Comparisons
Contractor Lead Sources, Compared Honestly
Every lead platform and marketing agency contractors consider — broken down by real cost per lead, close rate, true cost per booked job, and whether you build an asset you own. No fluff, no affiliate spin. Just the math behind renting leads versus owning your pipeline.
What Should Contractors Look for in a Lead Generation Agency?
When evaluating a contractor lead generation agency, judge it on seven things: who owns your website, domain, ad accounts, and CRM data when the contract ends; whether leads are exclusive to you or shared with competitors; whether reporting shows booked jobs instead of impressions; whether you can see raw call recordings and form fills yourself; the contract length and what the exit looks like; whether the agency also works for your direct competitors in your service area; and who actually does the work day to day. The strongest single signal is asset ownership — an agency that keeps your domain, ad account, or lead history is selling you access, not building you an asset. The second is reporting altitude: any agency can grow clicks, but only a good one can tie spend to booked revenue. Ask for both in writing before you sign.
Last updated: August 2026. These criteria are written to be applied to any agency, including ours — we publish them because most contractors we talk to have been burned by an agency that failed at least two of them.
1.Who owns the website, domain, ad account, and CRM data when you leave?
This is the single strongest signal. An agency that keeps your domain, Google Ads account, Google Business Profile, or lead history is selling you access, not building you an asset. Ask for admin ownership in writing before you sign — not "we’ll transfer it if you leave."
2.Are the leads exclusive to you, or shared with competitors?
A shared lead is sold to several contractors at once, so you are paying to compete on speed and price against three or four other bidders. Exclusive leads cost more per lead and usually less per booked job. Make the agency state plainly which model it sells.
3.Does reporting show booked jobs, or impressions and clicks?
Any agency can grow impressions. Reporting that never surfaces a phone number, a form fill, or a closed job is reporting designed to be unfalsifiable. Ask to see a real client report — redacted is fine — before you sign.
4.Can you see raw lead data yourself, without asking?
You should have standing access to call recordings, form submissions, and timestamps in a dashboard or CRM you can log into. If every question requires an email to your account manager, you cannot audit the work and you cannot leave cleanly.
5.What is the contract length, and what does the exit look like?
SEO genuinely compounds, so a multi-month minimum is reasonable and not itself a red flag. What matters is whether there is a performance-based exit and what you walk away owning. A long lock-in with no out and no asset transfer is the combination to avoid.
6.Do they work with your direct competitors in your service area?
Ask directly. Some agencies run several contractors in the same trade and city, which puts them on both sides of your auction. Note that a promise of territory exclusivity is a business decision, not a guarantee of results — hold agencies to what they will put in the contract.
7.Who actually does the work, and can you talk to them?
Ask who writes the content, who manages the ad account, and whether any of it is subcontracted or generated without review. Then ask to speak to that person once before signing. An agency that will not put you in a room with the practitioner is selling you a salesperson.
What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Contractor Marketing Agency?
Six things should end the conversation regardless of how good the rest of the pitch sounds:
- Guaranteed lead counts or guaranteed #1 rankings — neither can be honestly promised
- No named point of contact, only a shared inbox or ticket queue
- Reporting that never shows an actual lead, call, or booked job
- Refusing to give you admin access to your own Google Ads or Google Business Profile
- Selling you leads it also sells to your competitors without disclosing it
- A long lock-in with no performance-based exit and no asset transfer on the way out
Do You Actually Need a Lead Generation Agency Yet?
Not yet — you need to exist online first
If you have no real website and an unclaimed Google Business Profile, a retainer is premature. Fix the foundation, then buy traffic.
Not yet — your follow-up is the leak
If leads already arrive and die unanswered, more traffic makes the leak bigger. Fix speed-to-lead and intake before adding spend.
Yes — you need volume you can control
If your foundation converts and follow-up is tight, an agency retainer is the right tool for turning lead flow up on demand.
Maybe not — you already dominate locally
If you own your market, a specialist or fractional consultant is often a better fit than a full-service retainer.
Once you know which bucket you are in, the comparisons below break down each specific platform and agency on cost per lead, close rate, and true cost per booked job. Start with shared vs exclusive contractor leads if you are still deciding between renting leads and owning a pipeline, or see how to track contractor marketing ROI before you commit budget to any of them.
