Restoration leads: where to buy them, and how to need fewer

Each row is a place restoration leads come from, how it charges and our read on the fit for restoration companies.

All lead sources compared lists each platform's published prices next to Koira's, with the same columns.

Google lists "Water damage services" among the categories eligible for Local Services Ads, so restoration companies can run them once they pass Google's screening. On Local Services Ads you are billed per lead tied to your services, not per click. Google does not publish a price list; it says lead prices depend on your location, the job type, the type of lead and your bidding mode.

For restoration companies, the call that matters is water pouring through a ceiling or a flooded basement at night. Google counts a missed call during your business hours as a charged lead if the caller stays on the line for more than 20 seconds. Google says it assesses lead quality over a 30-day period and credits leads it finds to be poor quality, duplicate or invalid.

Google ranks Local Services ads by your bid and profile quality: rating, number of reviews, response time, photos and the verification checks you completed. Some categories need 5 reviews to show at all, and Google recommends 5 or more for everyone. For the rules in full, see Google Local Services Ads for contractors and the setup guide.

Lead volume follows the season. For restoration companies it peaks around winter freezes and storm season and drops in the dry weeks of late spring, which changes what a paid lead is worth from month to month.

Expect homeowners and tenants in the middle of a bad day, often with an insurance claim open, who call whoever answers and can come now, along with property managers, apartment owners and facility managers and referrals from plumbers, insurance agents, roofers and property managers.

Angi's 2025 annual report describes its lead revenue as fees paid by pros for consumer matches, regardless of whether the pro ultimately provides the requested service. Bark says the cost of contacting a customer depends on the service, the value of the job and supply and demand in the area.

There is no charge to join Thumbtack and no annual or membership fee, according to its pro page.

For restoration companies the test is simple: a lead source pays when the jobs you win from it are worth more than everything you spent on it, including the leads that went nowhere. Your customers are homeowners and tenants in the middle of a bad day, often with an insurance claim open, who call whoever answers and can come now, so speed and a clear price decide most shared leads. Thumbtack vs Angi puts the two biggest side by side.

The number to watch is cost per booked job, not cost per lead. Take what a source cost you last month, divide by the jobs it booked, and weigh that against what a job like a flooded basement with drying, mold work and the rebuild leaves after materials and labor.

Run your own numbers through the free cost per lead calculator; it also shows the close rate where a source breaks even. The missed call calculator shows what calls that go to voicemail cost you before any lead fee.

• Reviews. Ask everyone, right after they pay, with a link straight to the review form. Google says offering incentives, like free or discounted goods or services, in exchange for reviews is strictly prohibited. Koira's review engine sends the ask and drafts each reply.
• A price on your site. Drying out a small leak under a sink priced from your own list, day or night, with booking on the same page (instant quotes).
• The street around each job. Drying fans running and a van parked outside for days, which the whole street notices. Neighbor postcards go to the likely homes around the job the next morning.
• Referrals. From happy customers and from plumbers, insurance agents, roofers and property managers (referrals).
• Seasonal reminders. A note to past customers before winter freezes and storm season (campaigns).
• Commercial buyers. Three short emails to property managers, apartment owners and facility managers near you, then stop (commercial outreach).

On a call about water pouring through a ceiling or a flooded basement at night, the customer rings down the list until someone picks up. It does not matter whether the lead came free or cost you a fee. Koira's receptionist answers on your number and texts missed callers back in about a minute with three open times for drying out a small leak under a sink or a look at a flooded basement with drying, mold work and the rebuild. On Grow you pay $249 a month, plus the texts, call minutes and emails at cost. See the restoration answering service guide for live and AI options and their published prices.