Let’s cut through the noise. You’re running a contracting business, not a lifestyle brand. You’ve got jobs to finish, crews to manage, and estimates to write. So when someone tells you to “post more on Instagram,” it probably feels like just another thing on an already endless to-do list.
But here’s the thing: social media for contractors in 2025 isn’t about becoming an influencer or posting artsy photos of your morning coffee. It’s about being where your customers are when they’re ready to hire someone like you.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
100% of construction professionals now include social media in their marketing strategy. That’s not a typo: it’s everyone. And there’s a good reason: 78% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on what they see on social media. When Mrs. Johnson’s deck needs replacing, she’s not flipping through the Yellow Pages. She’s scrolling through Facebook, checking out contractors’ recent work, and reading reviews from her neighbours.
54% of consumers turn to social media for purchase decisions: more than any other online source. That means if you’re not there, you’re invisible to more than half your potential customers.
The results speak for themselves. 45% of contractors have seen greater brand awareness through social media, 36% got more website traffic, and 18% generated direct leads. That last number might seem small, but think about it: if social media brings you even two quality leads per month, that could easily pay for your marketing efforts for the entire year.
“But I Don’t Have Time for All That Posting”
This is the number one concern we hear from contractors, and it’s completely valid. You’re already working 50+ hour weeks. The last thing you need is another time-consuming task that might not even pay off.
Here’s what most contractors get wrong: they think social media means posting every day, responding to comments within minutes, and creating viral content. That’s not reality for trades businesses.
Realistic social media for contractors looks like this:
- Posting 2-3 times per week (not per day)
- Sharing photos of completed projects
- Posting brief updates on current jobs
- Sharing customer testimonials when you get them
- Responding to messages and comments within 24-48 hours
That’s it. No dancing videos, no motivational quotes, no complex content calendars.
What Actually Works for Contractors
Before and after photos are your bread and butter. A kitchen remodel, a new roof, a fresh coat of exterior paint: these transformations tell your story better than any ad copy ever could. People love seeing the tangible results of good work.
Work-in-progress shots build trust and transparency. Showing the process: even the messy middle parts: demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. It also helps potential customers understand what they’re paying for.
Customer testimonials and reviews carry massive weight. When someone posts about your work or leaves a positive review, share it. These third-party endorsements are worth their weight in gold.
Local community involvement resonates with your target market. Sponsoring a little league team, participating in a charity build, or just highlighting other local businesses you work with: all of this builds your reputation as a community-centred contractor.
The ROI Question: Does It Actually Lead to Jobs?
Let’s talk dollars and cents. 82% of businesses reported increased brand visibility through social media platforms. But visibility doesn’t pay the bills: contracts do.
Here’s what we’ve seen with contractors who commit to a consistent social media presence:
Immediate benefits:
- Increased website traffic (customers want to see more of your work)
- More phone calls and quote requests
- Better quality leads (people who’ve already seen your work are more serious buyers)
Long-term benefits:
- Stronger local reputation and word-of-mouth referrals
- Higher perceived value (active social media makes you look established and professional)
- Better Google search rankings (social media activity helps with local SEO)
One of our clients, a roofing contractor in Regina, started posting consistently on Facebook and Instagram six months ago. He’s now booking jobs 2-3 weeks further out than before, and his average project value increased by 15% because customers perceived him as more established and professional.
The Smart Contractor’s Social Media Strategy
Focus on Facebook and Instagram. These are where your customers spend their time. LinkedIn can work if you do commercial work, but for residential contractors, stick with the big two.
Post when you have something worth sharing. Don’t force daily posts. Quality over quantity, always.
Use your phone. You don’t need professional photography. Your smartphone camera is more than good enough for social media posts.
Tell the story behind the work. “Fixed a 20-year-old deck that was starting to sag. The homeowners were worried it wouldn’t be safe for their grandkids to play on. Three days later, it’s solid as a rock and ready for many more family BBQs.” That’s the kind of post that resonates.
Engage with your local community online. Follow and interact with other local businesses, community groups, and potential customers. Social media is social: it’s about building relationships, not just broadcasting your work.
Making It Sustainable Without Burning Out
The key to social media success as a contractor isn’t posting more: it’s posting smarter. Build it into your existing workflow:
- Take a quick “after” photo when you finish a job (you’re probably already taking these for your records anyway)
- Ask satisfied customers if you can share their kind words
- Spend 10 minutes on Sunday planning your posts for the week
- Use your drive time to respond to comments and messages (hands-free, obviously)
Most contractors who give up on social media try to do too much too fast. Start small. One good post per week is infinitely better than burning out after two weeks of daily posting.
The Bottom Line
Social media matters for contractors in 2025 because that’s where your customers are making decisions about who to hire. It’s not about becoming famous or getting thousands of followers: it’s about being visible, trustworthy, and top-of-mind when someone needs your services.
The contractors who ignore social media aren’t just missing opportunities: they’re actively losing jobs to competitors who show up where customers are looking.
Ready to Stop Missing Out on Social Media Leads?
Look, we get it. You became a contractor to build things, not to manage Instagram accounts. That’s where we come in.
At Funky Moose Digital, we handle the social media side so you can focus on what you do best: delivering quality work. We create content that actually generates leads (not just likes), manage your online presence consistently, and track the ROI so you know exactly what you’re getting for your investment.
Want to see how effective social media management can impact your business? Request a free consultation and we’ll show you exactly how contractors in your area are using social media to book more jobs and increase their project values.
No fluff, no complicated strategies: just practical social media that brings in real leads for your contracting business.