How to Get More Customers as a Tradesman

The best tradespeople are not always the busiest. Being brilliant at your trade gets you repeat work and referrals over time, but if you are starting out, growing, or have just hit a quiet patch, you need a proper plan for getting customers through the door. The good news is that there has never been more demand for good tradespeople in the UK. The bad news is that there is also more competition, and customers have more ways to find and compare you.

This guide covers every practical method of getting more customers, from the free options that take time to the paid options that deliver faster results. No theory, no waffle, just stuff that actually works.

1. Google Business Profile (Free)

If you do one thing on this list, make it this. A Google Business Profile puts you on Google Maps and in local search results when someone searches for your trade in your area. When a homeowner types "plasterer near me" or "electrician in Manchester," Google shows local business profiles before anything else.

Setting one up is free and takes about 20 minutes. You need a business name, address, phone number, and to verify your address (Google sends a postcard or lets you verify by phone). Once verified:

• Add photos of your work (before and after shots are brilliant)
• Write a clear description of your services and area
• Add your opening hours
• List all the services you offer
• Ask happy customers to leave reviews (this is the big one)

Tradespeople with 20+ Google reviews and a 4.5+ star rating dominate local search results. Read our guide on getting more Google reviews for a practical system.

2. Word of Mouth and Referrals (Free)

Word of mouth is still the number one source of work for most established tradespeople. People trust recommendations from friends, family, and neighbours. The key is to make referrals easy and to actively encourage them, rather than passively hoping they happen.

• Ask directly: At the end of every job, say "If you know anyone who needs similar work done, I would really appreciate a recommendation." Most happy customers are glad to help but simply do not think to do it unless asked.
• Leave business cards: Leave a few cards with every customer. They end up on kitchen noticeboards and get passed to neighbours.
• Referral incentive: Some tradespeople offer a small discount or gift voucher for referrals that turn into jobs. Even 20 to 50 pounds is worth it for a new customer.

3. Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Bark (Paid)

Trade directories connect you with homeowners who are actively looking for tradespeople. They are not free, but they deliver warm leads from people ready to hire.

Checkatrade: The biggest in the UK. Monthly membership (typically 50 to 120 per month depending on your trade and area). Your profile appears in their search results and you receive leads. The brand recognition is strong and many homeowners specifically search Checkatrade. Read our Checkatrade guide.

MyBuilder: Pay-per-lead model. You only pay when you express interest in a job (typically 3 to 15 per lead depending on job size). Good for controlling costs as you only pay for leads you want.

Bark: Similar pay-per-lead model. Leads vary in quality but prices are reasonable.

The key with all these platforms is responding fast. The first tradesperson to respond to a lead has a significantly higher chance of winning the job.

4. Social Media (Free)

Facebook and Instagram are genuinely useful for tradespeople. Not for posting motivational quotes, but for showing your work and being visible in your local community.

Facebook

Create a Facebook business page and post photos of your work regularly. Before and after shots perform particularly well. Join local community groups (every town has them) and be helpful when people ask for trade recommendations. Do not spam your services, just be genuinely helpful and people will check out your page.

Instagram

Instagram is visual, which is perfect for trades with visual results. Plasterers, painters, tilers, landscapers, and kitchen fitters can build an impressive portfolio on Instagram. Use location hashtags (your town name) and trade hashtags so local people can find you.

TikTok and YouTube

Short video content showing your work process can be surprisingly effective. Time-lapse videos of a room being plastered, or a bathroom transformation, get good engagement and show potential customers your skill level.

5. Your Own Website (Low Cost)

A simple website gives you credibility and somewhere to direct potential customers. It does not need to be complicated. A one-page site with your services, area covered, photos of your work, customer testimonials, and a contact form is enough.

The important things for a trade website:

• Your phone number visible on every page
• Photos of your actual work (not stock photos)
• Customer testimonials
• The areas you cover
• A contact form or booking link

6. Leaflet Drops (Low Cost)

Old-fashioned but still effective, particularly for domestic trades like painting, plastering, and handyman services. Target specific streets and neighbourhoods, especially areas with older housing stock that is likely to need work. A professional A5 leaflet costs about 3 to 5p each to print and you can distribute 200 in an afternoon.

7. Van Signwriting (One-Off Cost)

Your van is a moving billboard. Professional signwriting with your trade, phone number, and a simple web address costs 200 to 800 and works for you every day you are driving and every day your van is parked on a customer's drive. It also makes you look professional and established.

8. Networking and Local Events

Attend local business networking events, trade shows, and community events. Building relationships with other tradespeople leads to referral work. A plumber who does not do tiling will happily refer their customers to a tiler they know and trust. Estate agents, letting agents, and property managers are also excellent sources of regular work.

9. Converting More of Your Existing Leads

Before spending money on getting more leads, make sure you are converting the leads you already have. Most tradespeople win about 1 in 3 quotes. Improving that to 1 in 2 has the same effect as getting 50 percent more leads.

• Respond fast: Contact the customer within an hour of receiving an enquiry. First responder has a huge advantage.
• Quote fast: Send the quote within 24 hours of the site visit. The longer you wait, the more likely the customer has already chosen someone else.
• Quote professionally: A clean, branded PDF quote beats a WhatsApp message every time. Use QuoteSmith to generate professional quotes in minutes.
• Follow up: Call or text a week after sending if you have not heard back. Read our follow-up guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get customers as a tradesman?

Google Business Profile (free), word of mouth referrals (free), and local Facebook groups (free) are the cheapest ways. They cost nothing but your time. Van signwriting is a one-off cost that keeps working for years.

Is Checkatrade worth it for tradespeople?

For most tradespeople, yes. The monthly cost is typically 50 to 120 pounds, and a single job win from a Checkatrade lead usually covers several months of membership. The key is maintaining good reviews and responding to leads quickly.

How many Google reviews do I need?

Aim for at least 20 reviews with a 4.5+ star rating. This puts you ahead of most competitors in local search results. Quality matters as much as quantity. Recent reviews carry more weight than old ones.

Should I pay for Google Ads?

Google Ads can work well for tradespeople in competitive areas, but start with a small budget (5 to 10 per day) and only target your local area. Make sure your Google Business Profile is optimised first, as this delivers free leads alongside paid ads.