When it comes to running a general contractor business, building strong relationships with clients is as important as delivering quality work.
One of the best ways to do this is by standing out during special occasions like holidays, anniversaries, or even your clients' birthdays.
You might be thinking, “great, another thing to add to my to-do list!”
You can actually use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to automate this in your business and make this process not only efficient but also very personal.
In this article we’ll provide a few tips, examples, and share how to use AI to leave a lasting impression and to earn more business.
Smart Contractors Keep Things Personal
At the end of the day, business is about relationships. Creating them, building them, and maintaining them. Which is why you should keep things personal.
Personalized communication shows clients that you genuinely care, and AI makes it easier than ever to craft messages that leave a lasting impression. These thoughtful, specific messages can be tailored to various occasions, helping you stand out in a crowded market.
Here’s how you can take personalized communication to the next level:
Anniversary Messages
Celebrate the anniversary of a completed project with a customized message. For example:
“Happy one-year anniversary of your bathroom remodel, Jane! We hope you’re still loving the space and that it’s made life more enjoyable. Let us know if you need anything—we’re always here for you!”
Project Updates with a Personal Touch
During a project, send updates with a friendly tone:
“Hi Mark, we’re excited to share that the custom cabinets for your kitchen have arrived, and installation will begin tomorrow! Let us know if there’s anything you’d like to discuss in the meantime.”
Special Event Recognition
Acknowledge client milestones or achievements. For example, if a client recently welcomed a new baby or hosted a big family event in their renovated space, send a quick message:
“Congratulations on the new addition to your family, Emily! We’re thrilled that your remodeled living room is now part of such a special chapter in your life.”
Tailored Holiday Messages
Instead of generic holiday greetings, reference the project you worked on together:
“Happy Holidays, Greg! We hope your new outdoor patio is the perfect spot for holiday gatherings. Wishing you and your family a season filled with joy and warmth!”
Personalized Follow-Ups
After completing a project, send a follow-up message that feels genuine:
“Hi Anna, it’s been six months since we finished your new deck. We’d love to hear how you’ve been enjoying it! Feel free to reach out if there’s anything we can assist with.”
Pro Tip: Use your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system to store notes about each client, such as their preferences, family details, or hobbies. If you don’t have a CRM or don’t want to invest in one, you can start by using your iPhone or Google calendar and have it alert you.
When done well, personalized communication strengthens your client relationships and builds trust, turning one-time clients into lifelong friends and referral generating machines.
Offer Exclusive Deals or Gifts
Special occasions provide the perfect opportunity to show your clients how much you value their trust and partnership. By offering thoughtful gifts or exclusive deals, you not only express appreciation but also keep your business top of mind for future projects.
Here’s how to use this approach:
Tailored Gift Suggestions
Specific gifts, especially after a project is completed is a great way to leave a lasting impression and a perfect time to ask for a review! For example:
- For clients with recent landscaping projects: Send a gift card to a local garden center or home improvement store.
- For a client with a new patio: Gift a small outdoor décor item, such as string lights or a cozy throw blanket.
Automated Gift Giving
There are companies like To Your Success where you can either integrate with your CRM or set it up within To Your Success to send gifts to your clients.
If you don’t want to spend the extra cash for an automated gift giving service, you can always set up an alert in your CRM or Google Calendar to remind you to send your previous client a gift card.
Exclusive Service Upgrades
Offer a free or discounted service that complements their completed project:
- A driveway pressure wash for clients with newly installed concrete or stone features.
- A maintenance check-up for any major remodeling project, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
- A seasonal service, like gutter cleaning or deck sealing, for long-term value.
Personalized Discounts
Speaking of keeping things personal, how about you offer a personalized service discount! Here are a couple of examples:
“To celebrate the one-year anniversary of your home remodel, we’d like to offer you 15% off your next project. It’s our way of saying thank you for being a valued client!”
“Happy Holidays, Rebecca! As a token of our appreciation, enjoy $100 off any service booked before January 15th. Wishing you and your family a joyful season!”
Creative Seasonal Offers
Incorporate special occasions into your promotions:
- A “New Year, New Look” offer for clients considering additional remodeling work.
- “Spring Cleaning Bonus” deals on services like power washing or minor repairs.
Include AI-Enhanced Messaging
Use AI to ensure your messages strike the right tone—warm, genuine, and customer-focused. Tools like Grammarly or Jasper can refine your emails, while platforms like Canva can help design visually appealing email layouts.
