Building Relationships with Other Trades Who Send You Work

If you are in the construction or trades sector, chances are you are already getting work passed your way from other trades. It often happens informally, but with a bit of structure, these relationships can become a powerful and consistent source of new business.

Why Referral Networks Matter

Word-of-mouth is still one of the strongest drivers of work in the construction industry. When another trusted tradesperson recommends you, the customer already has confidence before you’ve even picked up the phone.

The difference between occasional referrals and a steady stream of work often comes down to how intentional you are about those relationships.

Identify Your Existing Network

Start by looking at who is already sending you work, even occasionally.

• Builders, electricians, plumbers, roofers, landscapers

• Suppliers or merchants who recommend trades

• Past customers who are in related industries

  
  

Make a list of names and note how often they refer you. You’ll usually find a handful of people who are already your strongest advocates.

Turn Informal Into Formal

You don’t need contracts or anything complicated. Formalising just means being more deliberate and consistent.

Have a quick conversation: Let them know you value the work they send and you would like to return the favour.

Agree expectations: What type of work are you both looking for? Domestic, commercial, specific job sizes?

Stay in touch: A quick call or message every few months keeps the relationship active.

Make It Easy to Refer You

If someone is going to recommend you, make sure they can do it confidently and easily.

• Have a professional website they can point people to

• Keep your Google reviews up to date

• Provide a simple description of what you do best (e.g. “We specialise in extensions and refurbishments in West Sussex”)

Return the Favour

Referral networks work best when they go both ways.

• Actively recommend your trusted contacts when customers ask

• Only refer people you trust. Your reputation is tied to theirs

• Let them know when you’ve passed work their way

Keep Track of Referrals

Most trades do not track this, but it is worth doing.

• Ask every new enquiry how they found you

• Keep a simple note of who referred who

• Identify your top referrers and nurture those relationships

You’ll quickly see which connections are worth investing more time in.

Stay Professional and Reliable

This might sound obvious, but it’s crucial. If someone refers you and you don’t turn up, communicate poorly, or do substandard work, that referral source will dry up fast.

On the flip side, doing a great job reflects well on the person who recommended you, and makes them more likely to send the next job your way.

Summary

Most trades already have the beginnings of a referral network. They just haven’t formalised it. By identifying your key contacts, communicating clearly, and making it easy to refer you, you can turn occasional recommendations into a steady pipeline of high-quality work.

Take Action

Write down 5–10 people who have referred work to you in the past year. Reach out to them this week - thank them, let them know you’re happy to return the favour, and start building a more structured relationship.

Found This Useful?

I hope you’ve found this building relationships with other trades who send you work helpful. If you would like to discuss how to build a stronger referral network for your business, please email me. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. If you would like to talk about your construction company's digital marketing strategy, feel free to reach out as well.

About the Author

John Wright started his career in the construction industry at Kennedy Builders Merchants in the 1980s. This marked the beginning of a 35-year journey in sales, marketing, and business development in construction.

In 2016, John transitioned into digital marketing as an it’seeze web design franchisee, before founding RBC Marketing in 2022. Today, he uses his strong knowledge of the construction industry along with marketing skills. He helps construction companies create a strong online presence. He also drives business growth through both digital and traditional marketing strategies.