Next Job PlaybookSchedule's got holes? Here's how to fill it.
A free, plain-English playbook for contractors: how to find the next job, how to close it, and which tools help, sorted by trade.
Why the phone goes quiet
Seasons turn. Somebody down the road bids lower. The referrals that carried you last year slow down. None of that means you're bad at the work. It means the work needs finding, and that's a different job than the one you trained for.
Who's behind this
Next Job Playbook is run by LM Ventures LLC in Minneapolis. We work with public building permit data every day, so we spend a lot of time thinking about where the next job comes from. This site is what we'd tell a contractor friend, for free.
Find the job
Work your past customers
The people who already paid you are the easiest yes. Send a short note or postcard: what you did for them, what else you do, and that you're booking the next few weeks.
Mail and door-hangers near active jobs
When you're on a job, the neighbors are watching. Leave a door-hanger on the nearby houses with your name and what you're doing down the street. Mail, not cold calls.
Public permit records
Cities publish permits. A recent permit tells you who's investing in their house and what's already been done, which often points to the next job. Mail those homeowners a relevant offer.
Want this done for you? Exterior: Exterior Permits. HVAC: After the Permit.
Adjacent-trade partners
Roofers know gutter guys. HVAC techs know insulation crews. Set up a simple referral swap with one or two trades that walk into the same houses you do.
Close the job
Fast, specific estimates
Get the number in front of them while they still remember your truck. Spell out exactly what's included so it's easy to compare.
Follow up on a schedule
Most people don't say no, they just go quiet. Plan your follow-ups up front: a couple of days after, a week after, then a few weeks out.
Good / better / best
Give three options instead of one price. People like to choose, and it stops the conversation from being only about the lowest number.
Handling "we're getting other bids"
Good, say so. Tell them what to compare: scope, materials, warranty, who shows up. Don't trash the other guy. Just make yours easy to judge.
Tools that help
CRM and estimating
Software for tracking who you quoted, when to follow up, and sending clean estimates. Plenty of contractor-focused options at different sizes.
Mail, postcards and door-hangers
Print shops and online postcard services that print and mail for you. Look for ones that let you send small batches.
Permit data
Your city or county permit portal is free to search. Some services organize it by trade so you don't have to dig through it yourself.
Scheduling and invoicing
Tools for booking jobs, sending invoices and taking payment, so the paperwork doesn't eat your evenings.
Pick your trade
Exterior
Roofing, siding, windows, decks.
Go to Exterior Permits →
HVAC
Ducts, air quality, and insulation after the install.
Go to After the Permit →More trades coming
Plumbing, electrical and others are on the list. Check back.
Coming soonFAQ
Do you sell leads?
No. Next Job Playbook is a free guide. If you want permit data organized for your trade, the trade links point to separate services.
Is this free?
Yes. No account, no sign-up.
Are you a government agency?
No. We're independent and not affiliated with any city, county, permitting agency, manufacturer, or installer. Permit records we mention are public.