Getting a steady stream of clients is the hardest part of running a contracting business. The good news is there are reliable methods that work — the bad news is most contractors rely on only one or two of them. Here are 15 proven ways to get more clients, ranked roughly by cost and effort, from free and immediate to paid and longer-term.
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Referrals are the highest-converting, zero-cost acquisition channel in contracting. A referred client is already half-convinced — they trust you before they've met you.
Most contractors get some referrals passively. The ones who get a lot of referrals ask for them actively.
When a job is complete and the client is happy, say: "I'm glad you're happy with the work. If you know anyone else who needs [what you do], I'd really appreciate you passing my number on."
That's it. Short, not pushy, effective. If you do this on every job, you will get more referrals.
Your existing client list is a gold mine. Most contractors do a job and never contact that client again unless they call.
A simple follow-up system: - 3 months after job completion: "Hi [Name], just checking in — hope everything is holding up well with the [job]. Let me know if you need anything." - Annually: A Christmas or New Year message reminding them you exist.
This keeps you top of mind when they need work done again, or when a friend asks for a recommendation.
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the single most impactful free tool for getting local clients. When someone searches "plumber near me" or "electrician [your suburb]," Google Business profiles appear at the top of the results.
To optimise yours: 1. Claim your profile at business.google.com 2. Add your exact business name, phone, website, and hours 3. Add 10+ photos (your work, van, tools — real photos perform better) 4. Select the right service categories 5. Ask every satisfied client to leave a Google review
A profile with 20+ reviews and regular photo updates ranks dramatically higher than one with 2 reviews and no photos.
Reviews are the social proof that converts a search into a phone call. Most clients won't leave a review unless you ask.
The moment a job is complete and a client expresses satisfaction, send them a direct link to your Google review page. You can get this link from your Google Business dashboard.
Message template: "Hi [Name], thanks again for the work — it was great to meet you. If you have a minute, a Google review would mean the world for our small business. Here's the direct link: [link]. Only takes 30 seconds!"
Aim for 50+ reviews within your first year. This alone can make you the most visible contractor in your area.
You don't need a fancy website — you need a credible one. That means: - Your name and what you do, above the fold - Service areas listed clearly - Photos of real work you've done - A phone number that's large and clickable on mobile - A short "About" section with your face and story - Your Google reviews embedded or linked
A website built on Squarespace or Wix in one weekend is enough to make you look professional when a potential client Googles your name.
Most suburbs and towns have Facebook groups where locals ask for contractor recommendations. "Does anyone know a good electrician in [area]?" posts appear in these groups daily.
Join: - Your local suburb or town community group - Local buy/swap/sell groups - Home improvement or renovation groups in your area
Search for "[your trade]" in these groups regularly. Comment helpfully, not with a hard sales pitch. Over time, introduce yourself: "Hi, I'm [name], local [trade] with X years' experience. Happy to give free quotes in [suburb]."
This is slow at first but compounds. After 3 months of active participation, you'll be the default recommendation when anyone asks.
Nextdoor is a neighborhood social network where locals ask for service recommendations constantly. A verified contractor profile on Nextdoor with a few endorsements from local neighbours is extremely powerful for local discovery.
Sign up as a Business Neighbour (free tier available), verify your local area, and respond helpfully to any relevant questions.
Several directories get high traffic for contractor searches and are free to list on:
- Yelp (claim your business page) - Yellow Pages (still drives searches for older demographics) - Angi (formerly Angie's List) - HomeAdvisor - Houzz (especially for renovation and remodelling) - Thumbtack
Fill in your profile completely — incomplete profiles rank and convert poorly. Add photos and link to your website.
Before/after photos of completed work consistently perform well on Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. They show what you do better than any description can.
You don't need a professional camera — a phone camera in good light is enough. Take a photo before you start and another when you're done. Post with a caption that describes the job and your location.
"Completed a full bathroom renovation in [suburb] this week — waterproofing, tiling, vanity install, and shower screen. DM or call [number] for a free quote."
Do this consistently (once or twice a week) and your social pages become a portfolio that brings in calls.
Give your existing clients a reason to refer you. A $50–100 referral payment or discount on their next job is a powerful motivator.
Simple approach: "If you refer someone who hires us, I'll take $100 off your next job." Tell every client this when the job is done.
This costs you nothing unless a referral converts — and when it does, you're acquiring a client for $100 instead of $100+ in advertising.
Plumbers, electricians, builders, and tilers all work on the same jobs — just different parts. Setting up referral relationships with complementary trades is a free, highly reliable client pipeline.
Reach out to 5 local contractors in trades that complement yours. Explain that you'd like to send each other referrals. Most contractors are happy to do this — it benefits everyone.
Publishing a free tool online — like a pricing calculator or invoice generator — attracts contractors who are exactly your target client. They find the tool searching for help pricing a job, use it, see your brand, and sign up.
This is what TaskArc's free tools at /tools/invoice-generator and /tools/pricing-calculator are designed for: give genuine value, convert a percentage into sign-ups.
When you complete a job, knock on a few doors on the same street or in the same building. "Hi, I just finished [work] for your neighbor and noticed [opportunity] — I have some time available this week if you'd like a free quote."
This is old-school but it works. Your conversion rate on this type of outreach is far higher than cold advertising because you have a local reference and you're literally standing at their door.
YouTube is one of the most powerful long-term organic channels for contractors. How-to videos for DIY home tasks (that you secretly know most people will give up on and hire someone for) attract homeowners who eventually need a professional.
"How to fix a leaking shower" — homeowner watches, realises it's too complex, calls a plumber. If you're the plumber in the video, you get the call.
You don't need professional production. A phone propped up on a stand is enough.
Google Local Services Ads (not the same as regular Google Ads) show verified contractors at the very top of search results with a "Google Guaranteed" badge. You only pay when someone calls you directly through the ad.
They're more expensive per call than organic methods — typically $20–80 per lead depending on your trade and area — but they're qualified leads from people actively looking to hire right now.
Run them when your Google Business profile is strong (20+ reviews) and your website is in good shape, so your credibility matches the paid visibility.
The contractors who are fully booked don't use all 15 of these methods — they do 5 or 6 consistently and well. Start with the free methods (Google Business Profile, referrals, reviews) and add paid channels only once you have a system for converting leads into jobs.
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