Home improvement contractors are looking for ways to get more referrals from current clients and generate new leads. Referral sites are a great way to showcase your contracting business and capture client reviews that help you convert more clients. These are also a great opportunity to establish partnerships with local home improvement retailers, like hardware stores or building supply companies, and include your company’s information on their website and on customer purchase receipts.
Contractors can be listed on a variety of different home services review and referral sites, including Google My Business, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor. Many of these sites charge a fee to contractors, though some have free profiles. It is important to research the various options and look for a site that has a thorough company screening process, a high number of quality reviews, and provides contact information for contractors.
Most of these home service review sites are akin to the Yellow Pages in that customers can search for contractors in their area and view their reviews. Some have a ranking system that allows contractors to pay a premium to be placed higher in searches. It is also important to verify that the home services contractors on the site are licensed and insured.
Be aware that referral services can be risky, particularly for remodeling projects that require design and permitting. Frequently unlicensed people will bid on these types of jobs and will not pull permits, which puts the homeowner at significant financial risk. This can lead to hefty fines from local governments.