Contractor Marketing: How to Get Referrals from Realtors and Designers

The contractors who never advertise are always booked.

The ones running Google Ads? They’re fighting over scraps.

You’ve seen it. The contractor who hasn’t answered their phone in months because they’re booked solid. No website. No Google Ads. No HomeAdvisor listing. Just a beat-up truck and a reputation that keeps work flowing in.

How do they do it? They have relationships with the people who control access to a never-ending stream of projects. Real estate agents. Interior designers. Property managers. Other contractors.

One good referral source can keep you busy for years.

The Homeowner Problem

Most contractors spend their marketing energy chasing homeowners. And it makes sense - homeowners are the end customers, the ones who pay the bills.

But homeowner marketing has serious problems:

One-and-done: You do a kitchen renovation, you do it well, and then… you don’t hear from that homeowner for another 15 years. No repeat business. No ongoing relationship.

Expensive leads: Paid leads from Google or HomeAdvisor cost $50-200 each, and half of them are tire-kickers who never call back.

Race to the bottom: Homeowners comparison shop on price. Unless you’re the cheapest, you lose. And if you’re the cheapest, you’re not making money.

Timing is everything: When you’re busy, you can’t market. When you’re slow, it’s too late to start.

There’s a better way.

“One realtor who trusts your work can feed you 10 or more jobs per year. That’s more than most contractors get from Google Ads in a lifetime.”

The Five Referral Goldmines for Contractors

Instead of chasing individual homeowners, build relationships with people who have access to dozens or hundreds of potential projects.

1. Real Estate Agents

This is the biggest opportunity for most contractors.

Every real estate transaction needs work done. Sellers need repairs before listing. Buyers need renovations after closing. Investors need upgrades before flipping.

A busy real estate agent handles 20-50 transactions per year. If they recommend you for even half of those, that’s 10-25 projects - from one relationship.

What they need from you: Reliable work, fair pricing, fast turnaround, and the ability to not embarrass them in front of their clients.

What you give them: Photos of completed work they can show clients, availability when their deals are on the line, and quality that makes them look good.

Emma Thompson

Real Estate Agent

Thompson Realty Group

Burnaby, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“I have three contractors I trust with my clients,” Emma explains. “Three. Out of every contractor who’s ever asked me for referrals. You know what the three have in common? They show up when they say they will, they communicate constantly, and they send me photos of the finished work. That’s it. That’s the whole secret. Show up, communicate, document. Every agent will refer you if you can do those three things.”

2. Interior Designers

Interior designers need trades for every project. Electricians to install lighting. Painters to match color schemes. Cabinet makers for custom work. Tile installers for bathrooms.

They work on projects with bigger budgets - clients who care about quality, not just price. And they work on project after project, year after year.

What they need from you: Quality work that doesn’t ruin their design vision, willingness to follow their specifications exactly, and reliability that doesn’t make them look bad.

What you give them: Before-and-after photos for their portfolios, flexibility to work around their project timelines, and craftsmanship they can stake their reputation on.

3. Property Managers

Property managers handle maintenance and repairs for dozens or hundreds of properties. They need plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, general contractors - constantly.

The work isn’t always glamorous. But it’s steady. And it pays regularly.

What they need from you: Consistent availability, fair pricing for volume work, fast response for emergencies, and invoices that don’t require negotiation.

What you give them: Reliability they can count on, photos for documentation, and quality work that keeps tenants happy.

4. Other Contractors

This is the most underrated referral source in construction.

Electricians need plumbers. Plumbers need HVAC techs. General contractors need every specialty trade. And when they can’t take a job or when a job needs work outside their scope, they refer someone.

What they need from you: Someone they can trust not to embarrass them, fair pricing that doesn’t make their bids look bad, and availability when their projects need you.

What you give them: The same - referrals back when work falls outside your scope, reliability, and quality.

Miguel Rodriguez

General Contractor

Rodriguez Construction

Surrey, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“Half my work comes from other contractors,” Miguel shares. “Electricians who need framing done before they can work. Plumbers who got a call for a bathroom renovation and need someone to handle everything except the plumbing. Painters who get asked about remodeling. We all have projects that need work we don’t do. I refer the trades I trust, and they refer me back. It’s an ecosystem.”

