How to Get Better Construction Marketing Results (for Less Than the Cost of a Full-Time Employee)
If you’re a construction business owner looking to grow, you know marketing is essential. But hiring a full-time, in-house marketing team? That’s a massive expense—one that might not even bring the results you need.
Many construction companies make the mistake of hiring W2 marketing employees, only to find themselves stuck paying high salaries, benefits, and overhead costs… all while struggling to get real leads.
Worse yet, they often end up with a team that doesn’t truly understand construction or how to market it effectively.
On the flip side, a lot of “marketing agencies” don’t help much either. They offer one-off solutions, use generic templates, and don’t take the time to build a real system that brings in leads consistently.
So what’s the answer?
At H&A Marketing, we do things differently. We offer a full-service, done-for-you marketing system—without the headache of hiring an in-house team or dealing with underperforming agencies.
In this article, we’ll break down why working with us on a retainer is the smarter, more cost-effective choice compared to hiring a full-time W2 marketing team.
Let’s dive in.
The Problem with Hiring a Full W2 Marketing Team
Hiring an in-house marketing team might seem like the best way to have full control over your marketing efforts. But when you break down the costs and the reality of managing a W2 team, the numbers just don’t add up—especially for construction companies.
Let’s take a closer look at what it really costs to build and maintain an in-house marketing team:
The True Cost of a Full-Time Marketing Team
A single marketing hire won’t be enough to cover all aspects of digital marketing effectively.
To truly compete online, you need (at the very least):
A Marketing Director ($100K+ per year) – to set strategy and oversee campaigns.
A Website Designer & Developer ($100K+ per year) – to build and maintain a high-converting site.
A Copywriter ($50K+ per year) – to create engaging website content, ads, and blog posts.
A SEO Specialist ($70K+ per year) – to improve your rankings and drive organic leads.
A Social Media Manager ($55K+ per year) – to manage posts and engagement.
A PPC/Ads Manager ($70K+ per year) – to optimize and manage paid ad campaigns.
A Graphic Designer ($60K+ per year) – to create high-quality visuals for marketing.
That’s well over $500K per year in salaries alone. And that doesn’t include taxes, benefits, software subscriptions, training, and ongoing education to keep up with the latest digital marketing trends.
Even if you hire just one marketing employee, they won’t have the skills to cover all these areas. You’d still need to outsource key parts of your marketing, which leads to even more costs and management headaches.
The Reality of Hiring W2 Employees
Beyond the financial burden, hiring full-time employees comes with other challenges:
Lack of Specialization – A single marketing hire will be a generalist, not an expert in all areas. You’ll still need to outsource critical tasks like web design, SEO, and ads management.
Turnover & Training – Employees leave. When they do, you’re stuck back at square one, recruiting, hiring, and training someone new.
Payroll & Overhead Costs – On top of salaries, you’re paying for benefits, payroll taxes, office space, equipment, and software.
Slow Adaptation – Digital marketing evolves constantly. A small in-house team may struggle to stay on top of industry changes, leading to outdated strategies.
No Guaranteed ROI – Even after investing in a full team, there’s no guarantee they’ll generate enough leads to justify the cost.
For most construction businesses, hiring a full W2 marketing team is simply not a smart financial decision. It’s expensive, difficult to manage, and often doesn’t deliver the results you need.
But if hiring a full-time team isn’t the answer, what about hiring a traditional marketing agency? Unfortunately, that’s where many construction companies run into their next frustration…
The Problem with Most Marketing Agencies
If hiring a full W2 marketing team is too expensive and inefficient, then the next logical step might seem to be hiring a marketing agency. But here’s the problem—most marketing agencies don’t actually solve the core issues construction companies face.
Many contractors come to us frustrated after working with traditional marketing companies. They spend thousands of dollars only to see little to no return. Why? Because these agencies often take a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t work for the construction industry.
