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You can frame a house, wire a panel, level a slab, and wrestle a rogue 2x4 like a pro, but marketing? That’s usually where even the best contractors start sweating.
The good news: getting more customers doesn’t require a marketing degree, fancy jargon, or filming a TikTok dance that will haunt your grandchildren someday. You just need the right tools and a simple plan.
Here are 20 practical, no-nonsense ways to grow your general contracting business, backed by stats, examples, and strategies real contractors use every day.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #1: Get a Real Website: Not a Digital Business Card from 1998
Your website is your storefront. If it loads slowly, looks outdated, or feels confusing, homeowners will bounce faster than a nail off concrete.
A dial-up era website quietly kills your leads. In fact, 62% of customers won’t consider a business they can’t find online. In fact, 73% of small businesses in the U.S. now have a website, so if you don’t have one, you’re already behind. Your website is your 24/7 salesperson, always working for you, even when you’re on the job site.
Your website should include:
- A clear list of your services
- A “Why Choose Us?” section (customers love this)
- A strong portfolio with before/after photos
- Testimonials with real names and photos
- A simple contact form that doesn’t ask for their firstborn
- Clear calls to action like “Book a Consultation” or “Request a Quote”
Think of your site as a 24/7 salesperson that never complains, never sleeps, and never asks for overtime.
For more on creating a strong online presence, check out this guide to Building Your Brand as a General Contractor.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #2: Make Google Your Best Friend (Local SEO)
When homeowners need help, they type things like:
• “best home remodeler near me”
• “bathroom addition cost [city]”
• “general contractor for kitchen remodel”
If your business doesn’t show up, your competitors say thank you.
Local SEO helps you appear in those searches so customers find YOU instead of the other guy.
Three things matter most:
• Optimized website pages (“Kitchen Remodeling in Austin, TX”)
• Local keywords (your city, neighborhoods, nearby towns)
• Backlinks and citations (local directories, partner sites)
Consider this: 46% of Google searches are local and 76% of people searching nearby visit a business found online within a day. Plus, 80% of local searches lead to conversions
The payoff? A steady flow of warm leads without paying for ads. Check out these Local SEO Tips for General Contractors.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #3: Claim & Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is basically free front-row real estate on Google.
It shows your:
- Reviews
- Photos
- Hours
- Phone number
- Service areas
- Recent projects
- Q+A section
Post weekly updates, add before/after pictures, and fully fill out every section. Google rewards active profiles with higher rankings. 87% of consumers use Google for local searches and businesses with complete GBP profiles are more likely to appear in local search results.
General Contracting Marketing Tip # 4: Get Reviews. No… Seriously.
Reviews are your social proof. Your credibility. Your silent sales force. Here’s how to ask for reviews.
BrightLocal says 98% of customers read reviews before hiring, and they trust them almost as much as a friend’s recommendation.
Pro tips:
- Ask every happy customer for a review
- Text or email them the direct link
- Respond to every review, even the good ones
- Use review requests in your email signature
Reviews build trust faster than any ad you could ever run. 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations and 72% say positive reviews make them trust a local business more.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #5: Build a Portfolio That Sells for You
Homeowners want to see your work, not just read about it.
Strong portfolios include:
- Before/after photos
- Videos and walkthroughs
- Project description + location
- Cost range (optional but powerful)
- What problems you solved
- Client testimonial for that job
This is where you separate yourself from “that guy with a hammer and a Facebook page.” For more on how to present your work, see these 10 Proven Contractor Marketing Strategies.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #6: Use Social Media the Right Way
You don’t need to become a full-time influencer.
You do need to consistently:
- Post real project photos
- Share behind-the-scenes updates
- Highlight customer stories
- Show your crew (humanizes your brand)
- Answer questions and interact
Facebook and Instagram are goldmines for residential contractors because homeowners LIVE there.
LinkedIn is great for commercial work and networking, plus, with 9,500+ construction companies active on LinkedIn, it’s a thriving referral hub. Did you know that 96% of small business owners use social media to market their companies and 58% of consumers discover new businesses through social media.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #7: Run Smart Ads (PPC That Actually Works)
Google Ads can feel intimidating, but they deliver results.
The average business earns $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads and many contractors see even higher returns because customers often have high intent when searching.
Good ad strategies include:
- Targeting specific services (“kitchen remodel”)
- Running ads in only the neighborhoods you want
- Using strong landing pages instead of your homepage
- Running retargeting ads so you stay top-of-mind
Ads aren’t magic, but they speed up the lead flow while SEO builds long-term momentum. If you're looking for more ways to get leads, check out these 30 Ways to Generate Quality Construction Leads in 2025.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #8: Create Content That Builds Trust Automatically
You don’t need to be a writer, you just need to answer questions homeowners are already asking.
Topics like:
- “How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2025?”
- “Do I need permits for a garage conversion?”
- “The 5 biggest mistakes homeowners make during a remodel”
Content builds authority, improves SEO, and keeps leads warm.
And yes, content marketing generates 54% more leads than traditional marketing. That’s not fluff. That’s numbers.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #9: Use Email to Stay Top-of-Mind
Email isn’t old school…it’s reliable. Email marketing generates an impressive $36-$40 for every $1 spent with an average ROI of 3600%. Plus, 59% of consumers say marketing emails influence their purchase decisions.
Use it to:
- Send monthly newsletters
- Share project updates
- Offer seasonal tips
- Remind customers of maintenance needs
- Announce promotions or new services
The key is consistency. Show up in their inbox, and you’ll show up in their memory.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #10: Network Like a Human, Not a Robot
Networking isn’t about handing out business cards until your hands cramp.
It’s about:
- Talking to homeowners at events
- Meeting Realtors, Designers, and Architects
- Being active in community groups
- Joining local business associations
- Supporting charity events
People hire people they feel they know.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #11:. Partner With Local Businesses
One of the easiest ways to get more customers, without spending a dollar on ads, is to form partnerships with other local businesses that already serve the same homeowners you want to reach.
Think of it like building a “referral ecosystem.” When a homeowner hires a real estate agent, plumber, roofer, landscaper, painter, designer, or inspector, chances are good they’ll soon need another service. If your partners trust your work, your name becomes the one they recommend.
And these aren’t small referrals. In home services, a single good partnership can send you dozens of jobs every year.
Build relationships with:
- Realtors
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Interior designers
- Roofers
- Landscapers
Referrals bounce back and forth like a pinball machine and everyone wins.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #12: Ask for Referrals (It’s Not Weird)
If you delivered great work, customers are usually thrilled to recommend you. 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know and 65% of all new business comes from referrals and recommendations..
Try simple lines like:
“If you know anyone thinking about remodeling, I’d be grateful if you passed my name along.”
Short, polite, and extremely effective.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #13: Yard Signs and Truck Wraps Work Better Than You Think
Offline advertising still matters.
- Yard signs create neighborhood buzz
- Truck wraps get seen by thousands per week
- Jobsite banners build curiosity
A single yard sign can bring multiple inquiries if the project looks impressive.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #14: Answer Your Phone or Pay Someone To
It’s shocking how many contractors lose jobs simply because they missed the call.
If you’re on a roof or under a house, consider:
• A virtual assistant
• A call answering service
• A CRM with automated text replies
• Google Business auto-response messages
Fast response = more booked jobs.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #15: Offer Financing (Make Big Projects Feel Affordable)
Most homeowners aren’t avoiding remodels because they don’t want them — they’re avoiding the big upfront cost. Offering financing solves that instantly. Instead of a $25,000 bill, they see an affordable monthly payment, and that makes saying “yes” a whole lot easier.
Contractors who offer financing often close 15–35% more jobs, and the projects tend to be bigger, too.
Why Financing Works
- Reduces sticker shock
- Speeds up decision-making
- Helps clients pick upgrades
- Makes you look more professional
- Levels the playing field with bigger companies
Simple Ways to Offer It
Partner with a lender that provides:
- 0% same-as-cash options
- Low-interest monthly payment plans
- Deferred payments (“Start now, pay later”)
You get paid upfront and the lender handles the rest.
How to Bring It Up
Keep it casual: “If cost is slowing things down, we offer financing. Want to see what this project looks like as a monthly payment?”
Where to Promote It
Include financing on your:
• Website
• Proposals
• Social posts
• Yard signs
• Google Business Profile
Financing doesn’t make you pushy, it makes your services accessible. It’s one of the easiest ways to close more deals without lowering your prices.
Learn more about How to Offer Financing as a Residential Construction Contractor and The Contractor's Guide To Selling Financing (Without Being Pushy).
16. Look Professional Everywhere
Professional branding tells customers you’re serious.
That means:
- Clean truck and organized tools
- Uniforms or branded shirts
- A clean jobsite
- Polished estimates and proposals
- A consistent brand across all platforms
It’s not vanity…it’s trust-building.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #17: Use AI to Work Faster and Smarter
AI isn’t about replacing people, it’s about eliminating busywork.
Contractors use AI to:
- Generate marketing content
- Build estimates
- Create proposals
- Organize project info
- Automate follow-ups
AI frees you to focus on actual construction instead of drowning in admin.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #18: Win More Bids By Selling Value, Not Price
Winning bids is rarely about being the cheapest. It’s about proving:
- Competence
- Trust
- Communication
- Craftsmanship
- Professionalism
Use clear scope documents, polished proposals, and detailed project timelines. Homeowners buy confidence, not only numbers.
Learn How to Win Contracting Bids Every Time and Stop Wasting Bids: 7 Ways to Win More Remodeling Projects Without Lowering Your Prices.
You can also learn How to Spot Money-Losing Estimates Before They Drain Your Wallet.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #19: Go After Repeat Work
A happy customer will hire you again and again.
High-trust companies get 4 out of 5 projects from repeat clients, increasing revenue by 2–7%.
Stay top-of-mind by:
- Following up after projects
- Offering maintenance checks
- Sending holiday messages
- Staying active on social media
Repeat business is the easiest business.
General Contracting Marketing Tip #20: Track Your Marketing (or You’re Flying Blind)
If you don’t track where leads come from, every dollar you spend is a guess.
Track:
- Calls
- Website visits
- Form submissions
- Ad conversions
- Referral sources
- CRM lead pipelines
When you know what works, you can double down and grow faster without wasting money.
Marketing For General Contractors Doesn't Have To Be Complicated
You don’t need to be a marketing guru to grow your contracting business. You just need consistency, visibility, and a plan that fits your style.
Start with three or four strategies, implement them well, and build from there. The more visible and reliable your business becomes, the more customers will come your way.
Your craftsmanship speaks for itself and now make sure your marketing does too.
