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Speed to Lead: Why 5 Minutes Wins the Job
78% of homeowners hire the first business that responds (Lead Connect 2026). On shared leads especially, the homeowner is calling several pros — the fastest one books the job.
First to respond usually wins
78% of homeowners hire the first business that responds (Lead Connect 2026). On shared leads especially, the homeowner is calling several pros — the fastest one books the job.
5 minutes is the cliff
Respond in 5 minutes instead of 30 and you're up to 100x more likely to connect (MIT Sloan 2026). Every minute of delay hands the job to a faster competitor.
Never let a call die in voicemail
The average contractor misses ~14% of inbound calls (CallRail 2026). If you can't answer, auto-text back within seconds ('Sorry we missed you — what's going on?') and you save the job instead of funding a competitor's close.
Frequently asked questions
How fast should contractors respond to leads?
Within 5 minutes. That's up to 100x more likely to connect than 30 minutes (MIT Sloan 2026), and 78% of homeowners hire whoever responds first (Lead Connect 2026).
Why do I lose leads I paid for?
Usually speed. On shared leads the homeowner calls several pros and hires the first to respond. Slow response — or a missed call (~14% average, CallRail 2026) — hands the job to a competitor.
What should I do if I can't answer a lead right away?
Auto-text back instantly: 'Sorry we missed you — what's going on?' It keeps the conversation alive and saves the job while you get to the phone.
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