Common Frustrations with Typical Marketing Agencies
One-Off Solutions Instead of a Real Strategy
Most agencies offer quick fixes: a new website, a few social media posts, or a Google Ads campaign. But these aren’t real marketing systems. A great website won’t bring leads if no one visits it. Google Ads won’t work if your brand looks untrustworthy. Everything needs to work together—yet most agencies don’t take a holistic approach.They Don’t Understand Construction
The construction industry isn’t like e-commerce or local retail. Your clients aren’t impulse buyers. They don’t make purchasing decisions in seconds—they do research, compare companies, and look for credibility. Most agencies don’t understand these nuances. They use marketing tactics designed for other industries, and when they don’t work, they blame the contractor instead of fixing their approach.Generic Templates & Cookie-Cutter Designs
You’ve probably seen them: websites that all look the same, social media posts that feel robotic, and branding that doesn’t stand out. Many agencies reuse the same templates across multiple clients, giving you a generic online presence that fails to make an impact. Your construction business is unique—your marketing should be, too.No Long-Term Accountability
Traditional agencies work on a project-by-project basis. They build your website and disappear. They launch a few ad campaigns and move on. But marketing isn’t a one-and-done job—it requires constant optimization and improvement. If your marketing isn’t monitored and refined over time, you’re just throwing money away.They Focus on Vanity Metrics, Not Leads
Many agencies love to show off flashy reports with high website traffic or thousands of social media followers. But none of that matters if it doesn’t turn into actual paying clients. You don’t need more “likes”—you need high-quality leads that turn into real projects.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a marketing company that overpromised and underdelivered, you’re not alone. Many contractors come to us after wasting tens of thousands of dollars on agencies that didn’t understand their needs.
The reality is that most marketing agencies are not built for construction businesses. They don’t create strategies that align with the way contractors sell, how clients make decisions, or what actually drives leads in this industry.
That’s why we do things differently at H&A Marketing. Instead of giving you a quick fix, we build a complete, done-for-you marketing system—one designed specifically for the construction industry.
In the next section, we’ll break down exactly why our approach works—and why it’s the smarter choice compared to hiring a W2 team or a traditional agency.
Why You Should Go With H&A Marketing Instead
By now, you can see why hiring a full W2 marketing team isn’t cost-effective and why most traditional marketing agencies fail construction businesses. That’s where H&A Marketing comes in.
We don’t just offer quick fixes—we build a complete marketing system that drives real leads, increases your revenue, and grows your business long-term. And we do it for a fraction of what it would cost to hire an in-house team.
Here’s Why Contractors Choose Us Over Other Options:
1. We’re Construction Marketing Experts
Most agencies work with restaurants, e-commerce brands, or local shops. But marketing for a construction business is completely different.
We specialize in working with contractors, home builders, landscapers, and other construction businesses. We understand your industry, how your clients think, and what actually drives leads.
We know that:
Your clients do research before making a decision.
Trust and credibility are critical for winning bids.
Your marketing must showcase your expertise, not just “look nice.”
Everything we do is built specifically for construction companies—no cookie-cutter solutions, no guesswork, just proven strategies that work.
2. We Build a Complete, Long-Term System (Not a Band-Aid Fix)
A new website won’t generate leads if no one visits it. Running ads won’t work if your brand doesn’t look trustworthy. Posting on social media won’t matter if it doesn’t drive business.
That’s why we don’t just do one thing—we create a fully integrated marketing system that works together to attract and convert high-quality leads.
Our approach ensures that every part of your marketing is aligned, so you’re not just spending money—you’re getting real results.
3. We Cost Less Than Hiring In-House
Let’s break down the numbers again.
Hiring a full in-house team? $500K+ per year.
Hiring an agency that doesn’t deliver? $50K–$100K wasted.
Working with H&A Marketing? $3.5K–$7.5K per month (a fraction of the cost).
For less than the cost of hiring one full-time marketing employee, you get:
A high-performing website
Professional branding & logo design
SEO that ranks you on Google
Google Ads & PPC campaigns
Social media management
High-quality photography & videography
Copywriting that converts leads
Ongoing optimization & performance tracking
We give you the expertise of an entire marketing team without the massive payroll, benefits, and overhead costs.
