velopers
Lead platforms like Angi and HomeAdvisor (now the same company) can fill a calendar, especially when you are starting out. Many contractors also find the leads expensive and hard to win. Here is how the model works in 2026, how to work out whether it pays for you, and what to build alongside it.
How shared leads work
When a homeowner requests a quote, the same request is commonly sent to several pros at once. Contractor guides report it is often shared with three to five contractors, and sometimes more. You pay for the lead whether or not you win the job, so the first to respond usually has the advantage.
What leads cost in 2026
Angi does not publish one price list. Contractor guides such as LeadTruffle’s 2026 breakdown report typical ranges per lead of roughly:
- Roofing: $50 to $120+
- Remodeling: $50 to $100+
- HVAC: $45 to $100
- Plumbing: $40 to $85
- Electrical: $35 to $80
- Garage doors: $35 to $75
- Landscaping: $25 to $55
- Cleaning: $15 to $35
Guides also report an annual membership fee, credits rather than cash refunds for bad leads, and contracts that renew automatically unless canceled in advance. These come from third parties, several of which compete with Angi, so check the terms in your own agreement and dashboard.
Work out what a job really costs you
The lead price is not the number that matters. The cost per job you win is:
Cost per job = lead price ÷ the share of leads you win
Example: leads at $70, and you win 1 in 6 (about 17%). Each job costs you about $420 in leads, before membership fees. For a $350 repair that loses money. For a $9,000 roof it may be fine. Track it for a month:
- Log every lead: date, cost, how fast you responded, outcome, job value.
- At the end of the month, divide total lead spend by jobs won.
- Compare that with your average job value and margin.
If you use lead platforms, respond first
- Turn on notifications and respond within minutes. With shared leads, speed is the main advantage you control.
- Call first, then text if they do not pick up.
- Send your Google review link and recent work photos with your quote, so you stand out from the others they hear from.
Build calls that only go to you
The alternative is calls from your own Google profile, reviews and website. Those leads are not shared with competitors, and they build up over time instead of stopping when you stop paying. Most contractors who move away from lead platforms do it gradually: keep the leads that are profitable while building their own presence, then compare cost per job each month.
Start with the Google Business Profile checklist and how to get more reviews.