Let’s face it—most remodeling jobs don’t come from people who just clicked an ad and hired you the next day. They come from someone who heard about you months ago…Saw your van drive through the neighborhood…Had you recommended by a neighbor…Or maybe they stumbled across your website and thought, “This looks promising.”And then? They forgot. Not because you weren’t a good fit—but because life got busy. They meant to call. They meant to ask for a quote. They meant to circle back after vacation. But the moment passed. So the question is: How do you stay remembered—without feeling like you’re chasing people or constantly “selling”?
The Real Reason Contractors Struggle to Get Repeat Business
If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you’ve probably had this experience: You do a great job for a client. They’re thrilled.T hey say, “We’ll definitely call you next time.” And then you drive by their house six months later and…Someone else’s truck is in the driveway. It’s not that they stopped liking you. It’s that they forgot you. This happens more than most of us want to admit. Even satisfied customers forget who did their windows or built their deck—especially if it’s been a while. They lose your number. Can’t find your card. Or ask around and get referred to someone new. That’s not just a missed job.T hat’s a missed opportunity for repeat business, referrals, reviews, and long-term value. So how do you prevent it?
The Tool Most Remodelers Overlook: Email
Now before you roll your eyes and think “I don’t want to spam people,” hear me out. Email doesn’t have to be pushy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. And it doesn’t have to be daily, weekly, or even monthly. What it does need to be is consistent. A simple email every few weeks can: Remind past customers that you’re aroundShow off recent jobs with before/after photosShare helpful seasonal advice. Offer maintenance tips Keep your name fresh in their minds.It’s like leaving a friendly note on their fridge—not barging into their dinner party. And done right, it can make your phone ring with zero cold calling, no advertising, and no awkward check-ins.
I’ve used several email platforms over the years. Some are powerful but overwhelming. Some look sleek but are better suited for full-time marketers. AWeber is the one I always come back to. It’s built for small business owners—people like you and me—who need something that: Works reliably. Doesn’t take hours to learn. Helps you automate the follow-up process. You can write one email, set it to send automatically when someone joins your list, and not think about it again.Here’s how that plays out in real life:
Imagine This Scenario…
Let’s say you meet a homeowner who’s thinking about renovating their kitchen. Not ready yet. Just browsing ideas.You hand them a card with a link to your website. On that website, they see a free guide you offer:
“5 Design Mistakes to Avoid in Your Next Remodel”
They enter their email to get it. Now you’ve got a way to stay in touch. And they get value—without pressure. Over the next few weeks, they get a few short, helpful emails: A quick video of a recent kitchen you remodeled. A note with tips for budgeting, A story about a past client who loved their new space. When they’re ready to move forward? You’re the first name they think of. That’s what AWeber helps you do. And the best part is—once it’s set up, it runs on its own. Check out this quick video that shows how simple it is to create your first email list and set up follow-up email
You’re not alone. This is the #1 fear most people have when it comes to email.
Here’s a simple format that works for almost any remodeling business:
Start with something helpful
“Summer’s around the corner—here’s a smart way to keep your home cooler without replacing all your windows.”
2. Show something you’ve done
“We recently did this in a historic home downtown. The results were better than expected—check it out.”
3. Include a soft call to action
“If you’re thinking about doing something similar, now’s the time to start planning. Give me a call or just reply to this email.”
That’s it. No hard sell. Just a helpful note from someone they already trust. AWeber even has templates and automation tools to make this kind of messaging easier.
Want to See It for Yourself?
I’ve partnered with AWeber to give my readers easy access to everything you need to get started. Click here to check it out. They’ve got a free trial, so there’s no risk. Just a chance to: Build your list of past and future clientsStay visible, even during slow seasons. Get more value from the clients you already haveAnd even one new job a year from this makes it worth the time.
Final Thought: Marketing That Feels Like Service
Look—email marketing gets a bad name because so many people do it badly. But when you use it to help, not hassle? When you focus on building trust instead of blasting promotions? It becomes a powerful tool. And the good news is, you don’t need a full-time marketing department to do it. You just need a simple system—and a reliable tool like AWeber—to keep your name in the mix.If you’ve ever wondered, “What happened to that customer? ”This might be your answer.
Try AWeber Today
Start your free trial, or check out the demo video to see how it works:
