Builder and contractor website: how to win more work

What should a builder or contractor website include?

• A homepage that says in one sentence what you do and in which region.
• A page per type of work: for example bathrooms, kitchens, extensions, dormer windows, window frames or maintenance.
• A projects page with photos of real work.
• A page about how you work, from first conversation to handover.
• Client reviews.
• About you or your team, with faces.
• A quote form and a clear phone number.

A separate page per type of work matters. Someone who wants a dormer window searches specifically for that and doesn't want to scroll through a long list of services first. And Google would rather show a page that is all about dormer windows.

Showing your projects: a contractor's portfolio

For a building business, photos of your own work are the strongest proof. A good portfolio sells more than any text. Here is how to go about it.

• Take photos during and after every job, with your phone in good daylight. Clear away tools and mess first.
• Show before and after photos, from the same angle.
• Write a few sentences for each project: what was the request, what did you do, how long did it take?
• Mention the town, so visitors see that you work in their area.
• Always ask the client's permission and leave out house numbers and other recognisable details.
• Keep the portfolio up to date. A most recent project from years ago makes people wonder if you are still active.

Also make sure the photos don't slow the site down. Large photos from your phone need to be resized before they go online. A good CMS does that automatically. Read more about speed in our article making your website faster.

Better quote requests through your website

Many building businesses do get enquiries, but too vague to act on. ‘I'd like a price for a bathroom’ says little. A good form helps the client make their request clear.

• Let the client choose the type of job first. Then ask a few questions that fit that job, such as the size of the bathroom.
• Ask for the preferred start date and the town.
• Let them upload photos of the current situation.
• Optionally ask for a rough budget, as a choice from a few ranges.
• Say when the client will hear back and what the next step is, for example a site visit.

That way you get enquiries you can really work with, and you waste less time on visits that lead nowhere. You will find more tips in our article on contact form tips.

Building trust with clients

Everyone knows a story about a job that got out of hand. Your website can take away doubt by being honest and concrete.

• Explain how you work in a few steps: introduction, quote, scheduling, execution, handover.
• Explain how you handle extra work and how you discuss it in advance.
• Say what warranty you give.
• Show real reviews, preferably from Google.
• Only mention accreditations or memberships if you really have them.
• Put your Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number and address in the footer.

Be honest about your schedule too. If you are fully booked for the coming months, say so on your site, for example ‘new jobs from spring’. That avoids disappointment and shows you are in demand. People who can't wait will drop off, but they are often not the clients you are looking for anyway.

Put a face to the way you work. A short text about who you are, why you do this job and how you treat clients makes you personal. A photo of you on site works better than a logo. In the end, clients choose a person, not a company name.

Getting your building business found in your region

Most jobs come from within a radius of a few dozen kilometres. People search for things like ‘contractor’ or ‘bathroom renovation’ plus their town. That is where you need to show up.

• Complete your Google Business Profile and post new project photos regularly.
• Ask for a review after every successful job. See our article on getting more Google reviews.
• Mention the towns where you work in your copy and projects.
• Create a separate page with a clear title for your main services.
• Make sure your site works well on a phone.

Common mistakes on contractor websites

• Only stock photos of shiny kitchens you didn't build yourself.
• A projects page that hasn't been updated in years.
• No explanation at all of how you work, scheduling or warranty.
• A site that only works well on a laptop.
• Too many services on one page, so nothing is really clear.
• Enquiries left sitting in an inbox. Responding quickly often wins the job.

How much does a builder website cost at Violexa?

At Violexa a custom website starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT) per project. That includes design, build, a design that works on every screen, basic SEO, Google Analytics, a CMS and training. With that CMS you put new projects online yourself, with photos and text, without having to call us. Want more reach? Online marketing starts from €599 excl. VAT (€725 incl. VAT) per month, cancellable monthly.

We work from Amsterdam and build for businesses all over the Netherlands. You can see examples of previous work in our work.

Want to know what your building business needs? Request a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or on location, we look at your situation together. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions