How Much Should You Spend on Marketing?
Most home service companies should invest 6% to 10% of revenue on marketing. But the right number depends on your trade, your goals, and where you put it. This calculator builds your custom budget and shows you exactly where every dollar should go.
Enter your numbers. Get a budget, a channel mix, and a revenue projection.
Build Your Custom Marketing Budget
Tell us your trade, your revenue, and your goal. We'll show you the budget, the channel mix, and the projected results.
Your Custom Budget Plan. Built for Your Trade.
Right-Sized Budget
Not a guess. A budget recommendation based on your revenue, your growth goal, and proven benchmarks for your trade. Spend the right amount, not too much, not too little.
Channel Mix with Sliders
See exactly where every dollar goes across Google LSA, Google Ads, SEO, and Meta. Drag the sliders to test different mixes and watch the projections change in real time.
Revenue Projections
Leads, jobs, revenue, and ROI projected per channel. Every number specific to your trade. See what your marketing spend should actually produce.
Contractors Who Invested Smart. And Got Booked Solid.
“First year in business and we went from 1-2 calls a month to multiple leads every single day. Over 200 five-star reviews. Watson & Co. built this from the ground up.”
Justin W.
Owner, TreesRX, Tree Services
“Top SEO rankings across Central Florida and Google Ads generating over 20 calls a month. Our schedule stays full because of Watson & Co.”
Matt S.
JMT Cabinets, Cabinet Refacing & Installation
“60+ remodeling leads every month. Consistent, daily lead flow. If you're serious about growing, these are your people.”
Mike A.
Owner, Amoroso Remodels, Remodeling Contractor
Straight Answers. No Runaround.
How much should a home service company spend on marketing?
Most home service companies should invest 6% to 10% of their revenue on marketing. Companies under $500K in annual revenue typically need 10% to build momentum. Companies over $1M can often maintain growth at 6%. The calculator factors in your specific revenue and growth goal to give you a precise recommendation.
Where should I spend my marketing budget?
For most home service companies, the highest-ROI channels are Google Local Services Ads (lowest cost per lead), Google Ads (fastest lead flow), and SEO (lowest long-term cost). Meta/Facebook works well for brand awareness and retargeting. The ideal mix depends on your trade and budget size.
What ROI should I expect from marketing?
A well-run marketing program for home service companies should deliver 5x to 10x return on investment. That means for every $1 you spend, you should generate $5 to $10 in revenue. Lower-ticket trades like pest control tend toward the higher end. Higher-ticket trades like roofing and general contracting can hit 15x or more.
Is this budget calculator accurate?
Yes. The benchmarks come from real cost-per-lead data across thousands of home service companies from 2024 to 2026, including data from ServiceTitan and industry surveys. Your actual results depend on your market and competition, but the ballpark is solid. The channel sliders let you model different scenarios to see how changes in allocation affect your projections.
Should I do my own marketing or hire an agency?
If you have the time and expertise to manage Google Ads, LSA, SEO, and your online reputation, you can do it yourself. Most home service business owners don't. An agency costs money but frees your time to run your business and typically generates a higher ROI because they know what works. Read our full comparison of agency vs. DIY.
How does Watson & Co. differ from other agencies?
We only work with one company per trade in each market. If we're running Google Ads for a plumber in your city, we won't take on another plumber there. Your leads are your leads. No conflicts, no shared strategies, no competition from your own agency. That exclusivity is why our clients stay.