99 Calls Blog

Starting a service business is exciting. It’s also chaotic between tools, trucks, licenses, phones ringing (or not ringing), and customers who want answers now. Most contractors fail because the basics weren’t set up to support growth.

1. A Phone Setup That Actually Captures Leads

This sounds obvious. It’s also one of the most common breakdowns we see. Before you run ads, boost posts, or “try SEO,” ask yourself:

• Do calls ring to a real person, or straight to voicemail?
• Is there a backup when you miss a call?
• Can you tell which calls came from marketing vs referrals?

According to industry studies, over 60% of service business leads come from phone calls, not form fills. If you miss those calls, the lead doesn’t wait around. At a minimum, you should have:

• A dedicated business phone number
• Call tracking (so you know what’s working)
• A missed-call follow-up (text or callback)

If you’re not sure how many calls you miss in a week, that’s your answer.

2. Google Business Profile (GBP) Fully Claimed and Optimized

Google Business Profile is one of the highest-intent lead sources available for local contractors. Before marketing:

• Your GBP must be claimed and verified
• Your service areas should be accurate
• Categories should match what you actually do
• Photos should show real work, real trucks, real people

This matters because local map results often show before traditional website listings, especially on mobile. If your profile is incomplete, competitors fill the gap. Quick test:

• Search your main service + city
• Do you show up?
• If you do, does your listing build trust or raise questions?

3. Reviews (Even If You’re New)

No, you don’t need 100 reviews to start. Yes, you do need some form of social proof.

Google has confirmed that review count, quality, and response activity influence local visibility. Customers also read them, especially when deciding who to call first. Before marketing:

• Ask past customers, friends, or early jobs for honest reviews
• Respond to every review (good or bad)
• Don’t fake them, it backfires fast

A business with 5 real reviews and responses will outperform one with 0 reviews every time.

4. A Website That Does One Job Well

Your website doesn’t need to be fancy. It does need to be clear. Before driving traffic, make sure:

• Your services are obvious within 5 seconds
• Your phone number is clickable and visible
• There’s a clear next step (call, form, quote)

Common mistake we see:

• Beautiful websites that don’t tell customers what to do next.
• If someone lands on your site from Google Ads at 8:30 PM, can they still become a lead?

5. Service Area Clarity (This Saves You Money)

One of the fastest ways to waste marketing dollars is to be vague about where you work.

Before marketing:

• Define your actual service radius
• Decide what areas you’re willing to drive to
• Exclude locations you don’t want jobs from

This applies to:

• Google Ads targeting
• Local SEO pages
• Google Business Profile service areas

Clear boundaries = better leads, fewer “not my area” calls.

6. A Simple Lead Intake Process

You don’t need a CRM empire. You do need consistency. Ask yourself:

• Where do leads go after they come in?
• How fast do you respond?
• Who owns follow-up?

Research from Harvard Business Review indicates that responding to a lead within five minutes dramatically increases the likelihood of conversion. Waiting an hour, let alone a day, kills momentum. Even a simple system works if it’s used:

• Call log + notes
• Text follow-up template
• Same-day callback rule

7. Budget Expectations That Match Reality

Marketing isn’t magic. It’s math. Before launching:

• Decide what you can invest monthly
• Understand that leads don’t always close instantly
• Separate lead generation from sales conversion

One of the biggest mindset shifts successful contractors make is this: Marketing creates opportunities. Your process turns them into revenue.

If you expect every lead to become a booked job, frustration comes fast.

8. One Channel Done Right (Not Five Done Poorly)

New businesses often try everything at once:

• Google Ads
• Facebook
• SEO
• Yelp
• Mailers

That usually leads to confusion, not growth.

Start with one channel you can support operationally, then expand once:

• Calls are answered
• Leads are tracked
• Jobs are being closed consistently

Focus beats spread every time.

A Quick Self-Assessment (Save This)

Answer honestly:

• Do I know how many leads I get per week?
• Do I know how many I miss?
• Do I know which channel works best?
• Could I handle 20% more leads next month?

If any of those are unclear, that’s not a failure; it’s a signal to tighten the basics first. When your phones are answered, your Google presence is credible, your reviews are growing, and your follow-up is consistent, every dollar you spend goes further (and feels way less stressful). Lock in the foundation, track what happens, and build from there. That’s how contractors stop gambling on marketing and start using it like a tool.

Deciding whether to offer 24/7 emergency services can either unlock serious growth or create costly operational strain. The difference comes down to preparation, expectations, and how you advertise after hours.

Many contractors assume that if they offer 24/7 service, they must advertise 24/7. That’s not true. Others assume that after-hours digital marketing never works. That’s also not true.