5. Insurance Adjusters

Storm damage. Water damage. Fire damage. When insurance claims come in, someone has to do the work.

Insurance work isn’t for everyone - there’s paperwork involved, and payment comes after the work is done. But for contractors who learn the system, it’s a steady stream of projects.

What they need from you: Accurate estimates, documentation for claims, work that matches their approved scope, and no surprises.

What you give them: Reliability, quality work that closes claims cleanly, and photos for their files.

“When you build relationships with people who control access to projects, you stop competing on price. You compete on trust.”

The Follow-Up Photo That Generates More Referrals

Most contractors finish a job, collect payment, and disappear. The client is happy (hopefully) but there’s no ongoing relationship.

Here’s a simple practice that separates the contractors who get endless referrals from the ones who are always hustling:

Send a follow-up photo one week after completion.

Not a fancy email. Just a quick text with a photo of the finished work:

“Hey [Name], just wanted to send you a photo of the finished project. Let me know if you need anything else - always happy to help.”

That’s it.

Why does this work?

• It reminds the referral source of the quality work you did
• It gives them a photo they can use when recommending you
• It shows you care about the relationship, not just the transaction
• It keeps you top of mind for their next project

Sarah Martinez

Marketing Consultant

Martinez Marketing Group

Vancouver, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“I work with a lot of small business owners who need renovation work,” Sarah says. “The contractor I recommend does something brilliant - he sends me before-and-after photos of every job he does for my referrals. I can literally show new clients his work when they ask for recommendations. He’s turned me into a walking billboard for his business, and it takes him about 30 seconds per job.”

Why Showing Your Work Beats Fancy Websites

Most contractors think they need a beautiful website to get referrals. Glossy photos. Professional copy. The whole thing.

They don’t.

What they need is visibility. Proof of work. A reason for referral sources to remember them.

A 60-second video of a completed project, filmed on your phone, sent to your referral network every week. That’s worth more than any website.

Why?

• It’s real. Not stock photos - actual work you did.
• It’s consistent. They see your face and your work every week.
• It’s easy to share. When someone asks for a contractor, they can forward your video.
• It’s memorable. They remember the video guy, not the guy with the fancy website they never visit.

“A 60-second video of your work, sent weekly, beats a $10,000 website. Consistency and visibility trump production value every time.”

How to Get ONE Great Referral Partner This Month

Don’t try to build a whole referral network at once. Start with one relationship.

Week 1: Identify one real estate agent in your area who does consistent business. Not the biggest name - someone busy enough to have deals but not so busy they’re unreachable.

Week 2: Reach out. Not a sales pitch. Just: “Hey, I’m a contractor in [area]. I’m building relationships with realtors who need reliable trades for their clients. Would you be up for a quick coffee to see if I can help with your projects?”

Week 3: Meet them. Learn about their business. Ask what kind of work their clients typically need. Ask what problems they’ve had with contractors in the past. Listen more than you talk.

Week 4: Do a project for them. Maybe it’s a small repair before a listing. Maybe it’s some work for a buyer after closing. Do excellent work. Send photos. Be reliable.

One relationship. Built over one month. Maintain it with weekly visibility.

That one relationship can feed you 10+ jobs per year. Do that twice? You’re busy for life.

From Hustling to Fully Booked

The contractors who are always scrambling for work? They’re chasing individual homeowners, competing on price, hoping the phone rings.

The contractors who are booked months out? They have 3-5 referral sources who trust them completely. Real estate agents. Designers. Property managers. Other contractors.

Same skills. Same quality work. Completely different marketing approach.

Build the relationships that keep the work flowing.

Ready to Build Your Referral Network?

We built Rhythm of Business for contractors who are tired of chasing jobs. Our platform matches you with real estate agents, designers, and other professionals in your local area who need reliable trades.

Weekly video stories keep you visible with your referral sources - no website required. Industry exclusivity means you’re the only contractor in your specialty in your group.

Build the relationships that keep you booked.

Related Reading

• How Real Estate Agents Build Referral Networks That Actually Work - The realtor perspective on contractor relationships
• How to Say Thank You for a Referral (Templates That Work) - Keep your referral sources happy
• What Is a Power Partner? (And How to Find Yours) - Deep dive into strategic partnerships