How to Get Handyman Leads: 15 Actionable Ways

What Are Handyman Leads?

Handyman leads are potential customer contacts interested in hiring handyman services. They usually appear via: 

• Phone calls

• Emails

• Contact form submissions

• Online booking requests

• Messages from lead generation platforms like Angi, HomeAdvisor, etc. 

Leads usually contain customer details like name, address, and number, but also info on the type of service they need, location, and preferred time frame. This allows a handyman to follow up and convert the lead into a paying job. 

What Are the Most Effective Ways to Get Handyman Leads in 2025?

The most effective strategies for generating handyman leads blend digital, traditional, and relationship-based tactics. The key is to focus on approaches that match your budget and local market demand. 

Here’s a breakdown of the top methods:

1. Local SEO

Local SEO is how you get your business to appear at the top of local searches on search engines like Google and Bing.

It’s an effective lead-generation strategy for handyman contractors because local SEO targets customers in your service area.

Local SEO strategies involve including relevant keywords on your website pages. For example, if you’re a plumber in Tallahassee, you’ll want to include key phrases like ‘Plumbing Tallahassee FL’ in your web content. 

When people search for that term, Google’s web crawlers will identify your website as a relevant result—and your website will be more likely to appear closer to the top of their search. 

Don’t know where to start? Try creating a Google Business Profile first.

It’s free, and your profile shows Google your business is legit, making it much more likely to appear in local searches. 

To rank highly, make sure your business profile is complete. That includes adding basic details like:

• Hours of operation

• Description of your service

• Photos and videos

• A local phone number

Another way to improve your ranking in local search is to get more customer reviews. Make sure to ask for reviews from satisfied customers once work is complete. 

You can automate this process with ServiceTitan’s Reputation Management features. Send automatic links to customers asking them to post a review, and your techs won’t even have to remember to ask.

You can use this feature to manage reviews across multiple sites to stay on top of your online reputation.

2. Facebook Lead Ads

Facebook lead ads are a type of paid social media ad that lets customers click on an ad and instantly send their contact details. It’s good for handyman leads for a few reasons:

• You can create a local following with Facebook Groups (more on that later).

• You can post videos and photos on social media that show leads who you are, making your brand feel familiar.

• You can use targeting features so you only spend money on advertising directly to your ideal customers.

To use Facebook ads, start with an image or video that tells customers about the services you want to promote. Select a budget and a target audience, then choose whether you want to prompt them to message or call you.

You can also use Facebook lead ads to retarget customers who have seen the ad before. This creates familiarity which makes customers more likely to take action.

3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC ads are digital ads that you only pay for when someone clicks on them. The most popular type of PPC ads are Google search ads that show up as ‘sponsored’ links on Google, but you can also run banner and video PPC ads on websites.

Like Facebook ads, they’re highly targeted; if you’re using Google search ads, you won’t need graphics. You’ll just need to create the text that links to a landing page.

You can specify your budget, location, and the audience you want to reach, and even run campaigns at certain times. For example, if you’re a roofer and a storm recently rolled through a particular area, you can run a PPC campaign advertising roof repairs.

These ads also give you detailed metrics on clicks and conversions. With ServiceTitan, you can take PPC ads a step further and link ad performance to ROI so you know exactly which ads are driving revenue for your business.

ServiceTitan’s ads feature also gives you a heatmap to track the most profitable ads, showing you where your ads should focus for better business performance.

Speaking of performance, ServiceTitan can use your business information to help you identify the ads that result in the highest-earning jobs. You’ll be able to continuously improve your ads by linking campaign performance directly to revenue.

4. Local Services Ads

Local Services Ads are paid Google ads that display your reviews, business name, and contact info at the top of local searches.

These ads can help you attract more handyman leads because they make it easy for people to get in touch. Also, rather than paying for clicks, you’ll only pay when someone reaches out to your business through the ad.

To start with Local Services Ads, you’ll need a Google Guaranteed badge. You’ll go through a screening process that includes checks on background, business registration, insurance, and license. Once you get the badge, your customers gain a little extra peace of mind since it means that Google may reimburse them if they aren’t happy with your services.

With ServiceTitan, you can make booking even easier by integrating Local Services Ads with your call booking software. Customers can book with you in just a few clicks, and their appointment info gets sent directly to your ServiceTitan dashboard.

