Exclusive vs. shared contractor leads: what to compare

Outlast Leads sends each lead to one contractor and reserves the agreed ZIP codes or cities for that client. We do not onboard another contractor client in those areas. A homeowner may independently contact other businesses. When comparing shared-lead providers, ask how many contractors receive each inquiry and how repeat requests are handled.

An inquiry sent to one contractor can still concern the wrong trade or location. A shared inquiry can still describe a suitable project. Use the same fit checklist for both: accepted work, property location, decision-maker, timing, and usable contact information. Outlast Leads contacts the homeowner and asks several questions to prequalify the request. Only after they answer is the inquiry forwarded to your office. Your team then contacts the homeowner and confirms the booking; the handoff is not itself a booked appointment.

Keep a record of receipt time, first contact attempt, conversation, estimate, and final outcome. Calculate contact rate as inquiries with a two-way conversation divided by inquiries received. Calculate your inquiry-to-job close rate using the same received group, while keeping unresolved opportunities visible. Review why jobs were lost rather than assigning every loss to competition. Your schedule, quote, project scope, and follow-up can all affect the result. Record what the homeowner actually says; avoid guessing how many other contractors they consulted or why they chose another business.

For each arrangement, divide the related lead spend by the jobs won from those inquiries. Then compare the gross profit from those jobs after subtracting that spend. Include your office and estimating effort when assessing the wider business cost. Keep project types and sales periods comparable: small repairs and major installations can have very different economics. If one group has not completed its normal sales cycle, report it as pending. Neither a lower inquiry price nor an exclusivity label establishes which option produces the better business outcome.

Agree on a manageable test scope, a review date, and the records needed to evaluate it. Define how disputed fit, repeat inquiries, and delivery concerns will be discussed under the actual written terms. Review the actual replacement terms rather than assuming every provider has the same policy. Check that your team can handle the expected conversations without promising appointments it cannot provide. Outlast Leads offers pay-per-lead service with no upfront cost, retainer or subscription, plus free replacements up to 30% of delivered leads if you cannot reach the homeowner or give a quote. Each Outlast inquiry is exclusive for your agreed service area and is not sold to competing contractors. Agree on the project criteria and area before starting.