How to Get Free Fence and Deck Leads in 2025
The Hunt for Free Leads: Is It Even Possible?
Leads are the lifeblood of any fence and deck business. Without a steady stream of potential customers knocking on your door (or calling your phone), your business can’t grow. They’re the primary way to build revenue and expand your future repeat, referral, and word-of-mouth business.
But here’s the kicker – acquiring new leads typically requires some kind of investment to see returns. For many fence and deck companies, especially those just starting out, this can be a real challenge.
So that sparked a simple question: Is it possible to get free fence and deck leads?
Spoiler alert: Yes, it absolutely is. Let’s dive into several methods you can implement TODAY to start generating more business TOMORROW, without spending a dime.
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1. Your Google Business Profile: The Free Lead-Generating Machine
If you only do ONE thing from this entire article, make it this: Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Why is this so critical? Two simple reasons:
- It’s completely free
- It’s the absolute best way to generate new business on Google
Your Google Business Profile appears in two key places: On Google Maps and in Google Local Search Results in a section called the Map Pack. This “Map Pack” is the holy grail – the three most popular related local businesses for a given search query, displayed at the top of search results next to a map.
Think about it. When someone searches “fence company near me” or “deck builders in [your city]” – do you want to be one of those top three results? You bet you do.
Your profile consists of just a few components: company name, address, phone number, business hours, photos, and those all-important customer reviews.
Securing your fence or deck business in these Local Map Pack results can help you capture more free leads long-term. Don’t sleep on this opportunity!
2. Door-to-Door Marketing: Old School But Effective
Let’s get real – nobody loves going door-to-door. But you know what’s great about fence and deck companies? You can literally SEE which homes need your services.
On your next slow day, find a local high-value neighborhood and scout for homes with:
- Dilapidated fences
- Weathered decks
- No fence where one would make sense
- Outdated materials that could use an upgrade
When you spot a property that needs work, introduce yourself and offer a free estimate on the spot. Even if they don’t commit now, they’ll definitely call you in the future when they’re ready to upgrade.
Door-to-door marketing is much more effective than lawn signs or flyers because you interact with potential customers face-to-face. People are more likely to connect with you on a human basis rather than through a piece of paper.
3. Leverage Customer Referrals (With A Twist)
We all know that one contractor who built a $500k business off word-of-mouth referrals alone. Consider these cases an exception, not the rule. But make no mistake – referrals from existing customers are still one of the most powerful, free resources your fence and deck company can rely on.
Here’s the process:
- Acquire a new customer
- Produce an exceptional result
- This is key: Incentivize referrals with monetary payouts or future discounts
Most fence and deck companies miss that last step. Don’t just hope for referrals – actively encourage them! Offer $100 off their next project for every friend they refer who becomes a customer. Or give a $50 gift card for each referral that books an estimate.
Remember: A fence or deck is a major investment that homeowners will show off to friends and family. Capitalize on that natural excitement.
4. Create a Website (Yes, It Can Be Free)
Most of your customers will begin searching for your services on Google. The best way to be found there, aside from your Google Business Profile, is with an Optimized Website.
While most business owners know about the costs of a well-optimized website, there are free options perfect for fence and deck companies just getting started. Check out Yola, which offers a free plan including a custom domain. Yes, they embed advertisements with the free plan, but free is free!
As your business grows, you can upgrade to a paid plan or invest in a more robust website solution.
5. Master Social Media (The Right Way)
Social media is a goldmine for generating free fence and deck leads. It allows you to personalize your outreach without the face-to-face effort required for door-knocking.
Follow your local Facebook Community Groups and you’ll regularly see community members requesting fence and deck contractor referrals. Why? Because word-of-mouth carries more weight than cold outreach. When you respond to these requests with a personalized message, it’s perceived similar to a face-to-face interaction.
Social media is also perfect for showcasing your work. Use Instagram to post dramatic before-and-after images of your fence and deck projects. People love a good transformation story.
Pro tip: Share both wins AND losses. “Behind the scenes” content showing your crew solving problems conveys authenticity and trust. It’s why HGTV has 99 shows about home renovation – people love seeing the process.
6. Network Like Your Business Depends On It (Because It Does)
The internet is great for networking, but it can get expensive. The fence and deck industry thrives on in-person networking to generate new leads.
You have several options for in-person networking:
- Industry events and trade shows
- Home and garden expos
- Local business organizations
- Community events
- Home improvement workshops
These public gatherings help establish your business as a local expert, ultimately earning you more customers. Bring business cards, before/after photos on your phone, and your most charismatic personality.
7. Showcase Your Work (Everywhere)
As a fence and deck business owner, you need to get comfortable showcasing your work to potential customers. Unlike plumbers and electricians, your work is highly visible and photogenic.
Lead generation gets much easier when your past work is visible. Your portfolio also shows what kind of clients you work with. If a customer wants a particular style of deck or specialized fencing, they’re more likely to hire a contractor with verifiable experience in those services.
If you don’t have a dedicated webpage yet, post your images on:
- Social media
- Google Business Profile
- Local business directories
- Neighborhood apps like Nextdoor
8. Boost Organic Rankings with SEO
Search Engine Optimization is another powerful marketing strategy your business can leverage for free leads. SEO involves strategically using keywords and phrases throughout your website content.
While hundreds of factors determine how well your site ranks organically, critical points include:
- Using location-specific keywords (“deck building in [city name]”)
- Creating helpful content that answers common questions
- Ensuring your website loads quickly
- Making your site mobile-friendly
- Building quality backlinks from other reputable sites
A Warning: Don’t Buy Shared Leads!
This might seem out of place in an article about free leads, but it’s important: Shared lead sites like Angi and HomeAdvisor can seem attractive. With consistent fence and deck leads for as little as $35/lead, why not try it?
Unfortunately, most contractors end up falling for the trap:
- That same lead goes to your direct competitors too
- This often equates to low-quality leads or outright fraud
- These services hijack your online presence
- What would have been a free lead, you end up paying for
Stay away! Put that money toward better marketing strategies instead.
Persistence is Key
Generating new fence and deck leads can be challenging when you’re just starting out. It can take over a year to build a sizable customer base and establish yourself in your local market. But once you do, the leads will come MUCH easier.
Monitor two critical metrics:
- Number of leads acquired each month
- Number of jobs closed
A simple formula (closed jobs/leads × 100) will give you your close ratio. Aim for something between 35–50%. If you can close half the leads you receive, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful fence and deck business.
Next Steps
If you’re looking for new leads as a fence or deck contractor, you can either invest your time into guerilla marketing or invest your money in a marketing agency to do the work for you.
If you want to know what you can do, Download the Ultimate Fence Contractor Marketing Checklists!
If you’re looking for a marketing agency that specializes in the fence and deck industry, look no further. Here at Secure Line Marketing, we have years of industry experience. Our tried and true marketing strategies can maximize your reach and help scale your business quickly and effectively.
Ready to boost your fence and deck business? Contact Secure Line Marketing today!
