Referral Program for Custom Cabinet Jobs Not Bringing in the Leads I Expected

HammerTimeHero6

·18h·4 replies·5 participants

HammerTimeHero6⚒️ JourneymanOP18h

I've been running a referral program for my carpentry side gig, offering $100 off the next build for anyone who sends a paying customer my way on kitchen cabinets or built-ins. Been in the Carolinas for about 8 years now, mostly residential remodels, and I thought it'd help fill the schedule during the slow winter months, but so far only two referrals in three months and one was a no-show. We use simple Kreg pocket hole jigs for a lot of the face-frame work, so installs are quick, but word-of-mouth just ain't cutting it like I hoped. Frustrated as hell because lumber prices are up 20% and I'm barely breaking even on quotes. Anyone else dealing with this in custom woodwork? Maybe I need to sweeten the pot or advertise it better on local FB groups.

SawdustSavant17⚒️ Journeyman8h

man, referrals are hit or miss in this biz, had the same crap with my built-ins side hustle last winter and it left me scrambling on materials.

CoatCaptain⚒️ Journeyman18h

Haha, sounds like my referral for trim work - gave a buddy a free mantel install, he referred his cousin who wanted it for free too. Ended up doing it anyway just to shut 'em up.

PeakProspector3⚒️ Journeyman17h

Nah, tie it to the referral actually paying - like 10% of their job value as credit. Worked for me on a deck build last summer, got three solid leads from one happy client. Track it in a simple spreadsheet to avoid the moochers.

LiftLegend2⚒️ Journeyman17h

Same here, man. Referrals dried up after the holidays in my area too, had to fall back on door knocking for garage shelving gigs. Felt that frustration big time.