Exclusive leads vs. shared lead services.
Shared leads go to several contractors at once. Exclusive leads go to you alone. Here’s how that difference affects what you pay for each job.
The difference, in plain English
With a shared lead service, one homeowner's request is sent to several contractors. They're all trying to reach the same person, so speed and price often decide who wins.
With exclusive leads, the homeowner hears from one company: yours. You have the first conversation and can compete on quality instead of price.
With an exclusive lead, you aren't racing anyone to the phone.
That’s the difference SSP is built around.
Side by side
| SSP exclusive leads | Shared lead services | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the lead | Only you | Several contractors |
| Price pressure | Lower, since you’re the only one the homeowner is talking to |
Higher, since others are competing for the same job |
| Who owns the assets | Your website, reviews and rankings are built for you | Profile and reviews often stay on the platform |
| Follow-up | Fast, live and AI-assisted | Up to you |
| Cost per job over time | Can come down as SEO grows | Tied to buying more leads |
| Contracts | Month-to-month or 12-month | Varies by platform |
Compare cost per job, not cost per lead
A cheaper lead isn’t always a cheaper job. What matters is how much you spend for each job you actually win. Add up what you’ve spent on any lead source, divide it by the jobs it produced, and compare the results side by side.
Total spend ÷ jobs won = your real cost per job.
Use your own numbers.
When shared leads can make sense
Shared leads can work if you need volume quickly, have someone ready to answer the phone right away, and are comfortable competing on price. They’re also easy to get started with.
How switching works
You don’t have to switch all at once. We start with a strategy call and a market check, then build your brand and launch your ads. You’re free to keep your current lead sources running while the new system gets going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shared lead platforms bad?
No. They work differently from what we do. We’d rather explain the difference and let you decide.
How many contractors get each shared lead?
It varies by platform and market, but typically several contractors.
Can I use both?
Yes. You can keep a shared service going while your exclusive leads ramp up.
Want leads that are yours alone?
Book a free strategy call and we’ll check whether your trade is open in your market.
No commitment. No pressure. Just a straight conversation about growing your business. Or call (423) 295-7827