What Are 20 Low-Cost Marketing Strategies for Contractors? Try These Today

Charlie Gindele – a legend in the home improvement industry and former owner of Renewal by Andersen of Orange County – recommends that 20% of your leads each year should come from new lead sources, according to Pro Remodeler Magazine. 

This focus on differentiation is a genius move, especially when every home improvement lead seems to cost more than the last. But isn’t it going to be expensive to try all these different methods of marketing? 

The good news: testing new marketing ideas doesn’t require a big budget. In fact, many of these you can try from your desk or truck today, for little to no cost.

Let’s take a look – starting with the local actions you can take, and then moving to what you can do in the digital world. 

Start Local: Simple, Proven Ways to Get the Phone Ringing 

1. Ask for referrals (and make it worth their while).

The easiest leads you’ll ever get come from happy customers. Make it a habit to ask for referrals right after a job wraps up – and sweeten the deal with a small reward or discount for both the referrer and the new customer.  

2. Use yard signs strategically.

Every job is a free billboard. Place yard signs in high-traffic neighborhoods and always ask permission first. Include your logo, phone number, and a clear service line (i.e. “New Windows Installed by…”).

3. Handwritten thank-you cards go a long way.

After every project, send a short handwritten note. It’s personal, memorable, and stands out in our tech-forward world. This memorable communication will help you stay top of mind when their neighbor asks for a recommendation. Haven’t sent a thank-you note lately? Go ahead and send one right away to your last 5 completed jobs. 

4. Partner with complementary trades.

Connect with realtors, roofers, electricians, or landscapers who serve the same customers as you. Swap referrals or bundle services when it makes sense – collaboration beats competition.

5. Sponsor youth teams or local causes.

Few marketing moves build goodwill faster. Whether it’s a banner at the ballfield or helping a local charity event, you’re putting your name where your customers already are.

6. Leave behind branded door hangers.

After finishing a job, canvas the area with door hangers or flyers letting the neighbors know you’re in the area and can provide a fast, free quote. Simple and effective.

7. Speak at homeowner associations or community events.

Offer to give a short talk about maintenance tips or remodeling trends. You’ll position yourself as the trusted local expert – not just another contractor.

8. Wrap your truck.

A clean, well-designed vehicle wrap works 24/7. When you consider that your truck can be seen by 30,000 to 70,000 people a day, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to create continuous local awareness.

9. Offer seasonal maintenance checkups.

Reach out to past clients in your home improvement CRM and offer a low-cost “home health check” or a warranty service call. It turns old customers into repeat ones while showing that you care about long-term service.

10. Show Up Where Your Customers Are.

Attend local home shows, chamber meetings, or neighborhood events. The more familiar your face becomes, the easier it is for people to trust and recommend you.

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Scale Online: Let Technology Do the Heavy Lifting

11. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile.

It’s free and vital. Make sure your profile has photos, updated contact info, and accurate service areas. This alone can put you on the map – literally.

12. Ask for 5-Star Google Reviews after every completed job.

Homeowners trust reviews more than ads. Create a simple process (automated through your contractor CRM) that sends a review link via email or SMS as soon as the job wraps.

13. Post before-and-after photos weekly.

Don’t just talk about your craftsmanship – show it. Social proof sells faster than any ad copy ever could.

14. Join local Facebook or neighborhood groups.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure to do more than simply pitching your business. Answer questions, share insights, and become the go-to pro that other users tag when someone asks for a recommendation.

15. List your business on free directories.

Sites like Angi, Houzz, or Thumbtack often rank high on Google. Claim your profile on each, upload project photos, and respond quickly to inquiries.

16. Start an email newsletter.

Send monthly updates with seasonal tips, before-and-afters, or limited-time offers. Staying top of mind with your clients and prospects doesn’t require fancy design – just consistency.

17. Create short, helpful videos.

You have a wealth of knowledge that homeowners could use. Quick smartphone videos answering common homeowner questions (“When should I replace my gutters?”) build authority and attract organic views on YouTube and social media.

18. Automate lead follow-up.

Speed to lead wins jobs. Use your contractor CRM to send instant confirmations, reminders, and follow-up messages quickly so no lead slips through the cracks.

19. Build a rehash system.

Half of the leads you don’t close right away will buy from someone else within the year. A simple automated follow-up sequence – emails, texts, or calls – can bring those lost deals back.

20. Track what’s working – and heavy up on it. 

Use your home improvement CRM to log where each lead comes from and which ones turn into paying jobs. Use your reporting ways to double down on your most effective lead sources. 

Small Moves, Big Results 

You don’t need a massive ad budget or a marketing degree to keep your contractor pipeline full. Most of the time, it’s about showing up, following up, and doing it consistently.

Start local. Use what’s free. Then let technology do the heavy lifting. 

Builder Prime makes it easy to track every home improvement lead, follow up automatically, and see what’s paying off – so you can spend less time chasing and more time closing.

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