If you’re a contractor or home service pro—whether you do roofing, fencing, remodeling, HVAC, or anything in between—then you’ve probably asked yourself:

“How do I get more jobs without spending thousands on advertising?”

The good news is you don’t need a huge marketing budget to grow your business. With the right strategy and a few simple tools, you can start generating steady leads without draining your bank account.

This guide walks you through 10 smart, cost-effective ways to get more leads—strategies that work whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale up.

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1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP) – The #1 Free Lead Magnet

If you haven’t set up your Google Business Profile yet, stop everything and do it now.

Your GBP is what shows up when someone searches for your business—or for services like yours (e.g., “deck builders near me” or “roofing company in [your city]”).

A well-optimized GBP helps you:

• Show up in local map searches

• Build trust through reviews

• Get phone calls and quote requests directly from Google

Here’s what to do:

• Claim and verify your business: Google Business Profile

• Add your services and service areas

• Upload real photos of your work

• Ask past customers to leave 5-star reviews

• Post updates once a week (just like social media)

🔧 Pro Tip from Fillay: If you don’t know how to properly optimize your profile—or if you’ve claimed it but it’s not getting leads—we can help. Start here.

2. Leverage Local Facebook Groups

There are thousands of local Facebook groups where homeowners post looking for contractors. The best part? It’s 100% free to join and engage.

Search for:

• “Homeowners of [Your Town]”

• “Moms of [Your County]”

• “[City] Home Renovations & Recommendations”

• “Long Island Contractors & Handymen” (if you’re in the area)

How to engage:

• Don’t spam.

• Be helpful. Answer questions like “How much does a bathroom remodel cost?”

• Post before-and-after pics of jobs you’ve done (people love transformations).

• Ask happy customers to tag you in posts where others ask for recommendations.

Fillay has helped contractors build a posting strategy that works in local groups. Want help creating a post that grabs attention? Let’s chat.

3. Ask for Referrals (the Right Way)

The best leads come from your existing happy customers—but most contractors forget to ask.

Don’t just say, “Let me know if you know someone.” Instead, try:

“We loved working with you! If you know anyone who’s thinking about a new [deck, fence, roof], I’d be happy to offer them a free quote—and I’ll even send you a $25 gift card if they book a job!”

Make it a win-win.

Even better? Create referral cards you leave behind. Fillay offers design and printing for those too.

4. Post Before-and-Afters on Social Media (And Tag Your Location)

You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible to your local community.

Create a free Facebook or Instagram business account. Post consistently—even once or twice a week—with photos like:

• Start-to-finish transformations

• Happy customer testimonials

• Tips like “3 Things to Know Before Choosing a Contractor”

Tag your town and use relevant hashtags:

• #YourTownContractor

• #DeckBuilderLongIsland

• #FencingSpecialistNY

Bonus tip: Use free tools like Canva to add your logo and phone number to your images.

If social media overwhelms you or you don’t have time to post regularly, Fillay offers done-for-you content creation. Get started here.

5. Use Free & Low-Cost Listing Sites

In addition to Google, there are several websites where people go specifically to find contractors.

Start with:

• Yelp (free listing, even without paid ads)

• Nextdoor (great for hyper-local exposure)

• Angi (basic listing is free)

• Houzz (especially for remodelers and design-focused pros)

• Thumbtack (pay-per-lead, but can be budget-friendly if used carefully)

• Craigslist (yep, it still works—especially for smaller jobs)

Your profiles should include:

• Real project photos

• Keywords like “licensed,” “insured,” and service types

• Testimonials

6. Print Yard Signs & Stickers (They Work!)

Old-school, but still powerful.

Leave a branded yard sign or weatherproof sticker at the job site (get the homeowner’s permission). People walking or driving by will notice—especially if they’ve been thinking about similar work.

Make sure your sign includes:

• Your business name

• Phone number

• Website or QR code

• Service (“Fencing by JQ Home Improvement”)

Don’t have signs? Fillay can design and print high-quality signs affordably. Ask us!

7. Partner With Other Local Pros

Create a referral network with other businesses who serve the same clients but don’t compete.

Good partners include:

• Realtors

• Landscapers

• Pool installers

• Interior designers

• Handymen

You can refer work to each other or bundle your services.

Example: “We’ve teamed up with [Landscaper Name] to offer a full backyard makeover package—fencing, deck, patio, and design!”

8. Create a Simple, Lead-Capturing Website

Homeowners do their research before they call. If your website looks outdated, slow, or confusing—they bounce.

A solid contractor website doesn’t need to be fancy. But it must have:

• A clear list of services

• Real customer reviews

• High-quality photos

• A call-to-action (“Get a Free Estimate” button)

• A contact form that actually works

Your website should be mobile-friendly and fast.

If you don’t have a site—or you’re using a generic, slow DIY builder—Fillay can build you a high-converting site for way less than a big agency. Plus, we include SEO best practices and Google Analytics setup. See plans.

9. Turn Reviews Into a Marketing Machine

Social proof sells. Reviews not only help your Google profile rank higher—they give people confidence to hire you.

After every job, send a quick text:

“Hi [Name], thanks again for choosing us! Would you mind leaving us a quick review? It really helps local customers find us.” (include your Google review link)

Then repurpose those reviews:

• Post them on your Facebook page

• Add them to your website

• Include them in quotes/estimates

• Print them on your flyers or postcards

If you have 10+ great reviews and your competitor has 1… guess who gets the job?

10. Follow Up With Past Quotes & Leads

Most contractors send an estimate, then never follow up. That’s a huge mistake.

People get busy. They forget. They shop around. A friendly follow-up shows you’re organized, professional, and ready to help.

Use this message:

“Hi [Name], I just wanted to follow up on the quote we sent for your project. We have a few slots open next month and would love to help. Let me know if you have any questions!”

Do this at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month intervals. You’ll be surprised how many say yes.

Fillay can even set up automated email or SMS follow-ups that do this for you—on autopilot.

Bonus: Automate the Boring Stuff

If you’re spending time chasing leads, answering repeat questions, or posting randomly on social media—you’re wasting valuable hours.

Fillay was built for local service businesses like yours. We help you:

• Get leads through better websites, Google profiles, and ads

• Automate your follow-up process

• Look more professional online

• Save time so you can focus on the actual work

We’ve helped contractors all over Long Island and beyond grow their businesses—without spending a fortune on marketing.

Ready to grow smarter, not harder?
👉 Start with Fillay today