If you’re a remodeler, you’ve probably built your business off word-of-mouth. One neighbor tells another, and the jobs keep rolling in. But at some point, referrals slow down and that’s when most remodeling companies hit a wall.
You start asking yourself:
“How do I get more remodeling leads without relying on other people to send them my way?”
That’s exactly what this article is about.
Because once you figure out how to generate leads on your own, you’ll have control, consistency, and confidence in your pipeline. You’ll stop wondering, “Where will my next job come from?” and start building a business that grows on purpose not by accident.
Unfortunately, most remodelers don’t know where to start. And worse, they’re afraid to spend money without knowing what works.
Let’s fix that.
The Real Reason Most Remodelers Struggle With Lead Generation
Here’s the hard truth: relying on referrals feels safe but it’s not scalable. It’s like sitting around waiting for rain instead of digging a well.
Why do so many remodeling companies get stuck? Because:
- They’ve never had to market before, leads “just showed up”
- They’re unsure what digital marketing even means
- They’ve been burned before by bad marketing advice or shady agencies
- They try something once, don’t see results right away, and give up
- They don’t have a clear, consistent plan that builds over time
You’re not alone. But you are responsible. Let’s show you how to fix it for good.
Step 1: Get Found Where Homeowners Are Already Searching (Google)
Why this matters: People are already looking for you. But if you’re not showing up when they search, they’ll find someone else.
This is the foundation of remodeling lead generation: show up in the right place, at the right time, with the right message.
Here’s where to start:
a) Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
This is how you show up on maps, local searches, and the “near me” crowd.
Make sure to:
- Use your real business name and service categories
- Add real project photos
- Ask for Google reviews after every job
b) Invest in Local SEO
This means writing pages and blog posts that match what people are searching:
- “Kitchen remodeling in [City]”
- “Bathroom remodel cost in [City]”
- “Best remodelers near me”
When Google sees that your website answers these questions, it moves you up the rankings and that’s when the phone starts ringing.
c) Run Google Ads (the right way)
Want fast results while your SEO builds? Run highly targeted Google Ads to local homeowners actively searching for remodelers. Focus on keywords with buying intent like:
- “home addition contractor near me”
- “kitchen remodel quote”
Real story: One remodeler we worked with had never gotten a lead online. Within 30 days of launching a focused Google Ads campaign and optimizing their Google profile, they booked 3 projects totaling $94K in revenue.
No referrals. Just strategy.
Step 2: Become the Most Helpful Teacher in Your Market
Where most people go wrong: They sell too fast and explain too little. Homeowners don’t want to be “sold” they want to be educated.
This is the heart of inbound marketing for remodelers, and it’s straight from Marcus Sheridan: “They ask, you answer.”
So what are homeowners asking?
- How much does remodeling cost?
- How long will it take?
- What can go wrong?
- What should I ask before hiring a contractor?
- Is your company the right fit for my project?
Here’s how to answer:
- Write blog posts like “How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in [City]?”
- Create a page called “10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Remodeler”
- Film a 2-minute video explaining your design-build process
- Share case studies of past projects—real numbers, real outcomes
Why this works: It builds trust before the first conversation. You’re no longer a “salesperson” you’re a guide. And people buy from guides they trust.
Pro tip: Include these answers on your website, not buried in social media. SEO + helpful content = long-term traffic that compounds over time.
Step 3: Use a Simple CRM to Follow Up Faster and Better
This is where the best leads are won or lost.
You can have the best website, the best ads, and the best photos… but if you take 24 hours to respond to a lead, it’s over. Homeowners move fast. And if you’re not the first one to respond, you’re probably not getting the job.
Here’s what to do:
- Use a simple CRM (like GoHighLevel, Jobber, HubSpot)
- Set up an automation that replies instantly with a text/email like:
“Thanks for reaching out! We got your message and will be in touch shortly.” - Create a follow-up sequence: call once, then text, then email if needed
- Always follow up at least 3 times if they don’t respond
Real story: A remodeler we coached installed a CRM with basic follow-up automation. Before, they were losing 50% of their leads. After automation? Their close rate nearly doubled—and they didn’t spend a dollar more on ads.
It wasn’t more leads they needed it was better follow-up.
What This All Ladders Up To: Predictable, Scalable Growth
The beauty of this system is that it doesn’t rely on chance. It doesn’t require you to be a marketing genius. It’s just a repeatable lead generation machine for remodeling companies:
- Get found (Google, SEO, Ads)
- Build trust (educational content)
- Close the loop (follow up fast)
No more hoping the phone rings. No more waiting for someone else to mention your name.
This is how you take control of your pipeline.
Common Objections (And Honest Answers)
“Does this mean I can stop asking for referrals?”
No but it means you won’t need them to survive. They become icing on the cake—not the whole meal.
“What if I don’t have time to write blogs or shoot videos?”
Then delegate it. There are marketing partners (like us) who can handle it for you, using your voice, your story, and your expertise.
“How much does this cost?”
Expect to invest 5–10% of your annual revenue if you want to grow. For example, $50K–$100K/year for a $1M remodeling business. That budget can include SEO, ads, website improvements, and CRM tools.
“What if I’ve tried marketing before and it didn’t work?”
Then it wasn’t the right strategy or it didn’t run long enough. That’s why this system is based on data, consistency, and real homeowner behavior not guessing.
Final Word: You Don’t Need to Wait for Referrals to Grow
Homeowners are searching. They’re asking questions. They want to remodel.
If you’re not showing up, someone else will.
So if you’re tired of slow months, referral droughts, or inconsistent revenue—this is your roadmap to get back in control.