Best AI Visibility Tools in 2026, Compared by Use Case
The best AI visibility tools in 2026 compared: Profound, Scrunch, Peec AI, AthenaHQ, Rankscale, Otterly, Semrush, Ahrefs Brand Radar, Frase, and SE Ranking — plus a free option for local businesses. See which AEO/GEO tool fits enterprise brands, agencies, or local "near me" businesses.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Peec AI
Should a local contractor use Peec AI or BaaDigi to check AI search visibility? Peec AI is a paid AEO analytics platform (from ~$90/mo) built for marketing teams and agencies. BaaDigi is a free, no-signup, geo-aware checker built for local "near me" businesses, with optional done-for-you AI SEO.
Read the comparisonAthenaHQ vs BaaDigi: Which AI Visibility Tool Fits a Local Business?
How does AthenaHQ compare to BaaDigi for AI search visibility? AthenaHQ is a paid, YC-backed GEO platform built for brands and enterprises; BaaDigi is a free, instant, no-signup checker built for local service businesses in a specific city. For contractors and "near me" businesses, BaaDigi is the faster free path.
Read the comparisonAhrefs Brand Radar vs BaaDigi for AI Search Visibility
Ahrefs Brand Radar tracks brand-level AI visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and AI Overviews as a paid add-on, while BaaDigi runs free geo-aware "near me in [city]" checks built for local contractors and service businesses. Ahrefs is enterprise brand analytics; BaaDigi is local-first with a done-for-you path.
Read the comparisonOtterly.AI vs BaaDigi: AI Search Visibility for Local Businesses
Which is better for a local business, Otterly.AI or BaaDigi? Otterly.AI is a paid AEO monitoring platform (from $29/mo) for brands and agencies tracking AI search; BaaDigi is a free, instant, no-signup AI Search Visibility Checker built for local "near me" contractors, with optional done-for-you service.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Semrush AI Toolkit
Should a local contractor use the Semrush AI Toolkit or BaaDigi to track AI search visibility? Semrush is a $99/mo add-on built for brands and marketers tracking prompts across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity; BaaDigi is a free, instant, geo-aware checker purpose-built for local "near me" queries, with an optional done-for-you service.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Rankscale: AI Search Visibility for Local & Service Businesses
Rankscale vs BaaDigi — which AI visibility tool should a local business use? Rankscale is a paid, credit-based AEO analytics platform tracking 17+ AI engines; BaaDigi is a free, instant, geo-aware "near me" checker for contractors and service businesses, with optional done-for-you AI SEO.
Read the comparisonFrase vs BaaDigi for AI Search Visibility
Does Frase check AI search visibility for local businesses? Yes, but as a paid content-writing tool that starts at $39/mo and tracks brand-level prompts. BaaDigi is a free, no-signup AI Search Visibility Checker built for local contractors and service businesses that want their ChatGPT, Google AI Overview, and Perplexity recommendations by city.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs SE Ranking
Should a local contractor use SE Ranking or BaaDigi to check AI search visibility? SE Ranking is a paid all-in-one SEO platform with an AI Search add-on for agencies and marketers; BaaDigi is a free, instant, no-signup AI Visibility Checker built for local "near me" businesses that also offers done-for-you AI-SEO.
Read the comparisonNeil Patel / Ubersuggest vs BaaDigi: AI Visibility for Local Businesses
Does Neil Patel have an AI visibility tool? Yes — Ubersuggest added AI Search Optimization (brand visibility, prompt mining, citation tracking), and NP Digital sells AEO/GEO services. BaaDigi is a free, instant AI Search Visibility Checker built for local contractors and service businesses checking ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity by city.
Read the comparisonResy vs Tock: What Changed After the Merger
Is Tock the same as Resy? As of August 11, 2026, Tock venues are live on Resy and Tock’s own site says it is "now part of the Resy network." For restaurants, wineries, and hospitality groups comparing the two: what changed, what happens to prepaid and ticketed bookings, and what to ask before your contract renews.
Read the comparisonOpenTable vs Resy: Which Reservation Platform Fits Your Restaurant?