From there, you can schedule techs right away for a more efficient service.

5. Referral Marketing

Referral marketing leverages your existing customers by encouraging them to tell their family and friends about your services. This strategy involves incentivizing customers to get others to book jobs with you. 

This creates instant social proof for handyman services since the referral comes from someone your leads trust. To get more referrals, you can:

• Include referral requests at the bottom of your invoices

• Offer special deals when customers refer you to someone else

• Encourage your techs to request referrals from satisfied customers

• Add referral requests to your email newsletter

• Send referral message templates to customers

For example, you could offer a 15% discount on future maintenance services for customers who successfully refer you to someone else.

6. Email Marketing

Email marketing still remains one of the most effective ways to nurture handyman leads and turn one-time clients into repeat customers. This method is not meant to convert immediately, but to stay top-of-mind with helpful and well-timed emails. 

Here’s why email marketing works: 

• Leads need follow-up: Most of your customers won’t hire on the first contact, so regularly emailing them keeps your business in their inbox until they’re ready. 

• Builds trust over time: Consistent, relevant, and value-driven emails show professionalism and reliability.

• Supports repeat business: Clients are likely to rehire or refer you when they regularly hear from you. 

Use ServiceTitan’s Email Marketing tools to automate and personalize your campaigns, and build hyper-targeted audiences based on existing customer information. 

With these hyper-targeted campaigns, your email marketing strategies will resonate better with your customers, equating to higher open rates and more bookings.

In short, the more targeted your audience, the bigger ROI you can expect. With ServiceTitan Marketing Pro, you know exactly how your emails are performing and which are driving revenue to your business. 

7. Lead Magnets

Lead magnets are free resources you offer customers in exchange for their contact details. They’re often things like e-books or courses that customers want to sign up for.

It’s an excellent strategy for handyman leads because customers often don’t know how tough a job is, so they might look for information and DIY strategies first.

For example, some of your customers might be interested in an e-book with seasonal home maintenance tips, like how to prepare a house for winter or quick fixes to prevent costly repairs. The information in that e-book may well get them interested in your handyman services for bigger tasks they don’t want to tackle themselves. 

With ServiceTitan, you can create email newsletters that act as lead magnets and keep a steady stream of information flowing to potential leads. Simply add a form to your website that asks for basic contact info in exchange for signing up for your newsletter.

You can send professional newsletters automatically and target customers directly based on data already collected in your ServiceTitan account. 

8. Community Involvement 

Involving yourself in the local community can help people get to know you more personally. This builds trust and creates brand awareness, which generates new leads.

You can participate in your local community by:

• Sponsoring local fairs, festivals, and sports events

• Donating to local charities that support a cause you care about

• Hosting free workshops that showcase your expertise

• Offering free or low-cost services to homeowners in need

• Attending local networking or industry events

9. Flyers

Sending out flyers is a time-tested strategy that works well with older homeowners or people who don’t spend much time online.

Potential customers can stick flyers to their bulletin board or fridge if they’re considering booking your services, giving your brand a physical presence in their home before they even book with you. 

To create flyers, choose a graphic or image that captures attention. Ideally, keep your flyer focused on one message with easily visible contact details.

You can also include a QR code in flyers so customers can access booking options on mobile, combining the best of both physical and online media.

10. Yard Signage and Branded Vehicle Wraps

Yard signs and branded vehicle wraps are powerful offline marketing tools that build local visibility and trust, especially in areas where word-of-mouth matters most. 

Think of your vehicles as moving advertisements. This strategy is great for local recognition, as it builds familiarity and credibility when people see your name repeatedly in their neighborhood. 

Since it’s passive marketing, branded wraps do the job for you 24/7, whether you’re parked at a client’s home or driving around. Seeing your name associated with actual homes in the area makes others more likely to reach out, especially if they hear you did a good job. 

Include a QR code on the yard sign or wrap that links to your website or a phone number to help potential customers contact you on the spot. Make sure to keep the design simple, clean, and professional—and don’t forget to include a slogan! 

11. Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs offer perks for repeat services like discounts on maintenance, special items, or bonus services with an additional purchase.

This helps increase customer lifetime value and boost your maintenance agreements for services requiring regular upkeep.

First, find out what type of perk your customers want. Collect feedback through surveys and peek at what competitors offer to create more competitive loyalty programs.

You can also tailor loyalty programs to different customer demographics. For example, you might offer a discount on gutter cleaning after a customer books a roof repair or a discount on seasonal touch-ups for exterior painting jobs.

Ensure you coach CSRs on your loyalty programs so they can offer them to customers when they call.

12. Social Media Contests

Social media contests, such as getting people to share something on social media for the chance to win a prize, encourage potential customers to follow you.

They’re a fun way to grow your presence on social media and get your followers to engage with your business. To make social media contests work, offer something small that your ideal customer would want, like a discount on home repairs. 

But choose your prize carefully. If you offer money or something big, you might attract people who enter contests as a hobby and aren’t really interested in your services.

Here are a few other tips on making social media contests work:

• Set a time limit: Social media contests can become tough to manage if they last too long, but contests that are too short can end before they capture attention. Aim for contests to last about 12 to 15 days.

• Make it fun: Make your contest post engaging, or create a contest that encourages participants to create something fun. 

• Be transparent: The laws around promotional contests in your area might require you to spell out the award and the winning criteria.

For example, you could create a contest that encourages participants to post their own handyman fails with your contest hashtag, then pick your favorite as the winner. Or, ask them to comment on the contest post with their best DIY home repair tip.

13. Trade Shows

Trade shows are a great way to pitch your services to local customers and network with other people in your industry. 

There are trade shows for plumbers, roofers, electricians, and other home services where you can set up a booth and pitch your services to locals while you network with other industry professionals.

When you set up a booth at a trade show, you can hand out flyers and merchandise and meet leads face-to-face. You can also enter promotional partnerships with complementary businesses, leading to more referrals.

To stand out at trade shows, you’ll need to have physical banners and eye-catching booth decorations. You should also have business cards and even small freebies to hand out to leads, such as pins or bumper stickers.

When you talk to customers, use an ‘elevator pitch’ so you can describe your business in a few sentences. If possible, consider showcasing materials or interactive demos to illustrate what you offer.

14. Partnerships

Chances are, there’s a local business out there that could be your next best advocate.

With partnerships, you can collaborate to reach another business’s customer base in exchange for something of value you offer. For example, if you’re a handyman, you could partner with a local real estate agent to offer quick home repairs or touch-ups that make properties more market-ready. 

Or you could team up with a cleaning service to provide a move in or out for homeowners, handling everything from minor fixes to deep cleaning. 

This is great for getting handyman leads because you can align yourself with other local businesses that have already established trust with homeowners.

To start, research possible business partners in your area. Consider what you can offer them in return, whether commissions, free marketing, or even a job well done.

15. Online Directories

An online directory is a list of businesses with links and reviews. You can join them to target homeowners who search for services in the directories they trust.

Directory listings also help you rank higher in Google searches and get into Google’s map pack. Signing up is usually free—you just need to enter basic business info and a link to your website.

Here are some examples of handyman directories:

• Thumbtack

• Angi

• Bark

• HomeStars

• HomeAdvisor

• Yelp

Make sure to keep your name, address, and phone number consistent across directories to signal to Google that your business is authentic.

Remember to stay on top of the reviews you get on these sites. ServiceTitan’s Reputation Management tool makes it easy by compiling all your reviews in one place, so you can track them and comment to show customers you’re listening (whether positive or negative).

You’ll also see which customers left the review and which tech served them for an overview of what you’re doing well and where you can improve.

16. Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups are communities on Facebook that are organized around causes, industries, and brands.

Handyman services can create a group to speak more directly to customers or join an industry group to widen their reach among customers in their area.

Facebook groups can be public or private, depending on your preferences. For example, you could create a private group of loyal customers to share behind-the-scenes footage, special projects, and memes.

Don't be overly promotional, whether you’re creating your own group or joining another one. Instead, concentrate on building a community and providing helpful tips and in-depth answers to common questions.

17. YouTube Shorts & Instagram Reels

Short-form video content like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels is a powerful way for handymen to build trust, showcase expertise, and attract new leads.

These quick, engaging videos aim to build authority by showing how you solve everyday problems and positioning you as the local expert. For example, you can create a guide on how to plug a leak or a before-and-after video demonstrating your expertise. 

In addition, short videos are favored by algorithms and are easily shareable, helping you reach more potential clients. 

