Getting referrals from other trades can be as simple as coming up with the right offer: tell the trades who already see your work that you will pay a small introduction fee for every job they send you.
And the difference it can make can be staggering.
Imagine no ad costs, no trying to sift through penny pinchers who just want the cheapest quote, regardless if you do better work.
And imagine getting paid what you want every time.
The reason this strategy works so well, is the people referring you become the hero to their client (because you do great work), they earn a little for the introduction, and you win good work with no ad costs.
The thing about this strategy, is that the most important thing is you do great work and have proven it. The ingtroduction fee is just the icing on the cake.
Think about who is on site before you, after you and alongside you.
Plasterers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters. Every one of them is standing in front of somebody who is about to need what you do. Most of them have no reason to say your name, because nobody has ever given them one.
This is one of the quickest ways to build a steady flow of referrals without ever asking for them. Let me show you how I did it.
Why do other trades make such good referrers?
Because they have already seen your work. They do not need convincing. They have watched you turn up, do the job properly and leave the place tidy.
That matters more than you might think. A recommendation from someone who has seen your standards first-hand carries real weight. The customer does not hear a sales pitch. They hear a tradesman they already trust saying, “You want to speak to this person.”
It also costs you nothing to start. No adverts, no lead sites, no chasing. Just a good conversation with the right people.
How to get referrals from other trades without being pushy
You make a plain, fair offer. I can remember approaching other trades and saying something like this:
“If you know anybody who needs what we do, you’ve seen our work and know we are good, we give a small introduction fee to you. Everyone wins.”
That is how to get referrals from other trades without any awkwardness. Then I explained why everyone wins:
- Their client wins because they get good work done by someone who has been recommended.
- The other trade wins because they become the hero and get paid a small amount for it.
- You win because you get good business with no ad costs.
That is win-win-win, and it is the only kind of deal I will put my name to. Nobody is being pushed. Nobody is being used. You are simply giving a good trade a reason, and a reward, for saying your name.
Which trades should you approach first?
Start with the trades whose work leads straight into yours, or sits next to it. A builder sees clients who will need a plasterer, a roofer or an electrician. A plasterer sees the same houses a few weeks later. If you already work alongside someone, they are your warmest starting point.
Pick two or three you genuinely respect. Do not scatter the offer across everyone in the phone book. Trust runs in both directions. If you would not put them in front of your own client, do not ask them to put you in front of theirs.
If you want to see how the same thinking works for other partners, have a look at how to get estate agents to refer you work.
What should you say when you make the introduction fee offer?
Keep it short, and keep it about their client. Getting referrals from other trades is a conversation, not a campaign. Here is the shape that works:
- Start with their work. Say something true and specific about a job you have seen them do well.
- Make the offer. Use the plain words above. A small introduction fee, paid when the work goes ahead.
- Make it easy to say your name. Tell them exactly what you do and the kind of job you are looking for, so they know when to speak up.
- Say thank you, every time. Whether a lead turns into work or not, let them know you appreciate the thought.
You will notice that none of this asks anyone to do anything awkward. It is an invitation, not a demand. If they are not interested, they say so and you have lost nothing.
How do you set up a simple agreement and track the referrals?
Keep the agreement simple enough to say out loud. Agree the size of the introduction fee, when it is paid, and what counts as a referral. A quick message or a one-line email confirming it is plenty. Nobody wants a contract between friends.
Then track every job that comes from a partner. A notebook or a simple spreadsheet is enough. Write down who sent the customer, what the job was and when you thanked them. After a few months you will see which trades in your network are worth the most to your trades business, and you can put more time into those relationships.
That small process also protects trust. Nobody wonders whether they were paid properly, and nobody is left waiting for a thank you. Tradespeople in the UK talk to each other, and a reputation for treating partners fairly spreads quickly.
How do you keep referrals from other trades coming?
Look after the first one. When another trade sends you a job, treat that client as if your reputation depended on it, because the trade’s reputation now does too. Do the work well, keep them informed and tell the trade how it went.
Then return the favour. When someone on your own jobs needs a plumber, an electrician or a roofer, send them to the people who sent you work. Referrals that travel both ways turn into a network that keeps itself going.
The same simple steps for how to get referrals from other trades work whatever your own trade is. You can see them applied in our guides on how to get referrals as a tradesman and how to get referrals as an electrician.
One practical point. Be open about the introduction fee with your own clients if they ask, and make sure the trades you work with meet the quality standards you set for your own work. If you want a trusted list to start from, a scheme like TrustMark, the government-endorsed standard for trades, is a good place to look for firms that meet recognised standards.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to pay other trades for referrals?
Yes, as long as it is fair and open. A small introduction fee, paid when the work goes ahead, rewards a trade for sending you a good client. Keep it honest and never put the client’s interests second.
How much should an introduction fee be?
Keep it small and simple. It should say thank you, not buy loyalty. Most trades are happy with a modest, fair amount because the real prize is being the hero to their own client.
What if the other trade does not want a fee?
Then thank them in another way and send work back their direction. Some trades would rather have a return favour than payment, and that works just as well.
Do I need other trades to refer me if I already get work through clients?
Client referrals and trade referrals work together. Trades often hear about jobs earlier than the client’s friends do, so you get to the work sooner.
Where to go next
If you want to see where your own referrals are leaking right now, take the free quiz, Where Are You Leaking Referrals. It takes a couple of minutes and shows you the gaps before you change a thing.
Which trade could you speak to this week?