A restoration contractor needs a steady flow of jobs. It keeps crew busy. It helps weather slow periods. It eases the cash flow roller coaster.
Getting more jobs for your water damage restoration business is important. This article is here to help you do just that. Here are three proven strategies to get more jobs step by step.
Step 1: Referrals from Plumbers
Plumbers can be great sources for your business. Why? Because plumbers are the first to know about water damage. Water jobs and plumbers are like peanut butter and jelly.
Here's how to get referrals from plumbers.
Find local residential plumbers who do good work and are known for being trustworthy. You want plumbers who make emergency house calls. Don’t focus on plumbers who do new construction. You want plumbers who see a lot of leaks and water damage.
Reach out and introduce yourself. Let them know you can help with water damage. Offer to work together on a test project. Demonstrate that you're reliable. You’ll want to go above and beyond the call of duty. Help them. Help their clients even more. Build real relationships. Contribute to their life. When plumbers like your work, they'll refer you to people with water damage. They want to know you’re going to make them look good.
Step 2: Referrals from Insurance Adjusters
When people have a water problem, they also call their Insurance adjuster. Adjusters can be a big help for getting work. They often have trusted contractors they refer business to over and over. Here's what to do:
Build good relationships with insurance adjusters in your area. Show them that you can do your job quickly and well. Be easy to work with. Go above and beyond to make their job simple. Have your processes in order so that it’s easy to pay you. Give them detailed reports and cost estimates. Provide plenty of documentation.
When insurance adjusters trust you, they'll suggest your services to people who need help. Build real relationships and show them they’re valued. When they're impressed, they'll recommend your services to policyholders. It takes time and energy to build real relationships, but the returns are worth it.
Step 3: Generate Your Own Jobs Online
Now, let's look at how you can use the internet to find jobs.
Getting jobs online comes from 3 primary places:
- Google Paid, also known as PPC or Pay Per Click
- Google Search, also known as SEO
- Sharing helpful information, also known as content marketing
Online marketing is the strategy you have the most control over. In an emergency, people trust Google. People with water damage problems search for answers to problems. You can put yourself in front of people looking to hire you.
Before you begin, you need a user-friendly website that showcases your services and expertise. Half the battle is pleasing searching engines like Google. Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) so you are easy to find. You want to optimize for keywords that relate to your service.
The other half of the battle is converting real human beings. It’s not enough to be a restoration contractor. You have to demonstrate your expertise. The two best ways to do that are before-and-after photos and Google reviews. Every job is an opportunity to get pictures. Always ask for reviews. The contractors who get the most jobs online always have the most and best reviews.
Create and distribute authoritative content regularly. Content is not really about creating content. It’s more about documenting the work you’re already doing. Document the top-notch work you’re already doing and share it. Good quality, authoritative content stands out from competitors. Who is a consumer going to trust? The contractor with a website with just a name and phone number or the contractor with 100’s of 5-star reviews, lots of before-and-after pictures, and a YouTube channel with 100’s of before and after videos? Content is a big indicator of trust.
By following these three simple steps, you can get more jobs for your water damage restoration business. Build connections with plumbers and insurance adjusters. Use the power of the internet to make your business shine. More jobs mean more success for you. Good luck!