Create helpful videos addressing common household issues, like unjamming a door or patching drywall. Make sure to add your business name and contact information in the caption or video overlay to turn those viewers into leads. 

18. SMS Marketing

SMS marketing is when a business sends promotional texts to customers. According to Fortis Communications, eighty-six percent of business owners reported higher engagement from SMS compared to email marketing, making it a great option for getting customer attention. 

Customers will need to opt in to receive text promotions from you, so it’s better to use SMS for follow-up maintenance reminders rather than regular promotions.

Texts should be:

• Short and to the point

• Focused on existing customers

• Linked to mobile-friendly landing pages

Setting up SMS marketing can be a challenge. Fortunately, ServiceTitan’s SMS features can help. Simply set a day, time, and audience for reminders, then sit back and let your software do the work.

Since all your customer information is in ServiceTitan, you can schedule text messages to send out reminders to customers exactly when they need maintenance.

Why is Lead Generation Important for Handyman Businesses?

Businesses with solid lead generation strategies can boost sales-ready leads by 50 percent and lower acquisition costs by 33 percent. 

Handyman businesses can use lead generation to attract new customers. Once you get the ball rolling, you can automate your strategies to make lead generation even more powerful.

Here are a few other key benefits of lead generation: 

• It leverages the mere exposure effect: Even if leads aren’t ready to buy from you now, they’re more likely to remember you if they see your name pop up multiple times in searches and on social media. 

• It increases your options: When you have more customers coming in the door, you’ll be able to choose what niche you prefer. 

• It boosts your profit: Creating more demand for your services gives you an opportunity to increase your price point. You’ll also be able to use the information from lead generation strategies to reach out to the customers who spend the most money. 

Be careful, though: 80 percent of leads won’t turn into customers. Your lead nurturing campaigns should focus on the other 20 percent that helps your business grow. 

How Do You Qualify Handyman Leads?

Qualifying leads helps you avoid time-wasters and focus only on those that are a good fit. Assess each lead effectively by asking questions about: 

• Budget: Does the client’s budget align with your rates and minimum service charge?

• Location: Is the job within your preferred service area to avoid long travel times?

• Job size and type: Can you confidently handle the scope of work with your skills, tools, and availability?

• Urgency: How soon does the client need the job done, and does it fit your schedule? 

To help you out, here’s a sample lead qualification checklist: 

• Client’s name and contact info

• Clear project description

• Desired timeline or deadline

• Budget range or expectations

• Address or job location

Just copy and paste the checklist above and make sure each lead ticks all the boxes. 

How Can a Handyman Convert Leads Into Clients?

Do the following to convert leads into clients: 

• Prompt follow-ups: Respond quickly to inquiries to demonstrate reliability and eagerness to help.

• Clear communication: Make sure to listen carefully to the client’s needs and clearly explain how you’ll meet their expectations.

• Provide detailed estimates: Offer transparent, written quotes that outline all costs and services.

• Build trust: Share testimonials, reviews, and photos of past work to boost confidence. 

• Be professional: Be punctual, polite, and keep the worksite tidy. First impressions go a long way. 

Doing all of the above will build trust and show customers that your business is reliable and trustworthy. 

How Do You Measure Handyman Lead Success?

Measuring lead success is important because it helps you understand which marketing efforts are working and identify areas of improvement. But you must track the right metrics to know you’ve invested time and money wisely. 

Key metrics to track: 

• Numbers of leads generated: How many potential clients are reaching out over a set period of time?

• Conversion rate: The percentage of leads that turn into paying customers. 

• Cost per lead: How much you spend to acquire each lead and new client.

• Average job value: The typical revenue earned per completed job.

It’s ideal to review these numbers monthly because it lets you spot trends, optimize your marketing strategies, and increase your return on investment. 

Over to You!

There are many lead generation strategies—from flyers to SMS marketing to PPC advertising, each offering unique benefits for your business. Choose the ones that suit your budget and business needs and get started! 

Start by picking the one that resonates with you and then switch approaches if it doesn’t pan out. Automating lead generation with tools like ServiceTitan can save time and help you try multiple strategies simultaneously. 

Finally, just like any skill, getting good at lead generation takes time. Experiment, and you’ll discover what strategies work for your business. You’ll be well on your way to new doorsteps and more revenue!

ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help handyman companies streamline their operations, get more leads, and boost revenue. Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25 percent in just their first year with us.