How Contractors Can Automate Referrals and Generate More Business

Most contractors thrive on word-of-mouth referrals — but let’s be honest, asking for referrals doesn’t always happen. Between managing crews, finishing projects, and running your business, it’s easy to forget. And every time you forget, you miss out on potential new jobs.

The solution? Automating your referral requests.

In this post, I’ll show you how to set up a simple referral automation inside Go High Level (Trade Growth CRM) so you never leave referrals to chance again.

Why Referrals Matter

High trust factor – People referred by friends and family are more likely to choose you.
Higher close rates – Referred leads already come with built-in trust and confidence.
Low cost – You don’t have to pay extra for ad campaigns to win these jobs.

When referrals are automated, you turn every happy customer into a repeat marketing channel.

Step 1: Set the Trigger

Just like with review requests, your referral workflow begins when a project is marked “Completed” in your pipeline.

Move the customer to “Project Complete.”
Add a Project Complete tag to their record.
This tag will automatically kick off the referral campaign.

Step 2: Add a Waiting Period

Give your customer time to enjoy their finished project. For larger projects (like patios, decks, or outdoor living spaces), wait about two weeks before asking.

This ensures they’ve had time to settle in and truly appreciate the results before you reach out.

Step 3: Send Your Referral Request

The automation will send both an SMS and email, such as:

SMS Example:

“Hey [First Name], we hope you’re enjoying your new [Type of Project]! We loved working with you. Do you know anyone else who could use our help? As a thank-you, we’ll send you a $100 gift card for every referral that books with us.”

Email Example:

Subject: Special Thank You Inside

Body: “We hope you’re enjoying your new [Project]. Great people know great people, and we’d love to work with your friends or family. As a token of our appreciation, we’ll send you a reward for every referral that turns into a project.”

Step 4: Build Long-Term Touchpoints

For even better results, repeat the referral request every 90 days with a slightly different message. This keeps past customers engaged and ensures they think of you when a neighbor, friend, or family member asks about their project.

Why Automating Referrals Works

No missed opportunities – The system asks every time.
Consistent follow-up – Keeps your name top-of-mind with past clients.
Scalable growth – Turn your customer base into a steady lead source.

Plug-and-Play Templates for Contractors

You don’t have to build this from scratch. Inside the Wealthy Contractor community, you’ll get ready-to-use templates for:

Referral request campaigns
Review request automations
Reactivation campaigns
Appointment & quote follow-ups
Lead nurturing sequences

All designed for Go High Level (Trade Growth) and ready to import into your account instantly.

Final Thoughts

Asking for referrals doesn’t have to be awkward — or forgotten. With automation, every completed project becomes a chance to win the next one.

👉 Want this referral system set up in your business?

Join the Wealthy Contractor community to get the plug-and-play template.
Or book a call with our team, and we’ll build and manage the system for you.

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