Quick facts: Washington
- Free first
- Google Business Profile, referrals, past customers, Nextdoor, Facebook
- Pay per lead
- Google LSA, Angi/HomeAdvisor, Porch, Networx, Fixr, Thumbtack
- Pay when you win
- BuildZoom
- Jobs, not leads
- Home warranty networks
- Judge by
- Cost per booked job
Fees, rules and rates change, often on July 1 and January 1. Verify every item with the responsible agency before you rely on it.
Short answer: Free sources come first: Google Business Profile, referrals, past customers, Nextdoor and Facebook. Paid sources charge per lead (Google Local Services Ads, Angi and HomeAdvisor, Porch, Networx, Fixr, Thumbtack), per click (Google search ads), with credits (Bark), on a win (BuildZoom), or send assigned jobs (home warranty networks). Many paid leads go to several pros at once, so response speed and cost per booked job decide which ones pay.
Updated October 12, 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm with the agency named on this page.
Lead sources at a glance
| Source | How you pay | Who else gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Free | Your listing |
| Google Local Services Ads | Per valid lead | Calls and messages to you |
| Google search ads | Per click | Clicks to your site |
| Thumbtack | To send a quote or receive leads | Often shared |
| Angi / HomeAdvisor | Per lead; ads and memberships | 3 to 4 pros per request |
| Porch | Per lead or monthly budget | Up to 4 per homeowner |
| Networx | Prepaid budget | Up to 4 (shared) or exclusive |
| Bark | Credits | Up to 5 pros |
| Fixr | Set price per lead | About 2 on average |
| Houzz Pro | Plans plus ads | Not listed |
| BuildZoom | % referral fee when you win | Not listed |
| Home warranty networks | Paid jobs, not leads | Assigned to you |
| Yelp | Free page; ads extra | Not listed |
| Nextdoor | Free page; ads extra | Neighbor recommendations |
| Craigslist | Small fee per services post | Direct to you |
| Referrals and past customers | Free | Direct to you |
From each company's own published pages, checked October 13, 2026. See each linked page for the exact wording and sources.
Each row links to a full page with the platform's own words and sources.
- Google Business Profile
- Google Local Services Ads
- Google search ads
- Thumbtack
- Angi
- HomeAdvisor
- Porch
- Networx
- Bark
- Fixr
- Houzz Pro
- Modernize
- BuildZoom
- Home warranty companies
- Home Depot and Lowe's installer programs
- TaskRabbit and Angi Services
- Yelp
- Nextdoor
- Craigslist
- Referrals
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the lead exclusive, or sent to other pros? How many?
- Do I get the customer's phone number and email?
- What counts as a billable lead, and how do I get credit for a bad one?
- Is there a contract, minimum term or budget commitment?
- Can I limit job types, areas and hours?
Where Contractor Lane Operator fits
Whichever sources you use, Operator helps you answer, price, book and close more of them, and keeps the rest of the business running, for $79 a month. See the cost per booked job math.
Checked October 13, 2026 against the company's own published pages. Platforms change pricing and rules often; confirm before you spend.
Want it handled, not just explained?
Operator is the AI business coach for contractors.
A business audit and a plan, an online mentor you can ask any time, team training for your crew, and deadline reminders. $79/month, any state, cancel anytime.
Common questions
What is the best lead source for contractors?
Free sources first: Google Business Profile, referrals and past customers. Among paid sources, the best is the one with the lowest cost per booked job in your trade and area.
Which contractor leads are exclusive?
Networx sells an exclusive plan and home warranty companies assign jobs. Most others share requests: HomeAdvisor says 3 to 4 pros, Porch up to 4, Bark up to 5, Fixr about 2 on average.