A homeowner planning a two-storey extension contacts four local builders. Two reply within a day, with questions about the project and a suggested time to visit. One replies after a week. One never replies. The homeowner shortlists the first two. The slow builder has lost a project that might have kept a small team busy for months.
Building enquiries are fewer than enquiries in many other trades, but each one is worth much more.
Why each enquiry matters
A contractor might receive only a handful of serious project enquiries a month. Each could be an extension, a renovation or a new build: work that fills weeks or months. Missing even one is significant.
The value of a single captured enquiry, regardless of industry, is explored in the value of one captured enquiry.
A worked example
These figures are illustrative. Use your own.
Suppose a small building firm receives 20 project enquiries a month. Qualifying removes half as unsuitable, leaving 10 serious projects. Normally, the firm wins 2 of those.
Now suppose slow replies mean the firm is not shortlisted for 3 of the 10 serious projects. If the firm would have won one of those, that is one lost project a month, or 12 a year.
If an average project is worth a large sum, 12 lost projects a year is a very significant share of revenue. Try your own numbers with the chatbot ROI calculator.
Why contractors are slow
Contractors spend their days on site, managing teams, meeting suppliers and driving between jobs. Replying to enquiries often waits until evening, and detailed replies wait until the weekend. Meanwhile, homeowners are comparing builders.
Hotels face a similar problem with large group bookings, as covered in the cost of an unanswered group booking enquiry. The larger the enquiry, the more a slow reply costs.
Capturing the serious projects
SpideyChat for contractors and builders answers questions from your own website about your services, area and process, and captures project details: type of work, location, timeline, budget range and whether plans exist. You can see at a glance which enquiries are serious and reply to those first.
Qualifying before a visit is covered step by step in project enquiries that need qualifying before a site visit.
The shortlist effect
Homeowners often shortlist two or three contractors and invite them to quote. Being on the shortlist is what matters. A prompt, organised first reply, even a short one acknowledging the enquiry and asking a couple of questions, often secures a place. The general effect of missed replies across businesses is covered in what missed enquiries cost your business.
Comparing the cost
Set the value of one lost project against the cost of capturing every enquiry. Plans are on the pricing page, with Pro at $29.99 a month.
Referrals and reputation
Building work is often won through word of mouth. A homeowner who contacted you and never heard back may mention it to neighbours, and that silence travels. A homeowner who received a prompt, polite reply, even one saying you are fully booked until spring, is more likely to recommend you later. Every enquiry is a small test of reputation, whether or not it becomes a project.
A simple test
Look at the last three months of enquiries. For each serious project you did not win, note how long it took you to reply. If slow replies show up often, the case for faster capture is clear.
Getting started
Make sure your website explains the projects you take on and your service area, then let homeowners leave their project details at any hour.