Local Networking for NZ Tradies: How to Get Referrals Without Spending Money

The truth: The best customers come from referrals, not ads.

Why? They already trust you (because someone they trust recommended you).

The result: Higher conversion rates, better clients, more repeat business.

In this guide, we'll show you how to build a local referral network that sends you steady work every week - without spending a cent on advertising.

Why Networking Beats Advertising

The Numbers:

Customer from Google Ads:

• Cost per lead: $30-80
• Conversion rate: 2-5%
• Trust level: Low (they're comparing 5 other tradies)

• Cost per lead: $0
• Conversion rate: 50-80%
• Trust level: High (pre-sold by friend)

Who to Network With

Not other plumbers (they're your competitors).

Instead, network with businesses that serve the SAME customers but offer DIFFERENT services.

Best Referral Partners for Tradies:

1. Real Estate Agents

• Why: They need tradies for pre-sale repairs, maintenance, recommendations to buyers
• How you help them: Quick turnaround, reliable service, help them close sales faster
• How they help you: Recommend you to sellers (pre-sale repairs) and buyers (move-in work)

2. Property Managers

• Why: Manage 50-200 rental properties each, constant maintenance needs
• How you help them: Respond quickly to tenant issues, detailed invoices for landlords
• How they help you: Steady stream of jobs (20-30 per month possible)

3. Builders

• Why: Need subcontractors for plumbing, electrical, painting, etc.
• How you help them: Reliable, on time, clean work
• How they help you: Regular subcontracting work on renovations and new builds

4. Architects

• Why: Design homes, need tradie recommendations for clients
• How you help them: Make their designs come to life, keep clients happy
• How they help you: High-value residential projects

• Why: Clients doing kitchen/bathroom renos need plumbers, electricians, tilers
• How you help them: Quality work that makes their designs look good
• How they help you: Premium clients willing to pay for quality

• Why: Assess flood/fire damage, need tradies for quotes and repairs
• How you help them: Fast quotes, detailed reports, insurance-friendly invoices
• How they help you: Emergency work (higher rates), bulk jobs

• Plumber ↔ Electrician (bathroom renos need both)
• Painter ↔ Plasterer (always work together)
• Builder ↔ Roofer (new builds, extensions)
• Carpet Layer ↔ Flooring Specialist

How to Start Networking (Without Being Awkward)

Step 1: Make a List (10 Target Partners)

Example for a Wellington plumber:

1. 3 real estate agents (active in my suburbs)
2. 2 property managers (manage 100+ properties)
3. 2 builders (doing residential renos)
4. 1 architect
5. 1 electrician (for cross-referrals)
6. 1 painter

Step 2: Find Their Contact Info

Where to find them:

• Real estate agents: TradeMe Property listings, open homes, local real estate offices
• Property managers: Google "[city] property management", call and ask for property manager
• Builders: Local building projects (knock on door, introduce yourself), Facebook groups
• Architects: Google, local architecture firms

Step 3: Reach Out (Templates)

Method 1: Email Introduction

Subject: Reliable plumber for your clients - Wellington
Hi [Name],
I'm Mike, a licensed plumber based in Wellington. I noticed you manage a lot of properties in [suburb].
I specialize in rental property maintenance:
• Fast response (same-day for emergencies)
• Detailed invoices landlords appreciate
• Professional with tenants
If you ever need a reliable plumber for your properties, I'd love to help. Happy to offer a 10% discount for property managers on the first job so you can try my service risk-free.
Feel free to call or text: 021 234 5678
Cheers,
Mike Thompson
Thompson Plumbing

Method 2: In-Person Introduction

Scenario: You see a builder working on a renovation in your neighborhood.

