How to Get Leads as a New Contractor (Without Paying for Ads)

Starting a contracting business is hard. You're competing against established companies with years of reviews and referral networks you haven't had time to build. The good news: most of your competitors have weak online presences. Getting your fundamentals right immediately puts you ahead.

Set up your Google Business Profile first

Before you have a website, get your GBP claimed and verified. It's free and it's the fastest way to appear in local search results. Fill out every field — especially services, service area, and hours.

Once verified, ask every satisfied customer to leave a review. Your first 10 reviews are the hardest and most important — they establish you as a real, active business in Google's eyes.

Get a professional website immediately

Customers Google contractors before calling. They want to see that you're real, that your work looks good, and that other people have had good experiences. A website gives you all three.

You don't need a complex site to start. A homepage with your services, your service area, photos of your work, and a contact form is enough to convert curious visitors into leads.

Where to get your first jobs

• ✓Subcontracting for established contractors: Reach out to established general contractors in your area and offer to sub. It builds your portfolio and your network simultaneously.
• ✓Home services platforms: Angi, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor generate leads. The margins are thin, but they're a way to get jobs while your organic presence is being established.
• ✓Local networking: Chamber of commerce, BNI groups, real estate agent networks — contractors who know agents get referrals from the constant stream of homes needing pre-sale or post-purchase work.
• ✓Nextdoor and neighborhood groups: Hyperlocal social platforms are extremely effective for contractors. A completed job in a neighborhood generates multiple neighbor inquiries.