Frequently Asked Questions

How much does contractor lead generation cost?

Contractor lead generation typically costs between $30 and $200 per lead depending on the trade and whether leads are exclusive or shared. Roofing leads average $75-200, HVAC leads $50-175, plumbing leads $40-150, electrical leads $45-160, and painting leads $30-120.

The real metric that matters is cost per acquired customer. Exclusive leads cost more per lead but convert at 25-35%, while shared leads convert at only 5-10%, often making exclusive leads cheaper per actual job won.

Is Angi worth it for contractors?

For most contractors, Angi provides diminishing returns. The main issue is shared leads — each lead goes to 3-5 contractors, creating a race to respond and a price war. Close rates on Angi leads typically fall between 5-10%.

Many contractors report spending $1,000-3,000 per month with only 2-4 closed jobs. Exclusive lead generation services, while more expensive per lead, often deliver better ROI because you're the only contractor receiving each lead, resulting in 25-35% close rates.

How do I get more leads as a roofer?

The fastest way to get more roofing leads is through Google Ads targeting searches like "roof repair near me" and "roofing company [your city]." Homeowners searching these terms have immediate need and high intent.

Combine this with a strong Google Business Profile (aim for 50+ reviews), Facebook ads for storm damage awareness, and fast lead follow-up (under 5 minutes). Exclusive lead generation services can deliver 15-30+ qualified roofing leads per month in a single metro area.

What's the best marketing for HVAC companies?

Google Ads is the highest-ROI marketing channel for HVAC companies because it captures homeowners with immediate heating or cooling needs. The best HVAC marketing strategy combines:

1) Google Ads for high-intent searches like "AC repair near me." 2) Google Business Profile optimization with strong reviews. 3) Facebook ads for seasonal promotions and maintenance plan signups. 4) A professional website with clear pricing and easy scheduling. 5) Fast lead follow-up — responding within 5 minutes increases close rates dramatically.

How many leads should a contractor expect per month?

A single contractor in a metro area like Indianapolis can expect 15-40 exclusive leads per month with a typical ad spend of $1,500-3,000. Roofing and HVAC tend to generate higher volumes due to larger search demand.

The key metric isn't just lead count — it's cost per closed job. 20 exclusive leads at a 30% close rate gives you 6 new jobs, which often outperforms 60 shared leads at a 5% close rate (3 jobs).

How fast should I respond to leads?

You should respond to leads within 5 minutes, ideally within 60 seconds. Research from Lead Connect shows that responding within the first minute increases conversion rates by 391%. After 5 minutes, the odds of qualifying a lead drop by 80%. After 30 minutes, most homeowners have already contacted another contractor.

This is why Ace Growth uses AI-powered follow-up that contacts every lead within 60 seconds — keeping the homeowner engaged until you can call personally.

What's a good close rate for contractor leads?

For exclusive leads: 25-35% is strong, 35%+ is excellent. For shared leads: 8-12% is good since you're competing with multiple contractors. For referrals: 40-60% is typical since there's built-in trust.

If your close rate is below 20% on exclusive leads, the issue is usually response time (too slow), follow-up process (not persistent enough), or pricing (significantly above market). Speed is the biggest factor — contractors who respond within 5 minutes close at nearly double the rate of those who wait an hour.

What's the difference between leads and appointments?

A lead is a homeowner who has expressed interest by filling out a form, calling, or texting. An appointment is a confirmed meeting where you'll provide an estimate. Not every lead becomes an appointment — some may be outside your service area or become unresponsive.

Typically, 60-80% of exclusive leads convert to appointments, and 25-35% of those appointments close into jobs.

How do I know if my leads are good quality?

High-quality leads have three characteristics: (1) verified contact information, (2) a specific service need, and (3) they're within your service area. Red flags include disconnected phone numbers, vague project descriptions, and leads from outside your territory.

At Ace Growth, we track lead quality metrics and filter out spam before leads reach you. If a lead is clearly invalid, we replace it.

What should I say when I call a lead back?

Keep it simple: "Hi [name], this is [your name] from [company]. I saw you're looking for [specific service]. I'd love to help — are you available for me to come take a look this week?"

Key tips: Use their name, reference the specific service they asked about, suggest a specific next step, and be friendly and confident. If you get voicemail, leave a brief message and follow up with a text.

Do Facebook ads work for contractors?

Yes, Facebook ads work well for contractors when used correctly. They're particularly effective for generating awareness before peak seasons, showcasing before-and-after work, promoting special offers, and retargeting website visitors. Facebook ads typically generate leads at $20-80 per lead for contractors.

However, Google Ads usually produces higher-intent leads because it captures people actively searching for services right now. The best strategy uses both platforms together.

Should I do my own Google Ads or hire someone?

Unless you have significant experience, hiring a specialist typically delivers better results. Google Ads requires ongoing optimization — keyword management, bid adjustments, negative keywords, ad copy testing, and conversion tracking. Poorly managed campaigns waste 40-60% of ad spend on irrelevant clicks.

A good agency or lead generation partner pays for itself through better conversion rates and lower cost per lead.

What's better for contractors — SEO or Google Ads?

Google Ads delivers leads immediately; SEO is a long-term investment. Google Ads can start generating calls within days. SEO takes 3-6+ months to gain traction but provides organic traffic over time.

For contractors who need leads now, Google Ads is the clear winner. The ideal strategy runs Google Ads for immediate flow while building SEO for long-term organic presence.

Do I need a website to get contractor leads?

While you don't strictly need a website to receive leads from a lead generation service, having one significantly increases your close rate. Homeowners will Google your company before booking — if they find a professional website with reviews and project photos, they're far more likely to choose you.

What's exclusive territory mean for lead generation?

Exclusive territory means we only work with one contractor per trade in a defined geographic area. If you're the exclusive roofer for the Carmel/Fishers area, every roofing lead in that area goes to you and only you. No other roofer receives those leads.

This is the opposite of shared lead platforms where 3-5 contractors all receive the same lead. Exclusive territories result in 25-35% close rates versus 5-10% with shared leads.

How long does it take to start getting leads?

You can start receiving leads within the first week. It typically takes 2-4 weeks for campaigns to fully optimize as algorithms learn which audiences convert best. By month two, most contractors see consistent, predictable lead flow.

Ace Growth typically has campaigns live within 5-7 days of onboarding.

Can I pause or cancel if I get too busy?

Yes — you can scale up or down based on your capacity. Pause campaigns during busy periods, holidays, or when fully booked, and restart when ready. This flexibility is a key advantage over annual contracts with directories. Your marketing should work on your schedule.

How do I compete with big companies that spend more on ads?

You compete by being faster, more personal, and more focused. Large companies have big budgets but slow response times and impersonal service. Your advantages: respond within minutes (not hours), be the owner who shows up to estimate, dominate a specific territory rather than spreading thin, and build genuine reviews. Speed and personal touch beat big budgets consistently.