Winter can feel like a slow season for renovation businesses, but that doesn’t mean your marketing should go quiet. While the ground might be frozen and outdoor jobs shift gears, it’s the perfect time to focus on strategies that keep your phones ringing and your brand top of mind. Homeowners still think about fixing their basements, updating kitchens, or planning ahead for spring projects. They just need a reminder that your crew is ready for the job.
Keeping a steady presence during the colder months helps you build momentum when the busy season returns. It’s a chance to show how your team works year-round, build trust in your name, and fill your project calendar before the snow even melts. The winter slowdown can actually work in your favour if you’re smart with your message, where you share it, and what kind of offers you throw in front of clients.
Use Social Media With a Seasonal Twist
Your Facebook or Instagram feed doesn’t need to hibernate when the snow falls. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to stay connected with people who might not be thinking about renos but would jump at the right offer or idea if it showed up in their feed at the right time.
Winter gives you a chance to switch up your content. People love to see real photos of local businesses working through the season. Short phone clips showing your crew finishing a rec room, insulating a garage, or fixing drafty doors help keep your name at the front of people’s minds. Just a few updates a week can go a long way.
Here are some easy ideas you can post this season:
- Before-and-after shots of jobs that help with heat or comfort during winter
- Customer testimonials with a note about what was done and what problem it fixed
- Quick clips from winter job sites along with tips you’d give any homeowner
- Behind-the-scenes moments like unloading trucks or starting a job in the snow
- Simple promo reminders tied to seasonal offerings
Winter-themed visuals help show that your team works year-round. A snow-covered roof repair, a cozy basement reno, or a space lit up with holiday lights gives your posts a local, seasonal vibe. Keep captions clear and skip complicated tags.
You can also post seasonal polls or questions. Ask clients what winter upgrade they’d tackle first, or run a small giveaway like a gift card to a local hardware store. Use posts to start conversations, not just promote services.
Create Winter-Specific Offers
If you want to get clients’ attention during a slower season, a smart winter offer could be your best tool. With fewer contractors competing for indoor jobs, it’s a great time to give potential clients a reason to take action now.
Winter work mostly covers indoor upgrades, so your deals should match that need. Focus on high-demand cold-season services like basement finishing, bathroom remodelling, insulation, or anything that keeps homes warmer and more energy-efficient. Even if a client is thinking about spring, an offer now might convince them to book ahead.
Here are a few ideas for promos that work well this time of year:
- Labour discounts on basement or indoor jobs booked before spring
- Guarantee of early spring scheduling for work reserved in winter
- No-cost consultation if they reach out before a set date
- Referral rewards for clients who bring in a friend with a winter booking
Keep your promotions clear and direct. Add a deadline so there’s urgency. Then push the offer across every channel—talk about it in your emails, post it on social, and mention it in conversation with past clients or community contacts. Don’t rely on just one method to get the word out.
Seasonal promos aren’t just about filling schedule gaps. They help remind people you’re active and looking for specific types of projects, setting you apart from others who go quiet over winter.
Get Involved With Your Local Community
When site work slows down, there’s more time to show up where your future clients live and work. Becoming a visible part of your community helps people see your name when they’re not looking for renovation help, so when they do need a contractor, you’re top of mind.
You don’t need a big budget to make a difference locally. Here are a few practical ways to build stronger neighbourhood ties:
- Sponsor a kids’ team, a local winter event, or a community fundraiser
- Partner with a local charity or food bank for a holiday donation campaign
- Host a free winter home care workshop—talk insulation, moisture control, or safety tips
- Volunteer or join winter cleanup days and show your crew giving back
These kinds of steps might not bring immediate leads but they do build awareness. Seeing your logo on a rink board or your team name on an event banner sticks in people’s heads. It shows that you’re more than just a business—you’re part of where they live.
Staying visible through acts of service can earn long-term trust, all while helping your community during months that are often quiet.
Stay Connected With Email Marketing
Even if work has slowed down, communication shouldn’t. Email is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay in touch with old and new clients. Done right, it sets you up for jobs months down the line.
It starts with a solid, up-to-date contact list. Keep past clients, people who asked for quotes, and referrals from the past year. Then keep it simple. You don’t need fancy designs or slick templates. What people care about is real updates and info that helps them or makes them feel included.
Reach out with:
- Project highlights from the season so far, especially indoor ones
- Handy home maintenance tips that help during cold months
- Special “subscriber-only” early spring deals
- A short holiday message that thanks your clients for sticking with you
Make sure your subject line is clear so people know what they’re opening. Keep copy short and friendly, like something you’d send to a friend or neighbour. Include your contact info so it’s easy to reply.
Timing helps, too. Weekday mornings or early afternoons often work best. Most people check their inbox during those windows, and you increase the odds of your email getting seen, not buried under other messages.
These emails don’t have to lead to an instant booking. The goal is to stay top-of-mind, build that relationship, and be the first name they think of when it’s time to start that next reno job.
Keep Building Even When the Snow Falls
Slower jobs in winter don’t mean it’s time to shut everything down. If anything, winter gives you extra breathing room to take control of your marketing, grow your community roots, and try ideas that might be hard to pull off during busy months.
Showing your work through social channels builds trust. Custom offers give hesitant homeowners a reason to act. Simple community support builds name recognition. Even the most basic newsletter helps keep you visible.
When you keep showing up through the quieter months, the work you put in now pays off when the warmer season starts. Take the time to sharpen your message, connect with your past clients, and stay active in your town—you won’t just weather the off-season, you’ll come out stronger.
Whether you’re gearing up for spring projects or looking to stay busy this winter, strong marketing can help you keep the work rolling in. At Funky Moose Digital, we work with renovation pros across Canada to build strategies that bring in real leads. Take a look at our renovation contractor marketing services to see how we can help fill your calendar and grow your business on your terms.