Quick Answer for Painting Contractors
In 2025, exclusive live-call painting leads run about $70-$110 and convert ~25-45%. Exclusive form leads cost $50-$80 with ~20-35% close. Shared marketplace leads cost ~$15-$60 but usually convert just 5-15% for one painter, making true cost per booked job much higher. Balance interior (year-round) with exterior (seasonal peaks), and respond within minutes to maximize win rates.
Painting Lead Generation: Complete Guide for Contractors
Everything painting contractors need to know about generating, buying, and converting leads in 2025. Interior vs exterior strategies, estimating tactics, and seasonal optimization.
Table of Contents
Painting Lead Costs by Type (2025)
Fresh market ranges: exclusive live-call painting leads ~$70-$110+, exclusive callbacks/forms ~$50-$80, and shared web leads ~$15-$60 (higher for big exterior jobs or competitive metros). Live calls stay the ROI leader because they convert far higher than shared leads.
Live Transfers
- Homeowner on line immediately
- 100% exclusive (no competition)
- Pre-qualified and verified
Callback Leads
- Homeowner expects your call
- 100% exclusive
- Good for scheduled projects
Shared Web Leads
- Shared with 3-4 painters
- Cold calling required
- Heavy competition
Painting Cost Per Job Analysis:
Exclusive live calls priced ~$70-$110 with 25-45% conversion work out to roughly $155-$440 per booked job for most painters. Exclusive form leads at $50-$80 and 20-35% conversion typically land around $143-$400. Shared leads at $15-$60 and 5-15% conversion can end up $100-$1,200+ per job because you chase many unresponsive or competitive requests. Paying more for exclusive, high-intent calls usually lowers true acquisition cost.
Best Lead Types for Painting Contractors
1. Interior Painting Leads
Rooms, whole house interior, trim, ceilings
Interior painting leads have highest conversion (35-45%) and work year-round. Job values ($500-$5,000) vary by scope. Homeowners typically get 3 quotes. Win with same-day estimates, detailed written proposals, and showing past work photos. Weather-independent, so consistent pipeline.
2. Exterior Painting Leads
House exterior, trim, deck staining, fences
Exterior leads have higher job value ($2,000-$8,000) but seasonal demand (spring/summer). Lower conversion (25-35%) due to weather dependency and price sensitivity. Win with power washing included, multi-year warranties, and proper surface prep emphasis. Peak revenue during good weather months.
3. Cabinet & Specialty Painting Leads
Kitchen cabinets, furniture refinishing, specialty finishes
Cabinet painting leads offer premium pricing ($1,000-$3,000) with good conversion (30-40%). Requires specialized skills—less competition. Homeowners seek quality over price. Year-round demand, faster than full kitchen remodel, excellent margins. Growing market as homeowners update vs replace.
Painting Lead ROI Calculator
Save $181 per job by switching to LeadHelpline painting live transfers
Painting Lead Project Mix Strategies
Successful painters balance year-round interior work with seasonal exterior projects. Optimize your lead mix based on weather patterns and crew capacity.
Year-Round Focus
Interior work emphasis
- 70% Interior painting
- 20% Cabinet painting
- 10% Small exterior projects
Seasonal Balance
Adapt to weather patterns
- 50% Interior painting
- 40% Exterior (spring/summer)
- 10% Specialty work
Premium Focus
High-value projects
- 50% Cabinet painting
- 30% Luxury home interiors
- 20% Commercial projects
Painting Industry Benchmarks
| Metric | Interior | Exterior | Cabinet/Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion (Live) | 35-45% | 25-35% | 30-40% |
| Avg Job Value | $500-$5,000 | $2,000-$8,000 | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Time to Close | 3-7 days | 5-10 days | 3-7 days |
Common Painting Lead Mistakes
Slow Estimates or No-Shows
Homeowners schedule 3-5 estimates. Painters who show up first win 50% of jobs. Arrive on time, provide same-day written quotes, and follow up within 24 hours. Speed and professionalism beat low price.
Generic Verbal Estimates
Professional written estimates with scope details, surface prep, paint brand/quality, and timeline close 40% more jobs. Include photos of past work. Show you're serious vs fly-by-night competitors giving vague ballpark numbers.
