How Customers Search for Contractors in 2025

Let’s be honest—the process seemed much different today if you were looking for a contractor twenty or thirty years ago.  You’d pull out the Yellow Pages, maybe flip through the classifieds in the back of the local paper, or ask around the neighborhood to see who had a guy they trusted.  Contractors spent money on print ads, handed out fridge magnets, and maybe even put flyers under windshield wipers.

But now?  That world’s long gone.  We’re in a digital-first era, and for most customers, searching for a contractor starts—and often ends—online.

Today’s homeowners aren’t browsing mailers or saving business cards.  They’re searching with a phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.  They’re typing in specific needs like “AC repair near me” or “licensed plumber for a slab leak.  ” They expect answers fast.  Not just names and phone numbers, either—they want to see reviews, photos, prices, and whether or not a business even has availability this week.

Modern customers are used to instant and personalized information, and that carries over into how they hire for home services.  Convenience, visibility, and trustworthiness are all evaluated before they ever hit the “call” button.

Interestingly, this shift in behavior isn’t new—it’s just getting sharper.  Studies show that most consumers now research a service provider online before making contact.  That means a customer might already know who they’ll call before you even realize they’re in the market.

So the question isn’t whether people are searching for contractors online—it’s how they’re doing it, what they’re expecting to find, and whether or not you’re showing up in the right places at the right time.  Because if you’re not, someone else is.

The first and most apparent stop is Google.  But people aren’t just typing in “contractor near me” anymore.  They’re using detailed, specific searches that match exactly what they’re dealing with—things like “furnace clicking but no heat” or “how to fix cracked drywall after water damage.” In other words, they’re looking for answers before they’re looking for a company.

If your website—or your blog—can answer that question, guess whose name they remember when it’s time to call a pro?  Yours.

And here’s the kicker: most people aren’t scrolling past the first few results.  You’re practically invisible if you’re not on that first page, preferably in those top few spots.  That’s why local SEO matters so much more now than it did a few years ago.

Someone in Las Vegas types in “epoxy garage floor NV.” That’s not a broad search—it’s laser-focused.  And if your site is optimized for that keyword, your business shows up, as this one does: https://epoxygaragefloorlasvegas.com.  That kind of visibility brings in traffic, and traffic brings in phone calls.  Simple as that.

Google Business Profiles are another key piece.  A complete profile with photos, reviews, business hours, and a direct booking link doesn’t just help your rankings—it makes you look legit at a glance.  You’re already behind if you don’t have one—or if it’s half-filled with outdated info.

It’s not just Google, either.  People also use Yelp, Angi, and Facebook platforms for contractor searches.  They want proof—genuine customer reviews, before-and-after photos, and social signals that you’re active and responsive.  In some cases, they don’t even visit your website.  They’ll book directly from the directory or app if it feels trustworthy enough.

And here’s something that’s growing fast: voice search.  “Hey, Google, who installs tankless water heaters near me?” or “Siri, find me a local drywall repair service.” You won’t match those queries if your content isn’t written in natural, conversational language.  It’s not about jamming keywords into your site—it’s about answering questions the way people ask them.

Social media plays a part, too, especially for visual trades.  Contractors who consistently show off their work—landscaping, epoxy flooring, or interior remodeling—tend to stick in people’s minds.  You never know who’s watching.  Someone might see your post today and not call for six months, but when the time comes, they remember who impressed them.

Referrals haven’t gone away; they’ve just moved online.  Local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps, and community forums are where people ask for trusted pros.  If your name keeps coming up—and your online presence backs it up—you’re already ahead of the game.

And don’t overlook the basics.  If your website takes forever to load, looks broken on mobile, or makes people dig around to find your phone number, they’re gone.  No one’s going to work to hire you.  They’ll move on to someone who makes it easier.

The bottom line?  Being a great contractor isn’t enough anymore.  You have to be findable.  You have to show up in the exact places your customers are already looking.  And when they find you, your online presence needs to build trust in seconds—not minutes.

Because in 2025, it’s not just about being good at what you do—it’s about being found.