Sponsored blog by Buildscout.
JH Building Services has covered West Sussex, Surrey and Kent since 2015, taking on extensions, refurbishments and new builds. The team manages every trade in-house, including landscaping and driveways, so clients deal with one company from start to finish.
To help find more of the right projects and build a stronger pipeline of work, JH Building Services turned to FMB partner Buildscout. The lead generation platform uses planning application data to help builders find suitable projects in their area and reach homeowners early, before the competition.
The challenge: too much legwork, not enough certainty
Before joining Buildscout, the business relied on recommendations, reviews, job-listing sites and word of mouth. A lot of legwork for an uncertain return.
Office Manager Tina was cautious about lead generation at first, until she saw how simple Buildscout was, and the support behind it: ‘Any questions, they're never silly. There's always so much support from everyone at Buildscout that it just makes it a really easy choice.’
Proof it was working, within three months
The turning point came fast: ‘It was very quickly it seemed that it was a worthwhile thing to be doing,’ says Tina, describing the first responses to the letters. The figures have backed that up since.
That confidence has translated into real projects: a chimney and stove installation with an extension to follow in September, and another extension and refurbishment starting in August.
The results: nine out of ten quotes won
The numbers tell their own story: 10 projects quoted, nine won, worth roughly half a million pounds of work.
Two campaigns now run side by side, targeting different property values with tailored messaging, attracting both larger architect-led projects and smaller ‘bread and butter’ extensions without alienating either audience.
Lead quality that's genuinely worth having
For Tina, lead quality stands out most: ‘They are already on the planning portal applying for it.’ Where the business once visited people with no plans drawn up, leads now arrive with the groundwork done and a start date in mind.
So simple, it barely feels like work
Tina logs on every morning to review new leads: ‘It's so simple to use that even James, my boss, can use it when I'm off,’ she says. That simplicity was there from day one: ‘You lovely guys set it up and talked us through it, so we knew what we were doing. Any questions, someone was always happy to jump on the phone for a chat.’
- High-intent leads. Homeowners are already through the planning process, so conversations start further down the line.
- Less chasing. Most leads have already committed, so there's far less time following up.
- A head start on competitors. A letter sent first gives the business a foot in the door before other builders arrive.
- Minimal admin. It takes Tina about 10 minutes a day, more only when submissions land in a batch at month-start: ‘It's done and dusted over a cup of tea and a biscuit.’
A clear return, and peace of mind
Asked whether it's paid for itself, Tina doesn't hesitate: ‘It has most definitely paid for itself. The return for what we pay has been fantastic. It's a no-brainer.’ Beyond the numbers, she describes a genuine sense of security in knowing what's coming next. Now, the business can pick and choose the projects that suit it best.
The impact has reached the wider business too: new team members, a new work vehicle, and visibility on bookings into September and October.
Would they recommend it?
Without hesitation. ‘A hundred percent recommend Buildscout to anyone that asks’ says Tina. ‘I think every building firm would benefit from using this, because it's easy, it's simple, and it works.’
For builders chasing leads instead of winning work, JH Building Services shows what Buildscout can help you achieve.
Watch Tina's full story on Buildscout's website →