YOU: "Hey mate, saw you're doing a reno here. Looks good! I'm Mike, I'm a plumber in the area."
BUILDER: "Oh yeah? I'm John, I run this build."
YOU: "Cool. I do a lot of plumbing rough-ins and finals for renos if you ever need an extra hand. Fast turnaround, always on time. Here's my card."
BUILDER: "Cheers, I'll keep you in mind."
[Later that week, text them:]
"Hey John, nice meeting you on site the other day. If you've got any plumbing jobs coming up, let me know. I'd love to work together. Cheers - Mike"

Why this works:

• Natural (not salesy)
• Face-to-face builds trust faster
• Follow-up text keeps you top of mind

For high-value partners (property managers, architects, big builders):

Hi [Name],
I'm a plumber in Wellington and I'd love to grab a quick coffee to see if we can help each other out.
I know you work with a lot of homeowners who need reliable tradies. I'm looking to build relationships with property managers who need fast, professional plumbing work.
Are you free for 15 mins this week? Coffee's on me.
Cheers,
Mike

During coffee:

• Ask about their business
• Ask what frustrates them about tradies (late, poor quality, etc.)
• Position yourself as the solution
• Offer a trial: "Let me do your next job at 10% off so you can see my work quality"

How to Make Partnerships Work

Rule #1: Give Before You Ask

❌ Don't: "Can you refer clients to me?"

✅ Do: "I have a client who's selling their house. They need a good real estate agent. Can I send them your way?"

Why it works: Reciprocity. They'll want to return the favor.

Rule #2: Make Them Look Good

When they refer a client to you:

• Show up on time (or early)
• Do excellent work
• Charge fair prices
• Follow up: "Job went great! Thanks for the referral."

If you make them look bad (late, poor work), they'll never refer you again.

Rule #3: Keep in Touch

Most tradies:

• Get referral
• Do job
• Never talk to referral partner again
• Partner forgets about them

• Text partner after every job: "Thanks for the referral! Client was happy."
• Check in monthly: "Hey Sarah, got any projects coming up?"
• Send occasional thank-you: "You've sent me 5 jobs this year - really appreciate it!"

• High-value partners (property managers, busy agents): Every 2-4 weeks
• Medium-value partners (builders, architects): Monthly
• Low-value partners (occasional referrers): Every 3 months

Creative Networking Ideas

1. Join Local Business Groups

BNI (Business Network International):

• Weekly breakfast meetings
• One tradie per category (one plumber, one electrician, etc.)
• Members refer each other
• Cost: $500-800/year
• Worth it? Yes, if you commit to attending every week

• Monthly networking events
• Meet local business owners
• Cost: $300-500/year
• Worth it? Yes for brand visibility

• Free
• "[City] Business Owners"
• "[City] Tradie Network"
• Post your services, answer questions, build reputation

2. Sponsor Local Sports Teams

What: Pay $500-1,000 for team sponsorship

You get:

• Logo on team jerseys
• Mention in team newsletter
• Parents see your logo every weekend (200-300 people)

• Parents = homeowners = potential customers
• Community goodwill
• Referrals: "My kid's soccer team is sponsored by Thompson Plumbing - they're great!"

3. Host "Lunch and Learn" for Real Estate Agents

What: Buy lunch for a real estate office, give a 15-minute talk

Topic ideas:

• "10 Plumbing Red Flags When Selling a Home"
• "How to Prep a House for Sale: Tradie Perspective"

• Face time with 10-15 agents
• Positioned as the expert
• Top-of-mind when they need a tradie

Subject: Free "Lunch and Learn" for your team
Hi [Office Manager],
I'm a licensed plumber in Wellington and I'd love to offer your team a free "Lunch and Learn" session.
Topic: "Top 10 Plumbing Issues That Kill Home Sales (And How to Fix Them Fast)"
I'll buy lunch and give a 15-minute talk on common plumbing problems your agents encounter during pre-sale inspections - and how to solve them quickly.
Would your team be interested? I'm flexible on dates.
Cheers,
Mike Thompson
Thompson Plumbing

4. Create a "Tradie Alliance"

What: Team up with 4-5 other tradies (different trades) and cross-refer

Example alliance:

• You (plumber)
• Sarah (electrician)
• John (painter)
• Dave (builder)
• Emma (roofer)

• You all refer clients to each other
• Share a Google Sheet of each other's contact info
• WhatsApp group: "Got a client who needs a painter - who's available?"