Here’s how to approach offering 24/7 emergency services the right way.

1. What It Takes to Offer 24/7 Emergency Services Successfully

Deciding to offer 24/7 emergency services is initially an operational calculation – not a marketing one.

You need dependable phone coverage. If you advertise emergency service and miss calls, the damage to trust can outweigh any benefit. After-hours callers expect an immediate human response.

Staffing matters. Emergencies don’t follow a schedule, and relying on a single on-call tech quickly leads to burnout. Even small teams need rotation and backup plans. 

You and your team will also need patience and mental toughness. Emergency calls often come from stressed customers who need reassurance before anything else. The contractors who perform best after hours stay calm, clear, and confident.

Many emergency jobs,  especially water damage, biohazard, and fire-related services, also involve insurance claims. Being able to explain next steps or coordinate with insurance can dramatically improve close rates.

To make the most of 24/7 service, focus on reviews. Customers who are helped quickly in an emergency are some of the most likely to leave strong 5-star reviews, which compounds long-term visibility.

Important note:
For water damage restoration, 24/7 availability isn’t optional. Water doesn’t wait, and neither do homeowners. If you’re in water damage, you essentially have to offer after-hours service to compete.

2. Offering 24/7 Service vs. Running Paid Ads 24/7

This is where nuance matters.

Offering 24/7 service does not mean you must advertise nonstop. But it also doesn’t mean that after-hours ads don’t work.

Paid ads can perform extremely well at night. The difference is that nighttime advertising requires patience and testing.

After-hours search volume is lower, which means:

• Fewer leads per day
  
• Longer learning periods
  
• Slower feedback loops

Contractors who shut ads off after a few nights usually never see the upside. When night ads work, they tend to produce high-intent, urgent calls – but only after campaigns are dialed in.

Night ads are also unforgiving. Weak phone coverage, poor staffing, or loose targeting will waste your budget quickly. When everything is aligned, nighttime ads can become a real competitive advantage.

The key is testing intentionally:

• Track which hours perform and adjust accordingly
  
• Tighten keywords and match types
  
• Evaluate call quality, not just cost per lead
  
• Give campaigns enough time to stabilize

For small budgets, overnight ads may not make sense right away. For larger or more established accounts, night ads are often worth testing.

3. If You Offer 24/7 Service, Say It Everywhere

If you truly offer after-hours service, make sure it’s clearly communicated across all free channels.

This includes:

• Your website (SEO)
  
• Your Google Business Profile
  
• Local Services Ads (not technically free, but boosts overall rankings)
  
• Business cards, trucks, and signage
  
• Word-of-mouth messaging

Many after-hours calls come from organic searches, referrals, or repeat customers—not paid ads. Clear 24/7 messaging ensures you capture this demand without spending extra money.

You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Simply stating “24/7 Emergency Service Available” builds trust and sets expectations.

4. 24/7 Emergency Services Strategy by Industry

Not every industry should approach 24/7 coverage the same way.

Water Damage Restoration

24/7 service is mandatory.

LSAs perform well, SEO should always reflect availability, and PPC can perform very well after hours with proper testing. Lower budgets should avoid overnight spend until daytime campaigns are stable.

Electricians

Emergency intent is strong but market-dependent.

LSAs and SEO generally perform well. PPC can work after hours but requires careful testing and budget awareness.

Plumbing

Emergency intent exists, but overnight PPC can be hit or miss. It’s best to discuss this with your ads specialist and get their opinion before proceeding.

LSAs and SEO 24/7 callouts are usually sufficient, and their presence often secures more daytime leads.

Biohazard Cleanup

Highly market-dependent.

Some markets perform exceptionally well at night, while others see very high costs and low volume. Strong phone coverage and patience are critical.

Roofers

Storm-driven emergencies justify after-hours availability.

LSAs and SEO are strong. PPC works best when tied to weather events rather than consistent overnight schedules.

Painters

Not a true emergency service.

Commercial painters may benefit from after-hours availability, but paid night ads generally do not make sense.

Commercial Cleaners

After-hours service is typically for existing clients only and can be advertised on nonpaid streams.

5. Final Thoughts

24/7 coverage can absolutely be a growth lever, but only when your operations and advertising are aligned.

The smartest contractors:

• Offer 24/7 service when it truly makes sense
  
• Clearly communicate availability on free channels
  
• Test paid ads after hours patiently and intentionally

Night ads aren’t bad. They’re just unforgiving.

If you’re prepared, responsive, and willing to test, they can perform extremely well.

