How to Vet a Marketing Agency as an Outdoor Service Contractor
Most contractors who got burned by an agency weren't scammed outright; they signed a contract they couldn't measure. These questions fix that.
Ask these before you sign
Get every answer in writing.
- Who owns the ad account, website and Google Business Profile? (It should be you.)
- Is ad spend billed to my card or marked up by you?
- How long is the contract, and how do I cancel?
- Do you work with my direct competitors in the same area?
- What do you report weekly: clicks, or booked estimates?
- Who answers or follows up on leads after hours?
- Can I talk to a current client in my trade?
Red flags
- Guaranteed #1 rankings on Google
- They keep the ad account or website if you leave
- Reports with impressions and clicks but no booked jobs
- Long contracts with no performance terms
What a good partner looks like
Clear monthly fee, ad spend on your card, assets in your name, a limit on competing clients in your service radius, and weekly reporting on booked estimates. That's the standard Sucrane holds itself to.
FAQs
Is a long contract always bad?
Not always, but it should come with clear performance terms and an exit you understand.
Should I hire a general agency or a trade specialist?
A specialist already knows your seasons, job sizes and the searches homeowners use, which shortens the learning period.
Keep reading
Tree Service
The Complete Tree Service Marketing Guide (2026)
Landscaping
How to Get More Landscaping Leads (Without Buying Shared Leads)
Local SEO
How to Rank on Google Maps as a Service Business