Generating leads is the lifeblood of any home services business, but paying for ads can get expensive—fast. If you’re relying on Google Ads, Facebook campaigns, or other paid advertising to bring in business, you might feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of spending more just to stay ahead.
But what if you could increase your leads without increasing your ad budget?
The good news is that you can. By leveraging targeted marketing strategies, automation, and relationship-building, home service businesses can attract new customers organically—without spending more on ads.
Here are five proven ways to grow your leads without increasing your marketing spend:
1. Turn Realtors into a Steady Lead Source
Realtors are constantly working with homeowners who need home services—whether it’s for pre-sale repairs, staging, moving, landscaping, or security upgrades. Yet, most home service businesses don’t have a system in place to stay top-of-mind with realtors.
✔ Set up an automated realtor email campaign that keeps you in their inbox at key moments (when a property is listed, under contract, or closed).
✔ Offer realtors an exclusive deal for their clients—like a discount on first-time service—to make referrals even easier.
✔ Regularly provide helpful content, such as home maintenance checklists or staging tips, so they see you as a valuable partner.
Example: A handyman business can send an automated email to realtors saying, “Help Your Clients Get Top Dollar—Offer Pre-Listing Repairs”, positioning themselves as an essential part of the home-selling process.
Why it works: Realtors already have direct access to homeowners who need your services—you just need to make it easy for them to refer you.
2. Leverage Homeowner Data to Target the Right People
Instead of waiting for customers to find you, go straight to the people who are most likely to need your services. With verified homeowner data, you can directly reach:
✔ New homeowners who need things like security systems, home maintenance, and more.
✔ Home sellers who need staging, repairs, or moving services.
✔ Homeowners in specific neighborhoods where you want to expand your business.
Example: A pest control company can use homeowner purchase data to send a “New Home? Here’s Why Pest Prevention Matters” email to recent buyers in their area, offering a free consultation.
Why it works: Instead of paying for broad ads that might reach the wrong people, you’re targeting homeowners who are actively in need of your services.
3. Automate Follow-Ups to Capture More Leads
Many leads go cold simply because they don’t hear back quickly enough. If a homeowner requests a quote but doesn’t get a follow-up within 24 hours, they’ll likely move on to the next provider.
✔ Use email automation to follow up with leads instantly—even if you’re too busy to do it manually.
✔ Set up a nurture sequence that sends helpful tips, testimonials, and service reminders over time to keep leads engaged.
✔ Offer a limited-time incentive in your follow-up emails to encourage conversions.
Example: A roofing company can send an automated follow-up email saying, “Still Thinking About a Roof Repair? Here’s $250 Off If You Book This Week”, increasing the chances of closing the deal.
Why it works: Consistent follow-ups can increase conversion rates by up to 70%, and automation ensures you never miss an opportunity.
4. Maximize Your Existing Customer Base
Your past customers are one of your biggest untapped lead sources. Many home service businesses focus on new customer acquisition but forget that past clients are more likely to book again—or refer friends and family.
✔ Send seasonal service reminders to encourage repeat business.
✔ Offer referral incentives (like a discount or gift card) to encourage happy customers to spread the word.
✔ Use customer testimonials in emails and social media posts to attract new leads.
Example: An HVAC company can send a “Winter Heating Tune-Up Reminder” to past customers, ensuring they book service before problems arise.
Why it works: Acquiring a new customer costs 5X more than retaining an existing one—so focusing on past clients is a low-cost, high-return strategy.
5. Turn Your Emails into Lead-Generating Machines
Most businesses don’t use email marketing effectively, which means they’re missing out on an easy, low-cost way to generate leads. Instead of sending generic emails, focus on value-driven, high-converting messages that keep people engaged.
✔ Personalize your emails based on customer history and location.
✔ Include clear calls to action (CTAs) that drive leads to book a service, get a quote, or refer a friend.
✔ Use automated sequences to educate and nurture leads over time, so they’re ready to buy when they need your services.
Example: A home security company could send a “5 Home Security Mistakes New Homeowners Make” email, positioning themselves as the go-to expert while subtly promoting their services.
How Frontier Growth Helps Home Service Businesses Get More Leads—Without Spending More on Ads
The key to growing your business without increasing ad spend is working smarter, not harder. Frontier Growth’s automated marketing solutions and verified homeowner data help businesses:
✔ Reach realtors, homeowners, and business owners with precision targeting.
✔ Automate follow-ups and lead nurturing, so no potential customer gets lost.
✔ Leverage data-driven marketing strategies that generate more leads organically.
By using strategic email marketing, automation, and direct homeowner targeting, home service professionals can increase leads, boost revenue, and scale their business—without spending a dollar more on ads.