The 7 Best Marketing Strategies for Small Contractors

Running a contracting business is tough. Between quoting jobs, managing crews, and keeping clients happy, marketing often falls to the bottom of the list. But without new leads coming in, even the best contractors can struggle to grow.

The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or a full time marketing team. With the right strategies, small contractors can compete with the big players and keep the phone ringing.

Here are 7 proven marketing strategies every contractor should use in 2025.

1. Build a Professional Website

Your website is your online storefront. If it looks outdated or loads slowly, potential clients will move on. A clean, mobile-friendly site with clear contact info and photos of your work builds trust instantly.

👉 Pro tip: Add a “Request a Quote” button at the top of every page so clients never have to hunt for it.

2. Get Found on Google (Local SEO)

When homeowners search “plumber near me” or “best roofing contractor,” you want to show up. Local SEO helps your business appear in Google searches and maps. This means optimizing your website with the right keywords and keeping your Google Business Profile up to date.

👉 Pro tip: Collect reviews from every happy customer—they push you higher in the search results.

3. Use Google Business Profile (Free Tool!)

This free listing from Google is like digital word-of-mouth. Post photos of recent projects, share updates, and make sure your phone number and hours are correct. Many contractors get 50%+ of their calls directly from this listing.

4. Share Before & After Photos on Social Media

Contracting is visual work—show it off! Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok are great platforms to showcase transformations. You don’t need to post daily—just share one or two solid projects per week.

👉 Pro tip: Use simple captions like “From old to new in just 3 days—what do you think?” to get engagement.

5. Run Small, Targeted Ads

If you want results fast, try Google Ads or Facebook Ads. With the right targeting, you can spend as little as $10–15 a day and start generating leads. The key is to focus on specific services (like “kitchen renovations Surrey”) rather than broad ads that waste money.

6. Network Locally

Join local business associations, trade groups, and even Facebook community pages. Word-of-mouth referrals are still one of the strongest marketing channels for contractors. The more people know your name, the more jobs you’ll land.

7. Offer a Simple Freebie

Homeowners love free value. Offer a downloadable “Home Maintenance Checklist” or “Top 5 Roofing Mistakes to Avoid.” This positions you as the expert and gives potential clients a reason to contact you.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to master all 7 strategies overnight. Start with one or two—like fixing your website and setting up your Google Business Profile then add more over time. Consistency beats complexity every time.

👉 Want help putting these strategies in place? At BrightShip Digital, we specialize in helping contractors get more leads online. Book a free website & marketing audit today and find out which strategies will give your business the biggest boost.