Builders:10 Pro Tips to Smash Referrals

When over half your enquiries come from referrals your profits skyrocket – our research shows it.

But asking for referrals can feel awkward. When do you ask? How do you ask? What if they say no? Instead, use these 10 pro tips to avoid rejection & make referrals easy.

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Referral Pro Tip 1 – Ask Clients What Project “Success” Looks Like to Them

For most builders, a successful project means on time, on budget, built to quality.

For clients, it’s often more emotional:

• “Having it finished by Christmas so we can host the family lunch.”
• “Getting it done without the stress.”

When you understand their definition of success, you can tailor communication and deliver a better client experience.

At handover, remind them of that outcome — it’s the perfect moment to ask for a testimonial or referral.

Referral Pro Tip 2 – Eliminate Referral-Killing Surprises

You can’t eliminate every variation, but minimising surprises is the fastest way to improve client satisfaction.

Budget blowouts, time delays, or quality issues all destroy trust — and future referrals.

Try this:

• Reduce time delays/variations by using project software with a Gantt chart to manage timelines and overlaps.
• Avoid budget variations by sharing accurate, informed and proven likely costs with clients at the start. A client who feels misled on budget will never refer you to their friends. Instead, build budget transparency from day one using a ProCalc free trial here.
• Don’t under-deliver on the construction quality. If you’ve nailed the budget and timelines using the approach above, there’s no need to cut corners. You can also source suppliers/contractors from a procurement platform like BuiltGrid.
  

Referral Pro Tip 3 – Build Trust Early

Clients won’t refer a builder they don’t trust.

So start building trust before you even meet them using technology and work practices that position you as their preferred builder.

See how at Are You A Trusted Expert or “Just Another Builder”

Referral Pro Tip 4 — Ask for Referrals the Easy Way

Asking clients for a referral/testimonial can often feel awkward – what if they say no?

Instead, simply ask for a referral/testimonial immediately after the client has paid you a compliment.

When they’ve paid you a compliment, you know they’re happy and you’re asking in context so it doesn’t feel awkward.

The conversation might go like this:

Client: “We love our new kitchen. It’s both stylish and functional”

Builders response: Thanks! I know our cabinet makers put in a great effort to make it all work so well.

You sound really happy with it. Would you be comfortable providing a testimonial for our website?

You’re asking in context, and they’ve already shown they’re happy — no awkwardness, just natural appreciation.

Referral Pro Tip 5 –  Check Their Referral Profile Online

Not all clients are equal.

Some are active online, love sharing experiences, and can be great advocates. Others rarely post — or worse, complain frequently.

Before taking on a client, do a background check:

• Review their social media tone.
• Avoid “serial complainers.”

You can do research this yourself or get an instant client background check (searching 60+ online sources) included in a free ProCalc trial.

Referral Pro Tip 6 – Host a Housewarming Party

Host with champagne and nibblies, allowing the client to invite friends.

More importantly, you invite past clients, prospects and your architects clients.

Then you have a house full of people experiencing your work. Prospects speak to past/current clients making you the star of the show.

This is the strongest social proof a prospect can get about a prospective builder.

It’s massively powerful for growing margins, costing a few thousand dollars per party.

Referral Pro Tip 7 — Stay Top of Mind with Past Clients

If you use a CRM, create a “past clients” list and keep them updated with new projects and wins.

The same applies to social media — keep posting recent builds, client stories, and finished homes.

When you stay visible, you stay referable.

Referral Pro Tip 8 – Send Past Clients a Birthday Card

It might sound old-school, but a physical birthday card cuts through the digital noise.

It’s personal, memorable, and shows genuine care — something clients don’t forget when recommending you.

It’s a more emotional touch point for them – via a different medium.

Referral Pro Tip 9 — Do a Post-Handover Maintenance Check-In

Three months after handover, check in to make sure everything’s perfect.

Once you’ve resolved any minor issues, simply ask:

“Do you know anyone thinking about building soon?”

Publish your “3-month follow-up process” on your website or socials to build public trust and show your professionalism.

Referral Pro Tip 10 – Attract Enquiries from Architects/Designers You Prefer

Architects and designers need accurate build estimates early — otherwise they’re designing blind and risk wasting time and money.

But some builders, when costing concepts, feel like they’re treated as quote fodder.

Flip the script. Book a free ProCalc trial to create accurate preliminary estimates fast, build stronger relationships, and supply them to architects who are the right fit for your business.

Learn more at How to Win More Custom Design Jobs – Easily

Or, Book your free ProCalc trial to see how it works.

Final Thought

Referrals aren’t random — they’re earned through consistency, trust, and great client experiences.

Use these 10 tips to create happy clients who proudly tell others about you.

And if you want to eliminate cost surprises and build trust from the very first conversation, book a ProCalc free trial today.

Builders, Get Your Pricing Right Every-time – No More Under-Quoting

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• Want more tips like these? Checkout the Webinar: Work Smarter, Not Harder