The Roadmap to Running a Smoother, More Profitable Service Business, And How 99 Calls Helps You Actually Get There

Running a home services business isn’t just about fixing roofs, unclogging drains, cleaning carpets, or installing electrical panels. For many contractors, managing leads, follow-ups, scheduling, and customer communication quickly becomes overwhelming. That’s where a CRM for home service businesses becomes essential, helping contractors stay organized, respond faster, and run a smoother, more profitable operation.

Most contractors start out with a notebook, a handful of sticky notes, or, let’s be honest, pure memory. And it works… until it doesn’t. The day your leads start coming in regularly is the day a CRM stops being a luxury and becomes the backbone that keeps everything from slipping through the cracks.

At 99 Calls, we’ve worked with many contractors who hit that moment, the point where leads pick up, opportunities increase, and suddenly the lack of a system becomes the bottleneck. A CRM is what moves a business from chaos to control.

A CRM Helps You Catch Every Lead

When a homeowner reaches out because their water heater is leaking right now, they expect a fast response. According to Harvard Business Review, companies that respond within 5 minutes are 8 times more likely to convert that lead than those who wait even 30 minutes. A CRM for home service businesses ensures every call, form fill, and message is captured automatically, so no opportunity slips through the cracks.

But it’s hard to answer fast when:

• You’re up on a ladder
• You’re driving
• You’re on another call
• You’re just trying to finish your coffee

A CRM helps you:

• Grab every call, text, message, and form fill
• See new leads in one simple place
• Reply fast, even when you’re busy working

A CRM Helps With Follow-Up (Because Memory Isn’t a Plan)

Here’s a tough truth: Most contractors don’t lose jobs because of bad leads. They lose them because no one follows up.

Industry data shows that 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, yet 44% of people give up after the first one. 

A CRM solves that instantly by sending polite, branded follow-ups for estimates, missed calls, proposals, and long-term check-ins.

And if you’ve been in business long enough, you know this moment well:

A customer calls back after three weeks, asking about an estimate… and you’re thinking: “Didn’t we quote that guy? What did we tell him?”

A CRM eliminates that by:

• Sends estimate reminders
• Follows up with folks who asked you to “check back later.”
• Texts missed calls
• Helps you stay top-of-mind

A CRM Keeps All Job Notes in One Spot

Every contractor deals with dozens of important-but-easy-to-forget details every day:

• Gate codes
• Pets in the yard
• Previous service history
• What you quoted
• Photos from the job site
• Tasks your crew needs to handle

Without a CRM, these details scatter across texts, notebooks, and screenshots.

A CRM becomes your central brain, everything stored exactly where it should be, accessible to you and your team. The moment you hire a second tech, communication gaps appear. A CRM closes them instantly.

A CRM Makes Your Customers Happier

Customers judge contractors on responsiveness, clarity, and professionalism, not just the quality of the work. According to BrightLocal, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. But great reviews rarely happen by accident.

A CRM boosts client satisfaction by:

• Sending automated appointment reminders
• Sharing arrival notifications
• Keeping homeowners informed
• Providing easy ways to leave reviews after service

Responsiveness builds trust. Consistency builds loyalty. A CRM makes both happen automatically.

A CRM Helps You Get Repeat Jobs

Most contractors don’t realize how much money they leave on the table.

People forget to call you back when:

• They need an HVAC tune-up
• Their gutters fill up again
• Their carpets need cleaning
• It’s time for the next yard cleanup
  

But a CRM remembers for you. It reaches out at the right time, so past customers come back sooner. Repeat customers buy faster, easier, and more often. A CRM makes sure you stay top-of-mind.

A CRM Shows You What’s Actually Working

Most contractors guess which jobs make money. Most guess which leads are best. Most guess why some months feel slow.

A CRM replaces guessing with facts:

• Which lead source works best
• How fast you respond
• How many jobs you book
• How much each customer is worth
• Where your time is going

Some folks think they have a “slow season problem.” But once they see the data, they realize they had a “no system problem.” A CRM shows you what’s really going on so you can grow smart.

A CRM Saves You Time (Like… a Lot of Time)

Every contractor has felt the chaos of multitasking:

• Driving to a job
• Answering calls
• Sending estimates
• Texting updates
• Trying not to spill your coffee

A CRM removes busywork, giving you back hours every week. Automations, follow-ups, templates, and streamlined communication mean your time goes toward revenue, not repetitive admin tasks.

Bringing It All Together

The difference between a contractor who stays overwhelmed and a contractor who grows past six figures is not talent. Its systems.

A CRM:

• Organizes everything
• Automates the things you shouldn’t do manually
• Helps you close more jobs
• Builds lasting customer relationships
• Keeps your business running even when you’re busy doing the work
  

The contractors who embrace systems grow; the ones who don’t eventually hit a wall.