Painting Lead Sources Compared
| Source | Lead Cost | Conversion | Cost Per Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadHelpline (Live Calls, Exclusive) | $70-$110 | 25-45% | ≈$155-$440 |
| Inquirly (Exclusive Calls) | $75-$105 | 25-45% | ≈$167-$420 |
| Angi / HomeAdvisor (Shared) | $15-$80 | 5-15% | ≈$100-$1,600 |
| Thumbtack | $10-$50 | 5-15% | ≈$67-$1,000 |
| Google LSA (Pay-per-lead) | $20-$40 | 15-30% | ≈$67-$267 |
Painting Lead Generation FAQs
How much do painting leads cost?
Exclusive live-call painting leads typically run ~$70-$110+ per qualified call (market and job-size dependent). Exclusive form/callback leads often cost ~$50-$80. Shared marketplace web leads for painters range roughly $15-$60 (sometimes up to ~$80 in big cities or large exterior jobs).
What is a good close rate for painting leads?
Exclusive/live painting leads often convert 25-45% (some providers claim 50%+ when sales process is strong). Exclusive form leads tend to land around 20-35%. Shared painting leads usually convert 5-15% per painter because multiple contractors contact the same homeowner.
Should I focus on interior or exterior painting?
Both have value. Interior ($500-$3,000) has year-round demand and faster close. Exterior ($2,000-$8,000) is seasonal but higher revenue. Balanced mix optimizes cash flow across all seasons.
How quickly should I respond to painting leads?
For live transfers, you're already connected. For callback leads: respond same day. Homeowners get 3-5 quotes, and fast response shows professionalism. Schedule in-home estimates within 2-3 days of first contact.
Do painting leads work year-round?
Interior painting works year-round. Exterior painting peaks in spring/summer (70% of annual volume) due to favorable weather. Adjust lead budget seasonally—increase in spring, maintain interior focus in winter.
Can I target specific painting services?
Yes. Specify residential vs commercial, interior vs exterior, cabinet painting, deck staining, wallpaper removal, drywall repair + painting, or other specialty services you offer.
What information comes with a painting lead?
Live transfers connect you directly. Callback leads include: homeowner name, phone, address, project type (e.g., "paint 3 bedrooms", "exterior house painting"), square footage if known, timeline, and specific requirements.
How do painting lead costs compare to other marketing?
Google Ads for painters averages $20-$45 per click with ~5-10% click-to-lead; at a 20-30% close rate that can be ~$333-$900+ per job. Exclusive live-call leads priced $70-$110 with ~25-45% close often land near $155-$440 per job. Shared web leads at $15-$60 and ~5-15% close can exceed $400-$1,200 per job.
Are these leads exclusive to me?
Yes. LeadHelpline provides 100% exclusive leads. Unlike HomeAdvisor/Angi or Thumbtack where 3-4+ painters see the same request, you're the only painter who receives each LeadHelpline lead—no bidding wars.
What is the average painting job value from these leads?
Interior rooms: $500-$1,500. Whole house interior: $2,000-$5,000. Exterior painting: $2,000-$8,000. Cabinet painting: $1,000-$3,000. Commercial projects: $3,000-$15,000+. Mix provides balanced revenue stream.
Can I pause painting leads during bad weather?
Yes. Pause and resume anytime from your dashboard. Many painters pause exterior leads during rain or extreme cold, then resume when weather improves. No penalties or fees for pausing.
How many painting leads can I expect per week?
Depends on your service area, budget, and season. Typical painter receives 10-30 leads/week. Spring/summer volume is 2-3x higher for exterior work. You control volume via budget caps.
What if I specialize in specific painting (e.g., only commercial)?
You can target specific project types. If you only do commercial, cabinet refinishing, or specialize in high-end residential, set those preferences to receive only relevant leads. Specialization often improves conversion.
Do these leads include commercial painting work?
Most leads are residential. If you do commercial painting (offices, retail, restaurants, apartments), specify this preference to receive commercial leads. Commercial work has higher job values but longer decision cycles.
Should I offer free estimates for painting leads?
Free in-home estimates are standard in painting. 95% of homeowners expect this. Winning comes from professional presentation, detailed written quotes, showing past work, and competitive pricing—not from charging for estimates.
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