How to Beat Big Brands and Dominate Your Local Market

How to Beat Big Brands and Dominate Your Local Market

Jan 07, 2025

 


Why Big Brands Aren’t Unstoppable

As a home services business owner, it might feel impossible to compete with the big guys in your area. They’ve got bigger budgets, flashier ads, and name recognition that seems hard to beat.

But here’s the truth: Big brands have weaknesses, and those weaknesses are YOUR advantage.

You don’t need to outspend them. You need to out-serve them, outwork them, and out-train your team to deliver an experience that big brands can’t even come close to offering.

If you’re asking, “How do I scale my home services sales when I’m competing with giants?” this guide will show you exactly how to dominate your local market.

 


1. Do What Big Brands Won’t Do

Big brands rely on automation, call centers, and one-size-fits-all service to operate at scale. This leaves homeowners feeling like a number—not a valued customer. That’s where YOU come in.

What You Can Do to Win Over Leads:

  • Overdeliver on Personal Service:
    For example, after a roof inspection, call the homeowner directly. Let them know what you found and answer every single question. Big brands won’t take the time to do this.

  • Knock Doors and Leave Hangers:
    If you can’t compete on ad spend, don’t sit and complain—get boots on the ground.

    • Knock doors after finishing a job in the neighborhood. “Hi, we just finished your neighbor’s roof, and I’d love to offer you a free inspection while I’m here.”
    • Leave door hangers with personal touches like: “We’re helping families in your area fix their HVAC issues fast—call us for a same-day quote!”
  • Partner with Your Community:
    Attend local events, sponsor booths, and network with your neighbors. Big brands don’t have a local face. You do. People want to hire people they know and trust.

Remember: You might not generate as many leads as a big brand, but that’s a good thing. You’ll have more time to turn those leads into lifelong customers.


2. Stop Competing on Price—Focus on Value

Let’s get one thing straight: Price isn’t your advantage—it’s your weakness if you’re trying to undercut competitors. Homeowners don’t want the cheapest—they want the best.

Big brands will often price themselves low because they’re focused on volume. You can beat them by focusing on quality of service and value.

How to Provide Value in Home Services:

  • Roofing Example: Instead of quoting a price per square, educate your customer:

    • “Our materials last 20% longer.”
    • “We offer a 15-year labor warranty.”
    • “We use safety-first installation practices to protect your family and property.”
  • HVAC Example: Don’t sell the cheapest furnace installation. Sell peace of mind:

    • “Our team ensures your system is energy-efficient and will save you $500 a year on utility bills.”
    • “We clean up after ourselves—your home will look like we were never there.”
  • Plumbing Example: When replacing pipes, emphasize what sets you apart:

    • “Our repiping process is faster and cleaner, so you can get back to normal life sooner.”
    • “We use materials guaranteed to last 50 years—no leaks, no stress.”

Tip: People will pay MORE for reliability, peace of mind, and excellent service. Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth.


3. Use Customer Data to Blow Minds and Build Loyalty

Here’s where big brands completely drop the ball: customer relationships. They don’t track the little details that turn customers into lifelong fans. You can.

What to Track in Your CRM:

  • Customer birthdays
  • Their pet’s name
  • Their kid’s name and hobbies
  • Favorite sports teams
  • Favorite beer or coffee shop
  • How they heard about you
  • What problems you solved for them
  • Dates of completed jobs

How to Use Customer Data to Win Big:

  1. Send Birthday Cards: Include a handwritten note and a gift card to their favorite local coffee shop.
  2. Follow Up on Anniversaries:
    • “It’s been a year since we installed your HVAC system—let’s schedule a check-up to keep it running perfectly!”
  3. Sports Season Shout-Outs: If they’re a Green Bay Packers fan, send a quick email:
    • “Go Packers! Let’s make sure your roof holds up this winter!”
  4. Celebrate Big Wins: Did they have a new baby, wedding, or milestone? Send a note or a small gift.
  5. Offer Exclusive Deals: Reward loyal customers with VIP discounts. “Because you’re part of the XYZ family, we’re offering 10% off your next service.”

These small touches make customers feel SEEN and VALUED. Big brands will NEVER do this because they don’t care about personal details—they’re too busy chasing volume.


4. Train Your Sales Team to Outperform the Big Guys

If you want to scale your home services sales, your team has to sell like absolute professionals. Big brands are often inconsistent because their teams aren’t trained well. You can beat them with proper sales training for home services teams.

How to Train Your Team for Success:

  1. Focus on Follow-Up: Most sales require 5+ follow-ups, but the average salesperson quits after one or two. Train your team to follow up RELENTLESSLY with calls, texts, and emails.

  2. Role-Play Scenarios: Practice handling objections like:

    • “Your price is too high.”
    • “I need to think about it.”
    • “I’m getting other quotes.”
  3. Teach Value-Based Selling: Your team needs to explain why your service is BETTER, not cheaper.

  4. Lead by Example: As the owner, show your team how it’s done. Attend training, join sales calls, and set the standard.


Why Being Small Is Your Superpower

At the end of the day, big brands can’t compete with the relationships and attention to detail you can offer. Being small means you can:

  • Deliver personalized service that customers will remember.
  • Out-care and out-serve every competitor.
  • Track details and build real relationships.

Big brands will always have the budgets, but YOU have the ability to turn customers into loyal fans.


Final Thoughts: Scale Your Home Services Sales with Smart Strategy

Stop thinking of big brands as unbeatable. They’re not. By focusing on sales training for home services, delivering unbeatable value, and building strong customer relationships, you can dominate your local market and scale your revenue to $10M and beyond.

Ready to take your team to the next level? Explore our customized home services sales training programs designed to help you close more deals, outperform big competitors, and scale your business.

Click the link below to learn more, and let’s make it happen.