PPC for Builders: What Works and What Doesn’t.

By David Hannah Marketing

If you’re a builder looking to grow your business—whether you’re doing custom homes, renovations, extensions, or commercial projects—you’ve probably heard that PPC (pay-per-click) advertising can bring in a steady stream of job leads.

And it can. But PPC is not a magic tap you turn on and suddenly your calendar is full.

In this honest review, we’ll break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to make PPC worth your investment as a builder in today’s ultra-competitive digital landscape.

Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here 

What PPC Can Actually Do for Builders

Done well, PPC can be a game-changer for building companies—especially when targeting local, high-intent customers looking for someone right now. Here’s what it’s good at:

• Generating qualified leads from people searching for a builder in your area
• Promoting specific services like home extensions, knockdown-rebuilds, or new homes
• Filling your pipeline with projects for the months ahead
• Helping you dominate your local market and build a digital presence that backs up your reputation

If your competitors are showing up on Google and you’re not, chances are you’re losing leads—even if you’re the better builder.

But Here’s the Honest Truth…

PPC for builders is not cheap. Search terms like “home builders Auckland” or “renovation builder Sydney” can cost anywhere from $10 to $40 per click, depending on your location and service.

And unless your campaign is set up properly—with strong keywords, a great landing page, suburb targeting, and a fast follow-up process—most of that spend is going to waste.

Here’s what we often see go wrong:

• Builders send Google Ads traffic to their homepage instead of a custom landing page
• No clear call-to-action—just a generic “Contact Us” button
• Leads come in but don’t get followed up for days (or ever)
• Campaigns run on broad keywords like “building company” with no suburb filters
• No remarketing or email follow-up—so once they bounce, they’re gone

In short: PPC works. But it’s easy to get wrong—and expensive when you do.

Google Ads vs Meta Ads for Builders

Builders tend to benefit most from Google Ads—because it’s intent-driven. If someone types “bathroom renovation builder near me” or “custom home builder Gold Coast,” they’re actively looking.

But Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram) can play a powerful supporting role:

• Promote lead magnets (e.g. “Free Home Renovation Guide”)
• Showcase before-and-after projects or time-lapse videos
• Build trust through testimonials, team intros, or walkthroughs
• Retarget website visitors who didn’t convert the first time

The ideal approach is to use Google Ads to capture warm leads, and Meta Ads to build trust, nurture interest, and stay top-of-mind.

What Budget Should Builders Expect?

Here’s what we tell our building clients when planning PPC:

• Google Ads: $1,500–$3,500/month for metro areas
• Meta Ads: $800–$2,000/month for branding and lead magnets
• Landing page, email flows, reporting: $300–$1,000/month depending on how much you want automated

Yes, it’s a serious investment. But if one kitchen renovation brings in $25k—or a new build is worth $300k+—the maths works if even one or two projects come through each month.

The Most Common Mistake Builders Make with PPC

They treat every lead like it’s ready to build tomorrow.

In reality, most people:

• Are still gathering ideas
• Haven’t spoken to other builders yet
• Need to secure financing or permits
• Are looking for someone they feel confident in—not just someone who’s available

That means you need to warm leads up, not just collect them. A good PPC system for builders includes:

1. A compelling landing page with a lead magnet or strong value offer
2. Fast, personal follow-up by phone or email
3. Ongoing remarketing and trust-building ads
4. Email nurture flows that educate, reassure, and keep you top-of-mind

This is especially important for bigger jobs—where the decision process can take weeks or even months.

Is PPC Worth It for Builders?

Yes—if:

• You want more consistent lead flow, not just word-of-mouth
• You’re ready to invest in a full system (not just ads)
• You follow up quickly and professionally
• You have capacity for more jobs and want to be selective with better clients
• You’re looking to build a real pipeline of work—not just one-off projects

No—if:

• You’re too busy to follow up leads quickly
• You don’t have a clear service focus or target area
• You’re looking for instant results without refining the system over time
• You’re running ads without support, strategy, or performance tracking

PPC isn’t a quick fix—but for builders who treat marketing like a part of the business, it’s a powerful engine for growth.

Final Verdict

PPC for builders can absolutely deliver results—but only when it’s set up as a system, not a one-time campaign. If you’re going to spend $2,000 a month on ads, make sure that spend is being backed up with conversion-focused landing pages, CRM automation, and ads built to attract the right kind of client.

At David Hannah Marketing, we work with builders across Australia and New Zealand to develop PPC strategies that bring in jobs worth quoting on—not tyre kickers.

Want to see what PPC could do for your building business?
Book a free strategy session and we’ll show you what’s working right now, how to avoid common traps, and what kind of results you can expect based on your niche and region.

Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here