Daniel the builder: from hit-and-miss referrals to a £90,000 extension job

Daniel is a builder in the South West, working on the Devon and Dorset border. Before using TradeMailer, most of his work came through word of mouth. That brought in jobs, but it was inconsistent and hard to predict from month to month.

He had also tried Facebook and Google Ads, but found them too technical and difficult to measure. He was not confident about what was working, what was not, or whether the spend was turning into real jobs.

Why he tried TradeMailer

A friend mentioned TradeMailer, and Daniel decided to give it a try. What stood out to him immediately was how straightforward the process felt. He found it simple to understand, easy to use, and much less complicated than running digital ad campaigns himself.

He was cautious at first, which he says is natural when trying something new and spending money on a new marketing channel. But the early results changed his view quickly.

Results in the first month

Within the first month, Daniel says he received around a dozen enquiries through TradeMailer. One of those enquiries turned into an extension project worth more than £90,000, which immediately proved the value of the service for his business.

That early win gave him confidence that the letters were reaching the right homeowners at the right time, and that the enquiries were tied to genuine projects rather than casual browsing or price-shopping.

What he likes about the approach

What Daniel values most is the timing. Potential customers receive the letters within two to three days of planning permission being granted, which means his business gets in front of property owners while the project is still fresh and before the usual rush of competing quotes begins.

For a builder working on larger residential projects, that earlier contact creates better conversations and gives him a stronger chance of being considered before the job becomes crowded with other trades.

Daniel's view now

Daniel describes TradeMailer as a direct source of new customers and additional income. His advice to other trades is simple: if you are considering it, give it a go. From his perspective, the setup is easy, the system is straightforward, and the results can come through quickly when the service is matched to the kind of work you want to win.

At a glance

Trade: Builder

Location: Devon and Dorset border, South West

Early result: Around a dozen enquiries in the first month

Notable job won: Extension project worth more than £90,000