4. We Handle Everything (So You Can Focus on Running Your Business)
Most contractors don’t have the time (or desire) to deal with marketing. And you shouldn’t have to.
With H&A Marketing, you don’t need to waste time trying to figure out SEO, Google Ads, or social media. We handle it all for you.
Instead of managing multiple employees or freelancers, you get one trusted partner who takes care of everything—so you can focus on running your projects, managing your crews, and growing your business.
5. We’re Performance-Driven & Results-Focused
We don’t just “do marketing” for the sake of it. We build strategies that drive real revenue growth.
Unlike most agencies, we don’t lock you into long-term contracts with no results. In fact, after three months, we transition to a performance-based model—meaning we’re just as invested in your success as you are.
We track everything, optimize constantly, and refine your marketing over time to increase your leads while lowering your cost per lead.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you’re saving when you work with H&A:
Bottom Line: You Need a Marketing System, Not Just a Service
If you’re serious about growing your construction business, you need more than just a website or a few ads. You need a real marketing system that brings in leads consistently, establishes trust, and positions you as the go-to company in your market.
That’s exactly what we deliver at H&A Marketing.
In the next section, we’ll break down exactly how our Growth Plan works—so you can see how we take you from zero to fully optimized lead generation.
HOW OUR GROWTH PLAN WORKS
At H&A Marketing, we don’t believe in random marketing efforts. We believe in building a strong foundation, launching strategic campaigns, and scaling what works—so your construction business can generate consistent, high-quality leads.
That’s why we’ve designed a three-phase Growth Plan that takes you from invisible online to a lead-generating machine.
PHASE 1: BUILD
Investment: $8.5K–$35K
Timeline: 4–8 weeks
Your Strong Foundation for Lead Generation
Most construction businesses struggle to generate leads because they lack a professional, trustworthy online presence.
Before you start spending money on ads, SEO, or social media, you need to make sure that when potential clients find you online, they’re impressed.
In Phase 1, we build a high-converting brand presence that positions you as a top-tier construction company and sets the stage for long-term marketing success.
What’s Included in Phase 1?
Custom Website Design – A lead-generating website built for conversion, speed, and mobile optimization.
Branding & Logo Design – A strong, professional brand identity that makes your business memorable.
Professional Photo & Video – High-quality visuals of your projects to showcase your work.
Website Copywriting – Clear, compelling content designed to connect with your ideal customers.
Why This Matters
If your website and branding don’t instantly communicate trust and professionalism, potential clients will move on to a competitor. We make sure your business looks the part and is positioned to convert leads from day one.
PHASE 2: LAUNCH
Investment: $3.5K–$7.5K per month (excluding ad spend)
Timeline: Ongoing
Get in Front of the Right Clients
A great website won’t do much if no one sees it. Once your foundation is built, we drive traffic and generate leads using proven digital marketing strategies.
Most construction companies waste money on marketing that isn’t tracked or optimized. Our approach ensures every dollar spent is used effectively to bring in qualified leads.
What’s Included in Phase 2?
Google Ads & PPC Campaigns – Targeted ads that put you at the top of search results when potential clients are looking for your services.
SEO Optimization – Search engine strategies that improve your rankings and bring in organic leads.
Social Media Management – Engaging content to build trust and keep your business visible online.
Landing Page & Conversion Optimization – Ensuring that visitors turn into leads, not just traffic.
Why This Matters
Most marketing agencies launch ad campaigns but don’t actively manage or refine them. We continuously optimize for performance, ensuring you’re not just spending money—you’re getting results.
PHASE 3: SCALE
Investment: $3.5K–$7.5K per month (excluding ad spend)
Timeline: Ongoing
Your Long-Term Growth and Lead Optimization
Marketing is not a one-time effort. If you stop, your leads stop. In Phase 3, we focus on continuous improvement, tracking results, and scaling what works.
This phase ensures your SEO rankings improve, ad performance gets better, and your lead flow increases over time. We don’t just manage your marketing—we refine and grow it month after month.
What’s Included in Phase 3?
Ongoing SEO & Content Marketing – Fresh content and technical SEO adjustments to keep rankings high.