Ready to Strengthen Your Business?

For contractors ready to grow, a CRM for home service businesses isn’t just helpful, it’s a foundational system for long-term success. If you’re serious about running a smoother, more profitable home services business, here are the next steps you can take today:

• Audit how many leads you think you lost last month
• Check how long it currently takes you to follow up
• List the tasks you repeat daily that could be automated
• Ask yourself whether your customer communication is consistent

Or the simplest step: explore adding a CRM into your workflow and experience the difference for yourself. Your future self will thank you, and so will your customers.

Efficient route planning is one of the most important parts of running a service-area business. For plumbers, electricians, appliance repair techs, carpet cleaners, junk removal crews, HVAC companies, and air-duct cleaners, time on the road affects everything from profitability to customer satisfaction.

Modern tools, like route optimization software, multi-stop route planners, and simple route planner apps, have made it far easier for contractors to build smart, predictable daily routes without wasting hours behind the wheel.

Why Route Planning Matters

For most service contractors, spending more time on the road than needed leads to:

• Added fuel costs
• Vehicle wear & tear
• Cost of techs instead of working
• Delayed appointments
• Fewer total jobs per day
  

A Verizon Connect study found that strong route planning can increase workplace productivity by up to 20%. Even small companies running 2-5 trucks see significant improvements when routes are optimized instead of loosely scheduled.

The Data Contractors Use to Build Optimized Routes

Contractors rely on a mix of job history, real-time inputs, and routing tools to create schedules that make sense in the real world.

1. Customer Location Clusters

Service businesses look for patterns: certain neighborhoods or ZIP codes from which calls repeatedly come. A good route maker or planning tool can automatically group these stops to reduce unnecessary backtracking.

2. Estimated Job Duration

A simple repair might take 30 minutes, while a full HVAC install could take hours.
Accurate job length estimates help prevent schedule slippage.

3. Traffic & Drive-Time Forecasting

Apps like Waze, Google Maps, Onfleet, and OptimoRoute incorporate live traffic, construction, and historical congestion patterns.
This allows contractors to choose realistic time slots and give customers more accurate arrival windows.

4. Equipment & Vehicle Load

A junk removal truck may route around dump hours.
A carpet cleaner might schedule larger jobs early so equipment setups don’t eat into the afternoon.

Routing isn’t just distance; it’s logistics.

5. Matching Jobs to the Right Technician

Some tasks require specialized skills or certifications.
Modern route optimization tools factor in technician skill, availability, and proximity automatically.

Common Route Planning Methods

Cluster Scheduling

Grouping jobs within the same neighborhood keeps the day tight and minimizes fuel costs.

Time-Blocked Routing

Contractors section off the day:

• Morning = North part of town
• Midday = Central area
• Afternoon = South side

This format keeps routes efficient even if new calls appear.

Priority-First Routing

Emergency trades like plumbing and HVAC rely on dynamic scheduling.
A route planner app helps dispatchers slot urgent calls based on who’s closest and who has the right tools.

Fishbone Routing

Starting at the farthest job and working back toward headquarters—popular with carpet cleaners and duct cleaners—reduces end-of-day travel time.

Hybrid Routing With Flex Spots

Leaving one or two “open” appointment windows gives companies room for same-day add-ons, upsells, or nearby quick repairs.

How to Choose the Best Route Planning Software

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s what contractors typically look for:

1. Ease of Use

Your team should be able to learn it quickly, especially your field techs.

2. Reliable Multi-Stop Planning

Good tools handle complex days with many stops and can automatically reorder routes.

3. Real-Time Adjustments

Emergencies, cancellations, and delays happen. Your software should rebuild the route instantly.

4. Skill-Based Routing

If certain jobs require a specific technician, choose a tool that supports assignment rules.

5. Integrations

Many businesses use systems like Jobber, ServiceTitan, Workiz, or Housecall Pro. If you choose a standalone multi-stop route planner, make sure it syncs with your existing CRM or calendar.

6. Cost vs. Complexity

For small crews, a simple route-planning app or even Google Maps may be enough. Larger teams may need more powerful route optimization features.

Software Contractors Commonly Use

Popular choices across trades include:

• Housecall Pro: Straightforward scheduling with built-in routing
  
• ServiceTitan: Robust dispatching for larger operations
  
• Jobber: Clean interface and solid route-planning tools
  
• Onfleet / OptimoRoute: Strong multi-stop routing engines
  
• Google Maps: Still widely used by solo operators and small teams
  

The Customer Experience Benefit

Better routing leads to:

• Narrower and more reliable arrival windows
  
• Fewer delays
  
• Faster emergency response
  
• Stronger reviews and repeat business

A smart route is something customers will never see, but always feel.

