We have kept track of this for years and have used the knowledge internally. As things shift I found it interesting to see that we have some very powerful referral sources, interestingly a new one is on the radar. Often called a lead funnel, this is how our prospects find us and eventually contact us to do work for them. This is what we have discovered over time.

American Institute of Architecture

Architect Fed

This is a powerful referral source and one that we not take lightly, the fact that we can read plans and play well with professionals is sort of a novel concept. Many Architects have their go-to guys. I would not say that we have any particular Architect in our pocket but that is one way to focus on a lead referral source. I was asked to be a part of a marketing idea that focuses on Architects but it did not seem pure. Sure building relationships is a good thing however Architects are not required for residential in Idaho so they focus primarily on commercial projects.

Bank Fed

What? This never happens except when it does. As of late, we are being referred to clients who are going for their financing first. What we learned is that contractors especially remodeling contractors do not have their act together when it comes to working with banks and providing them with the timely information they need so the hurdle was low. We have our financial act together and provide lending institutions with the information they need in a timely fashion. Let’s see, is the bank going to want to fight to pull the information from a contractor you recommend to us? ‘Nuff said—Mic drop.

Referral Fed

Yes, this happens. we shoot for the goal at the end of the project to ask if they would recommend us to their family or friends and 9 times out of 10 they say yes. It plants the seed and all it takes is a desire to make the referral feel good about their recommendation. We are on stage and understand the value of a good referral. We have instituted a financial incentive as well that goes over well each time we hear that bell ring.

Repeat Client Fed

Clients occasionally have a second project or a phased process. These folks are planners, they value the relationship that we build and we applaud their willingness to use us again. This is a concept that I have been harping on for years, that we are your family contractor, I think the record is 4 times.

Google Fed

King of search Google is still by far and away our largest referral source. We feed Google with blogs, now over 500 of them on the website over the past 10 years. I have written about everything under the sun and have cast a wide net for prospects to fall into. I am proud of our organic marketing approach. It is the gorilla in a way because it is free and extremely powerful. The benefits were a slow burn but the consistency and providing good information has often introduced me and given me a leg up on those who choose not to spend the time showing off their experience and mastery of the profession.

Yard Sign

Sign Fed

We post signs at our projects and on our vehicles. Nothing is more powerful than to show off that the neighbors trust you. One neighbor exclaimed at an unrelated gathering that my employees were having so much fun. They were singing a song together. This is what I am talking about. Being kind to the neighbors goes a long way.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, click here to email me directly, or call 208-947-7261

If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did.