OpenTable vs Resy compared for 2026: OpenTable publishes plans from $149–$499/mo plus per-cover fees on network reservations, while Resy does not publish restaurant pricing at all and now includes Tock’s venues. For restaurants and hospitality groups weighing fee model, network reach, and who owns the guest relationship.
Read the comparisonOpenTable Alternatives: What Restaurants Should Compare in 2026
Looking for an OpenTable alternative? Compare Resy (now including Tock), SevenRooms, Toast Tables, Yelp Guest Manager, Eat App, and direct booking on fee model, pricing transparency, and who owns your guest data. Most alternatives are quote-only — here is what is actually verifiable in 2026.
Read the comparisonJobber vs Housecall Pro: Which Field Service Platform Fits Your Business?
Jobber vs Housecall Pro compared for 2026: Jobber publishes four tiers from $29/mo to $399/mo billed annually with users at $29 each, while Housecall Pro starts at $59/mo annually. For contractors choosing a field service platform on price structure, team size, and what neither one does.
Read the comparisonServiceTitan Alternatives: What Contractors Should Actually Compare
Looking for a ServiceTitan alternative? ServiceTitan publishes no pricing — every tier is "Request Pricing", priced per technician. Compare Jobber (from $29/mo, published), Housecall Pro (from $59/mo, published), and others on cost transparency, team size fit, and what none of them do.
Read the comparisonServiceTitan vs Housecall Pro: Operation Size Decides This One
ServiceTitan vs Housecall Pro compared for 2026: Housecall Pro publishes pricing from $59/mo billed annually, while ServiceTitan publishes none — every tier is "Request Pricing", priced per technician. Compare on team size, dispatch complexity, and cost transparency.
Read the comparisonToast vs Square for Restaurants: Which POS Fits Your Operation?
Toast vs Square for restaurants compared for 2026: Square publishes plan prices ($0, $49, $149/mo per location) and processing rates (2.4–2.6% + 15¢ in person), while Toast publishes plans from $0 and "starting at $69/mo" but no processing rate at all. For restaurant owners comparing cost transparency, hardware, and contract terms before signing.
Read the comparisonRestaurant POS Comparison: Five Systems on What They Actually Publish
A restaurant POS comparison built only on vendor-published pricing: Square and Clover publish both plan prices and processing rates, Lightspeed and TouchBistro publish plans but not rates, and Toast publishes neither a full plan price nor a processing percentage. For restaurant owners who want to compare real numbers before the sales call.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Profound: AI Visibility Tools Compared
Is Profound or BaaDigi the better AI visibility tool? Profound is an enterprise AEO/GEO platform (from $99/mo, enterprise pricing by quote) built for major brands; BaaDigi offers a free, instant "near me" AI Search Visibility Checker plus a done-for-you engine for local and service businesses. Compare cost, local support, and free access.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Scrunch AI
Which is better for a local business, Scrunch AI or BaaDigi? BaaDigi is a free, instant, no-signup AI visibility checker built for local "near me" search, plus an optional done-for-you service; Scrunch AI is a paid enterprise/agency AEO monitoring platform. Compare cost, audience, and local fit before you pick.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Blue Corona: Which Home-Services Marketing Agency Fits You?
BaaDigi vs Blue Corona: pricing, contracts, ownership & scale compared. Why contractors pick boutique, contractor-only marketing over a large agency.
Read the comparisonCraftJack for Contractors: Pay-Per-Lead vs Owning Your Pipeline
CraftJack vs owning your marketing: cost per lead, quality & long-term ROI. Why top contractors are switching.
Read the comparisonPorch Leads vs Building Your Own Lead Pipeline
Is Porch.com worth it for contractors? Compare Porch leads vs building your own exclusive pipeline. Real costs, close rates, and long-term ROI analysis.
Read the comparisonShared Leads vs Exclusive Leads: What Actually Costs Less Per Job?
Shared vs exclusive contractor leads: real cost per job, close rates & ROI. Why exclusive costs less per booked job.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Scorpion: Which Contractor Marketing Agency Is Right for You?
BaaDigi vs Scorpion: pricing, services & results compared. Why contractors choose boutique over enterprise marketing.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Contractor Marketing Pros: Two Contractor-Focused Agencies Compared
BaaDigi vs Contractor Marketing Pros: pricing, specialties, and results compared. Two contractor-focused agencies — see which fits your business better.
