Comparison Guide

Shared Leads vs Exclusive Leads: What Actually Costs Less Per Job?

Every contractor faces this decision: buy cheap shared leads from platforms like HomeAdvisor, CraftJack, or Porch — or invest in exclusive leads through your own marketing. The upfront numbers seem obvious, but the math tells a different story.

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Shared Leads (HomeAdvisor, Angi, CraftJack, Porch)

Pricing: $15-$75 per lead, $250-$750+ per booked job

Pros

  • Lower cost per lead ($15-$75)
  • Instant lead flow — no waiting
  • No marketing knowledge needed
  • Easy to start and stop

Cons

  • Close rate 10-20% (competing with 3-5 contractors)
  • Real cost per job: $250-$750+
  • Zero long-term value — stop paying, leads stop
  • Brand dilution — homeowners remember the platform, not you
  • Costs rise as platforms increase prices

Best for: New contractors who need immediate lead flow while building their own marketing

Exclusive Leads (Your Own SEO, PPC, Website)

Pricing: $2K-$5K/month investment, $100-$350 per booked job

Pros

  • Close rate 30-50% (homeowner contacted YOU specifically)
  • Real cost per job: $100-$350
  • Builds a long-term asset you own
  • Cost per lead decreases over time
  • Brand building that compounds

Cons

  • Takes 3-6 months for SEO to ramp up
  • Requires upfront investment ($2K-$5K/month)
  • Needs a partner who knows contractor marketing

Best for: Established contractors who want to stop renting leads and build a predictable pipeline

The BaaDigi Alternative: Own Your Pipeline

Instead of renting leads from platforms, we build a marketing system you own — one that generates exclusive leads and gets cheaper over time.

We build the system that generates exclusive leads: SEO + PPC + conversion-optimized website + AI follow-up
Average client sees cost per lead drop 40-60% within 12 months compared to shared lead platforms
Every lead goes only to YOU — no bidding war, no race to the phone
The Predictable Work Engine™ gives you a complete framework from day one
Monthly reporting shows real cost per lead and cost per booked job
We've done this for 163+ contractors — we know what works
See How It Works for Your Business

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between shared and exclusive leads?

A shared lead is sold to 3-5 contractors simultaneously — you're racing to respond first and competing on price. An exclusive lead comes from your own marketing (SEO, Google Ads, your website) — the homeowner contacted YOU specifically because they found you.

Are exclusive leads worth the higher price?

Yes. While exclusive leads may cost more upfront per lead, the close rate is 2-3x higher (30-50% vs 10-20% for shared). This means your actual cost per BOOKED JOB is typically 40-60% lower with exclusive leads.

How long does it take to build an exclusive lead pipeline?

Google Ads can generate exclusive leads within days. SEO takes 3-6 months to build momentum but produces the cheapest long-term leads. The ideal approach combines both for immediate and compounding results.

Can I start with shared leads and switch to exclusive?

Absolutely — that's actually the strategy we recommend. Use shared leads (CraftJack, etc.) for immediate cash flow while we build your SEO, website, and ad campaigns. Over 6-12 months, your own marketing replaces the need for third-party leads.

More Comparisons

HomeAdvisor vs Angi vs Owning Your Own Lead PipelineCraftJack vs BaaDigi: Pay-Per-Lead vs Owning Your PipelinePorch Leads vs Building Your Own Lead Pipeline

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