Google Ads & Social Ad Optimization – Scaling campaigns and reducing cost per lead over time.
Performance Tracking & Reporting – Monthly reports that show exactly what’s working and where leads are coming from.
Full-Service Marketing Management – Social media, SEO, content creation, website updates, graphic design projects, and more.
Why This Matters
After three months, we transition to a performance-based model, meaning we’re as motivated as you are to generate leads and grow your business. When you succeed, we succeed.
Our Growth Plan isn’t just about getting your name out there—it’s about building a sustainable system that drives leads, wins projects, and helps you scale your construction business the right way.
In the next section, we’ll show you how one of our clients, Joas with American Builders, doubled his revenue in just a few months using this exact system.
REAL RESULTS—HOW AMERICAN BUILDERS DOUBLED THEIR REVENUE
One of the best ways to see the impact of our Growth Plan is through real success stories. Let’s talk about Joas with American Builders—a contractor who trusted us when no other agency felt right.
Like many construction business owners, Joas knew he needed marketing but didn’t know where to start. He had tried different strategies in the past—some DIY efforts, some work with other agencies—but nothing delivered consistent, high-quality leads.
He was frustrated. He was spending money on marketing, but it wasn’t turning into actual projects.
That’s when he reached out to H&A Marketing.
The Challenges Joas Faced Before Working With Us
No website at all.
No clear brand identity, making it hard to stand out from competitors.
Struggles with Google rankings, meaning potential clients weren’t finding him online.
Wasted ad spend with little return on investment.
A marketing strategy that felt scattered, with no real system in place.
He needed more than just a new website. He needed a real marketing system that would drive leads and help him grow his business.
How We Transformed American Builders’ Marketing
We took Joas through our three-phase Growth Plan to build a foundation, attract high-quality leads, and scale his business.
Phase 1: Build – We created a high-converting website, designed a professional brand identity, and produced high-quality photo and video content to showcase his work.
Phase 2: Launch – We implemented SEO strategies to improve Google rankings, launched targeted Google Ads, and optimized his website for conversions.
Phase 3: Scale – We continuously refined his marketing efforts, optimized his ad spend, and created new content to maintain steady growth.
The Results? A Business Transformation.
DOUBLED his revenue in just a few months of working with us.
Ranked higher on Google, leading to a surge in organic leads.
Improved website conversion rates, turning more visitors into paying clients.
More consistent leads, eliminating slow months and revenue uncertainty.
And the best part? We’re just getting started.
This is what happens when you have a real marketing system in place. No guesswork. No wasted money. Just a proven strategy designed for contractors who want to grow.
American Builders isn’t the only company we’ve helped.
We’ve done this for countless other construction businesses—and we can do it for you, too.
In the next section, we’ll answer every possible question you might have about working with us on retainer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
We know hiring a marketing agency on retainer is a big decision, and you probably have a lot of questions. Below, we’ve answered the most common concerns contractors have before working with us.
General Questions
Why should I work with H&A Marketing instead of hiring an in-house team?
Hiring a full W2 marketing team is expensive—often costing over $500K per year in salaries alone. Even if you hire just one person, they won’t have the skills to cover everything from web design to SEO to paid ads. We give you an entire team of specialists for a fraction of the cost.
Do you outsource work overseas?
No. Absolutely not. At H&A Marketing, we believe in hiring American talent because clear communication, industry expertise, and time zone alignment matter. Our team operates in U.S. time zones, so you get fast, responsive service—no frustrating delays or miscommunications. We also specialize in American construction marketing, meaning we understand the industry, regulations, and buyer behavior in ways overseas teams simply can’t. Unlike agencies that cut costs by outsourcing, we prioritize quality, consistency, and real results—because your business deserves the best.
How is working with H&A different from working with other marketing agencies?
Most agencies don’t understand construction. They use generic templates, offer one-off solutions, and focus on vanity metrics instead of real leads. We specialize in construction marketing and build complete marketing systems that actually generate revenue.
Do you require long-term contracts?