Read the comparisonBaaDigi vs Hook Agency: Which Contractor Marketing Agency Wins?
BaaDigi vs Hook Agency: contractor marketing agencies compared on pricing, services, and results. See which agency fits your home service business.
Read the comparisonThumbtack vs Building Your Own Contractor Lead Pipeline
Thumbtack vs building your own lead pipeline — real per-contact pricing, close rates, complaint patterns, and the math on cost per signed job.
Read the comparisonService Direct vs Building Your Own Contractor Lead Engine
Service Direct vs building your own lead pipeline — pay-per-call pricing, exclusive lead model, true cost per signed job, and the long-term play.
Read the comparisonNetworx vs Building Your Own Contractor Lead Engine
Networx vs building your own lead pipeline — pricing, shared lead model, complaint patterns, and the better long-term play for contractors.
Read the comparisonBark.com for Contractors: Credit Costs vs Owning Your Pipeline
Bark.com sells credit-based leads (~$2.35/credit, ~6–12 credits per lead = roughly $15–$30 each) shared with up to 5 pros. See the real cost per booked job, the refund/expiry traps contractors hit, and the exclusive-lead alternative that drops cost per booked job to $100–$200 by month 12.
Read the comparisonModernize for Contractors: Shared Home-Improvement Leads vs Owning Your Pipeline
Modernize sells shared home-improvement leads (solar from $100+, sold to multiple contractors) on a dynamic 'Right Pricing' model with no public rates. See real close-rate math vs the exclusive-lead alternative that drops cost per booked job to $100-$200 within 12 months.
Read the comparisonThumbtack vs Angi: Which Lead Platform Is Actually Better for Contractors in 2026?
Thumbtack vs Angi compared for 2026: pay-per-contact vs subscription pricing, shared-lead close rates, complaint patterns, and the true cost per booked job on each platform.
Read the comparisonHomeAdvisor vs Angi: What Is the Actual Difference in 2026?
Is HomeAdvisor the same as Angi? Yes — HomeAdvisor is now Angi Leads, both owned by Angi Inc. For home service contractors comparing the two products in 2026: how each bills, shared-lead close rates of 10–20%, and the real cost per booked job of $250–$500.
Read the comparisonWhich Lead Generation Companies Are Actually Best for Contractors in 2026?
Which lead generation company is best for contractors? It depends on whether you need volume now or margin later — here is what each one charges and how leads actually close. For home service contractors comparing Angi, Thumbtack, Bark, CraftJack, Networx, Porch, Service Direct, Modernize and Google LSA. Every figure sourced, no affiliate rankings.
Read the comparisonContractor Lead Generation Agency FAQs
What should contractors look for in a lead generation agency?
Look for seven things: who owns your website, domain, ad accounts, and CRM data when the contract ends; whether leads are exclusive or shared with competitors; whether reporting shows booked jobs rather than impressions; whether you can see raw call recordings and form fills yourself; the contract length and exit terms; whether the agency also works for your direct competitors in your service area; and who actually performs the work day to day. Asset ownership is the strongest single signal — an agency that keeps your domain or ad account is selling access, not building an asset.
Are paid lead services worth it for contractors compared to digital marketing?
They serve different jobs. Paid lead services like HomeAdvisor, Angi, and Thumbtack deliver volume immediately with no ramp, which makes them useful for filling a schedule gap or launching a new trade or territory. Their weakness is that leads are typically shared, cost per lead rises over time, and you build no asset you keep. Digital marketing — SEO, your own website, your own ad accounts — ramps more slowly but compounds and remains yours. Most contractors run both, using paid lead services as a floor while owned marketing is built, then reducing spend on them as owned channels carry the load.
How can contractors compare lead generation agencies fairly?
Ask every agency the same seven questions in writing and compare the answers side by side rather than comparing sales pitches. Then ask each one for a redacted client report and a reference in your trade. The agencies that answer plainly and show real reports are usually the ones doing real work; vague answers on ownership, exclusivity, and reporting are the disqualifiers.
Start With the Data
Ready to Get More Leads?
Get a free marketing audit for your contracting business. We'll show you exactly where you're losing leads.
Get Your Free Audit