Pro Tip: Schedule these offers and emails with tools like Mailchimp, and include personalized subject lines to increase open rates. AI can analyze which subject lines and email formats perform best, helping you refine future campaigns.
By using exclusive deals or gifts, you create memorable experiences for your clients that not only show gratitude but also encourage long-term loyalty and referrals.
How To Automate Your Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for celebrating special occasions publicly. It not only strengthens your relationship with current clients but also showcases your customer-centric approach to potential clients. AI-driven tools like Canva, Mailchimp, and ChatGPT can simplify the process, so you have time to get and complete more projects.
Here are some creative ways to stand out on social media:
Celebrate Client Milestones
Post a “Before and After” photo of a completed project on the client’s anniversary, tagging them with a heartfelt message. For example:
“One year ago, we completed this stunning kitchen renovation for the Smith family. It’s been incredible to see how they’ve made it their own. Here’s to many more years of happy memories in your beautiful space!”
Here’s an example on Facebook:
Holiday Greetings with a Personal Touch
Share personalized holiday posts that acknowledge your clients. A well-designed post using Canva with a heartfelt message like:
“Wishing all our amazing clients a wonderful holiday season! Thank you for trusting us to make your dream homes a reality. We’re grateful for each and every one of you.”
Client Spotlights
Similar to the above from a home remodeling company in San Antonio, Lifestyle Remodeling, they do a great job of highlighting completed projects while sharing a customer testimonial. Dedicate posts to highlight your clients and their unique projects. For instance, share a quick video or image slideshow of a project and include a testimonial from the client.
Engage with Stories
Use Instagram or Facebook Stories to share quick updates or reminders of client-focused occasions. For example, a poll asking, “What’s your favorite part of your home renovation?” with a brief video of your recent work.
Collaborate with Clients for Shared Posts
Encourage clients to tag your business when they post about their remodeled spaces. Repost their content and add a personal note to further engage with their network.
The Power of User-Generated Content (UGC) For General Contractors
User-generated content is one of the most effective ways to establish trust and authenticity in your brand. When real clients share their before-and-after photos or post about their satisfaction with your work, it provides organic, relatable marketing that feels more genuine than paid ads. UGC acts as modern word-of-mouth marketing, helping potential customers visualize the quality of your work while reinforcing your credibility.
Pro Tip: Use AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm creative captions or hashtags, and platforms like Later to analyze audience engagement data. This helps you determine the best time to post for maximum visibility and keeps your messaging fresh and appealing. ChatGPT can even help you write a more polished story if you just give it some notes about your project.
Additionally, consider creating a branded hashtag and encouraging clients to use it when posting their remodeling experiences. This not only makes it easier for you to find and share their content but also builds a searchable library of testimonials that future clients can explore.
By using these techniques, you’ll not only stand out to your clients but also attract a wider audience that values a contractor who truly cares.
Send Handwritten Notes (Without Writing Them Yourself)
A handwritten note can feel incredibly personal, but you don’t need to spend hours writing them by hand. AI-powered services like Handwrytten can create realistic, handwritten cards based on your input.
Examples of what to include:
- “Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! We’re grateful to have worked with you this year.”
- “Congrats on one year in your beautifully remodeled home! Here’s to many more memories.”
Share Personalized Home Care Tips
On anniversaries or special dates, send a tailored email with useful home maintenance tips. AI tools can generate these based on the client’s specific project.
For example:
- If you renovated their kitchen: “It’s been a year since your kitchen remodel. Here are a few tips to keep your countertops looking brand new.”
- For a deck project: “With spring around the corner, here’s how to prep your deck for outdoor gatherings.”
Pro Tip: Use email automation software like Mailchimp or Getresponse to deliver these messages consistently.
How General Contractors Can Stand Out and Stay Top Of Mind
Staying organized is key to making these gestures memorable. Use AI-powered CRM tools to:
- Track important dates.
- Automate reminders for follow-ups.
- Analyze the effectiveness of your gestures (e.g., open rates for emails, client feedback).
This ensures no special occasion is missed and your efforts consistently impress.
Standing out to your clients isn’t just about completing projects on time; it’s about showing that you care even after the work is done. By using AI to personalize, automate, and enhance your client interactions, you can create a lasting bond that sets you apart from competitors.
