Ask five tradies what a lead costs and you’ll get five answers — because “a lead” means very different things depending on where it comes from. Here’s how tradie lead pricing actually works in Australia, and why the cheapest lead is often the most expensive.
It’s not the cost per lead — it’s the cost per won job
A $20 shared lead sold to five tradies isn’t a $20 lead. You win maybe one in five, so you really paid $100 in leads per job — plus the hours you and four competitors spent chasing the same customer. An exclusive lead costs more up front but you’re the only one quoting, so you win a far higher share. Always compare cost per won job, not cost per lead.
What drives the price
Your trade. An emergency plumbing job and a $40k bathroom renovation attract very different competition and click costs. Your location. Metro areas cost more per click than regional towns. The channel. Google Ads has a clear cost per click today; SEO costs more to build but then delivers leads you don’t pay per click for. Exclusivity. Exclusive leads cost more than shared — and are worth far more.
A realistic way to think about it
Work backwards from a job’s value. If your average job is worth $2,000 and you win one in three exclusive enquiries, you can afford a healthy amount per lead and still profit handsomely. Shared platforms flip that maths against you.
Get a straight number for your trade
The honest answer to “what will leads cost me?” depends on your trade and area. Book a free strategy call and we’ll give you real numbers — or learn how our exclusive tradie lead generation works.