With the warm weather this Spring, the renovation season is starting a little earlier this year. There is already one complaint from Homeowners which I have heard too often.  You guessed it – homeowners are contacting contractors, leaving a voicemail or sending an email message, and asking for contact. The contractors are taking way too long to respond. I find this unbelievable.

One of the most expensive parts of selling a new project is generating the lead in the first place. You may advertise, put up job site signs, brand your truck, send out direct mail or exhibit at a home show.  All of which costs a lot of money.  So when a voicemail or email message comes in, why do contractors not respond within hours or even minutes?

When a homeowner phones or emails a contractor, they are in a buying mode. They want to talk to you now. This is the time to respond immediately. The contractor that responds quickly is more likely to win the project. Responding quickly is not a sign that you are not busy. It is a sign that you have your business under control and that you make yourself available to speak with homeowners when they need you.

Immediate lead follow-up is a critical part to growing your business. You have to make lead follow-up a priority for someone in your company. That is either you or you have to delegate to someone else.  Either way, letting a lead sit for a day or two will lower your chance of winning that project substantially.  Try it .You might be surprised when the homeowner says ”Wow! Thank you for calling so quickly. I’m impressed!”