• Everyone wins (more referrals for all)
• Clients love it (one call gets them multiple tradies)

How to Ask for Referrals (Without Being Awkward)

After Finishing a Job:

❌ Awkward way: "Um, so, if you know anyone who needs a plumber, can you, like, maybe tell them about me?"

✅ Confident way: "Glad I could help! If you know anyone else who needs a plumber, I'd really appreciate if you'd pass my details on. Here's a couple of extra business cards."

✅ Even better: "I run my business on referrals - it's how I keep my prices fair and avoid advertising costs. If you're happy with my work, the best thing you can do is recommend me to friends or family. Really appreciate it!"

In Your Email Signature:

Mike Thompson | Thompson Plumbing
Licensed Plumber | Wellington
021 234 5678
Referrals are the best compliment!
Know someone who needs a plumber? Send them my way 😊

On Your Invoices:

[Bottom of invoice]
Thanks for your business!
Referrals keep my business running. If you know someone who needs a reliable plumber, I'd really appreciate if you'd pass on my details:
Mike Thompson | 021 234 5678 | thompsonplumbing.co.nz

Tracking Your Referrals

Why track? Know which partners send the most work.

How to track:

Simple method (Google Sheet):

• Who referred you
• Job value
• Number of referrals per partner

• Who sent the most referrals? (send them a thank-you)
• Who sent the highest-value jobs? (focus on building that relationship)

Real Example: How Dave Built a Referral Machine

Dave - Electrician, Christchurch

Starting point:

• 90% of work from Facebook ads ($500/month ad spend)
• Inconsistent leads
• Price shoppers

Month 1:

• Made list of 10 real estate agents in his area
• Emailed all 10 (got 3 responses)
• Met 2 for coffee

• Did first job for agent Sarah (pre-sale electrical work)
• Showed up on time, did great work, charged fairly
• Sarah referred 2 more clients

• Partnered with builder John (met on a job site)
• John started using him for all electrical work on renos
• Joined local BNI chapter

• 60% of work now from referrals
• Cut Facebook ad spend to $100/month
• Higher quality clients (less price shopping)

• 80% of work from referrals
• Stopped Facebook ads entirely
• 4 real estate agents refer regularly
• 2 builders use him exclusively
• Property manager sends 10-15 jobs/month

• Referrals: 0 → 30+ jobs/month
• Ad spend: $500/month → $0
• Revenue: +40% (higher-value jobs)
• Stress: Lower (clients already trust him)

Your Networking Checklist

Week 1:

• ✅ List 10 potential referral partners
• ✅ Find their contact info
• ✅ Reach out to 5 (email or in-person)

• ✅ Meet 1-2 for coffee
• ✅ Join 1 local Facebook business group
• ✅ Reach out to remaining 5 partners

• ✅ Do first jobs for 2-3 partners
• ✅ Follow up: "Thanks for the referral!"
• ✅ Ask for feedback: "How can I make it easier to refer me?"

• ✅ Check in with partners every 2-4 weeks
• ✅ Track referrals (who sends you work?)
• ✅ Focus on top 3 partners (build deeper relationships)

• ✅ Monthly check-ins with key partners
• ✅ Thank partners for every referral
• ✅ Add 2-3 new partners every quarter

Next Steps

This week:

• Identify your top 10 potential referral partners
• Reach out to 3 (email or in-person)

• Meet 2 for coffee
• Do excellent work on first referral jobs
• Follow up and thank them

• Build relationships with 5-10 solid partners
• 20-30% of your work comes from referrals

• 50-80% of your work comes from referrals
• Stop paying for ads
• Steady stream of high-quality leads

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