Final Thoughts

Route planning can save your business substantial time and money. Whether you use a simple route-making app or advanced route optimization software, tightening your routes is one of the easiest ways to boost profitability. 

The home services space is booming, and certain niches are exploding with demand. If you’re thinking about adding a new service or doubling down on your current one, it helps to know where the biggest opportunities are. Below are the top five fastest-growing home service niches for 2025–2026.

1. Mobile Car Detailing

Why It’s Growing

The global mobile car wash & detailing market is projected to grow at a ~7.2% CAGR* between 2025–2035, with demand driven by convenience, eco-friendly cleaning options, and fleet contracts.

Why This Niche Wins

• Lower overhead — no shop required
  
• Ideal for suburban professionals with busy schedules
  
• High repeat-service potential (monthly detailing packages)
  
• Fleet opportunities: rideshare, dealerships, rentals

2. Mobile Pet Grooming

Why It’s Growing

The mobile pet grooming market reached $1.42B in 2024 and is projected to grow at ~8.7% CAGR through 2033. Pet ownership is rising, and pet parents want convenience and premium care.

Why Contractors Love It

• Premium pricing (mobile = luxury)
  
• Extremely loyal repeat customers
  
• High growth in suburban + affluent areas
  
• Low startup barriers

3. Landscaping & Outdoor Living Services

Why It’s Growing

The global landscaping services market is expected to jump from $354.9B in 2025 to $657.5B by 2035, growing at 6.2% CAGR.

What’s Driving Demand

• Homeowners investing in outdoor living spaces
  
• Smart irrigation and eco-friendly landscaping trends
  
• Aging homes needing updates
  
• Increased home-value focus

4. Subscription & On-Demand Home Maintenance

Why It’s Growing

The U.S. home services market overall is projected to grow from $0.87T in 2025 to $1.42T by 2030 (CAGR ~10.2%).

Examples of Services in This Niche

• Preventative maintenance (filters, leak checks, HVAC tune-ups)
  
• Smart home setup & troubleshooting
  
• Appliance care subscriptions
  
• Monthly “home checkups”

5. Handyman

Why It’s Growing

The handyman market is growing as homes age, homeowners are busier, and repair/maintenance needs rise, driving demand. The U.S. handyman services market is projected to grow steadily from 530.5 million in 2025 to 2340.4 million in 2035 (CAGR ~16.0%).

Drivers

• Aging homes requiring constant repairs (over 50% of U.S. homes are 40+ years old)
  
• Homeowners are more willing to outsource small projects since they don’t have the time or skills
  
• Rising rental turnover needing quick fix-and-prep services
  
• Boom in “small jobs” from appliance installs, TV mounting, smart home devices, and general home updates
  
• Increased demand from seniors needing safety modifications and accessibility upgrades
  

Why Contractors Like It

• High lead volume – huge demand year-round
  
• Fast jobs = more revenue – most handyman projects take under 2 hours
  
• Low startup cost – basic tools and a vehicle
  
• Scalable – hire helpers or specialists as you grow
  
• Great upsell potential – small repairs lead to bigger projects like painting, flooring, or remodeling
  

*CAGR is the compound annual growth rate. 

Now Is the Time to Launch Google Ads, Local Services Ads & Organic SEO

As these home service niches keep growing fast, the businesses that get visible now will grab the most leads. The best way to start getting calls right away is to run Google Ads and Local Services Ads, while also building a strong organic SEO strategy for steady, long-term growth.

Why This Dual Approach Works

• Instant Leads via Paid Ads:
  Google Ads and LSAs put you in front of high-intent customers today. Most new niches have lower competition, which often means lower cost per click and cheaper leads.
  
• Long-Term, Cost-Effective Growth via SEO:
  While paid ads supply quick wins, an optimized organic presence builds lasting visibility, trust, and free inbound traffic over time.
  
• A Scalable Lead Strategy:
  Once your organic rankings rise and your business becomes more visible in your service area, your lead volume naturally increases. At that point, you can taper down your paid ads budget if needed, allowing SEO to carry more of the load while you maintain a consistent flow of high-quality leads.

The Bottom Line

For contractors entering or expanding within these booming niches, the most effective strategy is:

1. Turn on Google Ads + Local Services Ads for immediate results
   
2. Build a strong organic SEO foundation to sustain long-term growth
   
3. Adjust your ad spend later once organic leads ramp up

This is exactly how contractors in high-growth markets scale fast, stay competitive, and stabilize their cost per lead over time.