If your phone isn’t ringing as much as it should be, or if jobs feel too far apart, it’s time to ask a hard question. What are your competitors doing that you’re not?
Whether you’re running a small concrete crew or managing multiple trucks, this list will walk you through eight things successful companies are doing to stay booked, stay visible, and grow fast. These are not gimmicks. These are real strategies you can start using right now.
1. They Follow Up With Every Estimate
Most contractors send out a quote and hope for the best.
But your competitor is following up the next day. Then again after a few days. And maybe one last time before moving on.
Customers are busy. They forget. They lose emails. A quick follow up call or text can turn a maybe into a yes.
If you’re not following up, you’re leaving jobs on the table.
2. They Show Up on Google in More Than One Way
If your only Google traffic comes from your homepage, you’re missing a lot of opportunities.
Smart contractors are showing up in multiple places:
- The Google Map Pack
- Organic results for specific services like “concrete patio repair”
- Blog posts that answer local homeowner questions
- Service pages for different towns and neighborhoods
You need more than one door into your business. A blog post like Why Cutting Your Own Tree in Pocatello Might Be a Mistake shows how writing local, helpful content can attract the right kind of attention. Even though it’s a tree service example, the same approach works for concrete.
3. They Turn One Job Into Three
Some of your competitors are experts at turning every job into new business.
They put up job signs. They ask for a review before the truck pulls away. They knock on a few doors nearby to let people know they’re working in the area.
They also take before and after photos and post them online. That gives them content for their website and social media.
If you’re doing great work and then just leaving, you’re letting your jobs go cold. Want to dig deeper into this strategy? Take a look at The Secret To Getting More Concrete Jobs.
4. They’re Getting Leads, Not Just Waiting for Them
Getting leads is not the same as waiting around for referrals.
Your best competitors are running Google Ads. They’re testing Facebook campaigns. They’ve got tracking numbers on their website. They might even be buying leads from marketplaces just to stay busy.
If you’re relying on referrals or hoping someone stumbles across your site, you’re already behind.
We help concrete contractors build systems that bring in real leads. To learn more about how we work, visit our About page or read through helpful posts on our Blog.
5. They Ask for Reviews and Actually Get Them
Online reviews make a big difference. You already know that.
But what are you doing to earn them?
Your competitors are sending review requests as soon as a job is done. Some offer small thank you gifts or discounts on future work. Others use automated tools to make the process easy for customers.
More reviews help with search rankings. They also build trust. If you have 5 reviews and your competitor has 65, customers will click on their site instead of yours.
Make it part of your process. Every job should end with a review request.
6. They Take All Kinds of Jobs
Some contractors only want driveways. Others say no to small repair jobs.
Your smartest competitors are staying open.
They take residential and commercial work. They do both installs and repairs. They offer decorative finishes or ADA compliant ramps. They build their service mix to handle slow seasons.
This doesn’t mean saying yes to every job. It means staying flexible. A customer you help today might refer you to someone with a much bigger job tomorrow.
7. They Have a Clean, Professional Website
Your competitor’s website loads fast. It looks great on mobile. It’s easy to read and easy to use.
And it makes people trust them.
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy. But it should be clean, modern, and built to convert. That means clear calls to action, customer reviews, photos of past work, and fast load times.
If your site hasn’t been updated in years, it might be costing you jobs without you realizing it. A small upgrade can go a long way.
Need help figuring out what to improve? That’s exactly what we do at Harpley House.
8. They Stay Ahead of Local Rules and Permits
More cities are starting to enforce permitting rules for concrete jobs. Sidewalks, driveways, and curb work often require approval.
Contractors who know the rules stand out. Even if you don’t handle permits directly, you can help your customers understand the process.
This shows that you’re professional. It also builds trust.
Check out What Pueblo Homeowners Should Know About Tree Removal Permits. It’s about tree work, but the idea is the same. When you become a helpful source of information, people remember you.
Ready to Get Ahead?
Most contractors are not doing everything on this list. That’s your opportunity.
Pick two or three strategies and commit to them this month. You might be surprised how quickly you notice a difference.
And if you want help with any of this, websites, ads, leads, or local SEO, we’re ready when you are.
Visit our About page to see who we are. Or head over to our blog for more tips and strategies.
Let your competitors stay average. You’re here to grow.