With shared leads, contractors have to compete on price and job requests turn into a race to the bottom. We share strategies to win these jobs, as well as an alternative with My Licensed Contractor.

Key takeaways:

• Lead generation platforms sell you the same leads they share with other contractors.
• This creates a highly competitive environment and makes it hard to get work.
• We share strategies to stand out when dealing with shared leads, as well as an alternative that can get you exclusive job requests.

All the lead generation platforms for the building trades follow the same model: You subscribe, and you get a notification when someone is looking for a quote.

The problem is that these platforms send the same quote requests to two, five, or even more contractors.

You end up competing on price, you lose jobs, and you don’t make much on the ones you win.

How to Win Shared Leads

There are a few strategies you can use to increase your chances of securing work on these platforms, but we also recommend exploring alternatives like My Licensed Contractor.

Respond to Job Request Fast

 When homeowners send a job request via a lead-generation platform, they’re looking for convenience and responding fast can make a difference.

Have a member of your team monitor emails throughout the day, or set up your email so you get these requests sent straight to your phone.

Even if you can’t put together a quote right away, send a quick introductory message to the homeowner to let them know you’re interested in their project.

Focus on Value Over Price

Competing on price only is tough:

• Some of your competitors are offering low prices and compensating with low-quality work.
• Others can afford to offer low prices because their size means they have a much larger volume of jobs.

Bringing your prices down too far means you’re not making any money on the jobs you get from shared leads.

Instead, we recommend communicating about value when sending your quote:

• Make sure you break down every single service you offer as part of a project and create a line item for it on your quote. Even small things like protecting existing finishes and cleaning up the work site can add value to your quote.
• Emphasize that you do everything by the book, including pulling the right permits and coordinating inspections when needed.
• Attach your warranty to the quote. This is a strong trust signal that tells homeowner they’re paying for peace of mind.
• Add a brief description of your company to the quote. You can mention how many years of experience you have or any specialties.
• Send them before/after pictures of similar projects. It’s a great way to showcase the quality of your work and gain their trust.

Don’t forget to follow up a few days after sending your quote if you don’t hear from the homeowner. Think about offering a small extra, like a $50 coupon, so homeowners feel they’re getting more value when they pick your home service company.

The Alternative to Shared Leads: Get Exclusive Job Requests With My Licensed Contractor

These strategies can help you win more jobs from shared leads, but you can’t build a stable, profitable business when you’re constantly bidding against three or four other contractors for every single job.

There is an alternative: My Licensed Contractor is a platform that connects homeowners with the best contractors in their neighborhood.

Unlike other platforms, My Licensed Contractor gives you the possibility to secure one or more ZIP codes in your area of service. If you choose the highest tier of subscription for a ZIP code, you’ll be the only contractor in your trade to get job requests in this area.

It’s no longer a race to the bottom, and you can find a balance between preserving your bottom line and offering high-quality work to local homeowners.

Getting started is quick and easy: All you have to do is claim your free profile. Once you have a profile, you can pick which ZIP codes you want to secure and upgrade.

You can see if your company has been pre-vetted here or apply to be listed if you can’t find your company yet.

Note: My Licensed Contractor is not available in all markets yet. Stay tuned, it may come to your state soon!

My Licensed Contractor is a product from Tempesta Media. We’d love to hear from you if you want to learn more about how we can help your building trades business grow!

FAQ

What are shared leads in the building trades?
Shared leads are job requests that a lead-generation platform sends to multiple contractors. You’re paying for these leads, but you end competing on price and response time.

Can I make shared leads work for my business in the home service industry?
Responding quickly, communicating clearly, and focusing on the value you provide can help you win more jobs, but you’ll still be sharing the same opportunities with other contractors.

How can I reduce competition on the job requests I receive?
You can move away from shared leads and use channels that offer exclusive job requests like My Licensed Contractor. This platform allows you to secure specific ZIP codes so you’re the only contractor in your trade receiving leads from that area, which cuts down direct competition.