's Ryan from Reasonable Tech Dad. Fall is a great time to check your [relevant service]. Reply if you'd like me to take a look." Simple, helpful, non-spammy.
Past customers are your warmest leads. They already trust you. They just need a reminder that you exist when they need something else done.
The Bottom Line
You don't need to do all 7 of these things at once. Start with the highest-impact items - Google Business Profile and a solid website - and build from there.
The contractors who stay consistently busy aren't necessarily better at their trade than everyone else. They're just better at being found and following up.
If your website is the weak link in your lead generation, see what we can build for you. Professional contractor websites from $200, live in 48 hours, no monthly fees.
Ready to talk? Call or text Ryan at (763) 200-6330.