No. We don’t believe in locking you into a contract with no results. We work on a month-to-month basis after the initial website and branding build. And after three months, we transition to a performance-based model—meaning we’re just as invested in your success as you are.
How soon can I expect results?
It depends on your starting point. Some clients, like Joas with American Builders, doubled their revenue within months. Others see steady growth over six to twelve months. Our approach is built for long-term success, not quick, unsustainable spikes.
What if I’ve already worked with a marketing agency and didn’t get results?
That’s exactly why we exist. Many of our clients come to us after wasting tens of thousands of dollars on agencies that didn’t understand construction. We take a data-driven approach and constantly optimize, so your marketing actually works.
Website & Branding
What if I already have a website?
If your website is outdated, doesn’t convert well, or isn’t optimized for SEO, it’s costing you leads. We’ll assess your current site and either improve it or build a high-converting site from scratch.
Will my website be unique to my business?
Absolutely. We never use templates. Every website we create is fully customized to showcase your brand, highlight your work, and convert visitors into leads.
Do you handle logo and branding design?
Yes! We help you create a professional, memorable brand identity—including a logo, color scheme, and visual style that sets you apart.
SEO & Google Ads
How does SEO help my business?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your business rank higher on Google so potential clients can find you. Instead of relying only on paid ads, SEO ensures you get long-term, free traffic from search engines.
How long does it take to see SEO results?
SEO is a long-term strategy. Most clients start seeing noticeable improvements in 3–6 months, with even better results over time.
What if I want faster results?
That’s where Google Ads (PPC) comes in. While SEO takes time, Google Ads can start generating leads immediately. We run targeted ad campaigns that put your business in front of high-quality leads right away.
I’ve tried Google Ads before and it didn’t work. What makes you different?
Most businesses waste money on Google Ads because they don’t optimize their campaigns. We actively manage and refine every campaign, ensuring your budget is spent effectively. Many of our clients see lower costs per lead and higher conversions within just a few months.
Social Media & Content Marketing
Do I really need social media for my construction business?
Yes—but not in the way most people think. You don’t need to post every day, but an active and professional social media presence builds trust and credibility. Potential clients will check your social media before reaching out. If they see an empty or outdated page, they might assume you’re not a legitimate company.
What kind of content do you create?
We create engaging, industry-specific content that actually resonates with your audience. This includes:
Project showcases
Behind-the-scenes videos
Before-and-after transformations
Client testimonials
Informational posts that establish you as an expert
Do I have to create content myself?
No! We handle everything—from strategy and content creation to posting and engagement.
Pricing & ROI
How much does all of this cost?
Phase 1: Build (Website, branding, photos, and video) – $8.5K–$35K (one-time investment)
Phase 2 & 3: Launch & Scale (SEO, ads, social media, and ongoing marketing) – $3.5K–$7.5K per month (excluding ad spend)
How do I know if this is worth the investment?
Our clients see real, measurable growth. Whether it’s doubling revenue like Joas with American Builders or significantly increasing lead flow, our strategies are designed for ROI, not just activity.
What happens if I stop marketing after a few months?
If you stop marketing, your leads stop. Construction marketing is a long-term game. Consistency is key to building a strong reputation and keeping leads coming in.
What makes your pricing better than hiring in-house?
For less than the cost of hiring one full-time marketing employee, you get an entire team of specialists—web designers, SEO experts, copywriters, ad managers, and social media strategists. You’re getting top-tier marketing without the overhead of payroll, benefits, and training.
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk.
If you didn’t see your question here, reach out. We’re happy to discuss your specific needs and show you exactly how we can help your construction business grow.
If You’re Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level, Here’s What to Do Next:
Schedule a Free Strategy Call
Let’s discuss your business, your goals, and where your marketing is falling short. We’ll show you exactly how our Growth Plan can help. Contact us here.Get a Custom Marketing Plan
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. We’ll create a tailored strategy designed specifically for your business and market.Let Us Handle Everything While You Focus on Running Your Business
No more wasted money. No more guesswork. Just a proven marketing system designed to get real results.
Your competitors are investing in their marketing. Are you?
The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see the results. Let’s build something great together.
