Episode #301: "YELP But For Contractors"
HVAC Masters of the Hustle
Host: JDubMoneyMaker
Guest: Cody, Creator of LeadCheck
Release Date: February 17, 2025
Introduction and Sponsorship
The episode kicks off with JDubMoneyMaker, also known as Jacob Moneymaker, greeting his audience and introducing the sponsor, Nuva Thermostat. JDub emphasizes the thermostat’s customization features and its focus on aiding contractors in retaining their client base without encroaching on competitors' databases.
Notable Quote:
“This is the thermostat made by the contractor for the contractor.” – JDubMoneyMaker [00:01]
He shares insights from his recent speaking engagements across various states, highlighting the success of his event at Hook Agency in Minnesota and teasing his upcoming appearance at EPIC 2025 with a special discount code for listeners.
Introducing LeadCheck: A Reverse Yelp for Contractors
JDub transitions into the main topic by discussing the lack of platforms for contractors to rate their clients, paralleling the existing client-review systems like Yelp. He introduces Cody, the creator of LeadCheck, a groundbreaking software designed to fill this void.
Notable Quote:
“They got Yelp out there for clients... but there's nothing on the reverse side for contractors to rate their clients until today.” – JDubMoneyMaker [03:51]
The Genesis of LeadCheck
Cody delves into the inspiration behind LeadCheck, citing recurring issues with bad clients in the HVAC and construction industries. He recounts his personal frustrations with non-paying, abusive clients and frivolous lawsuits, which led him and his brother to brainstorm a solution.
Notable Quote:
“The biggest problem that we're resolving is the problem of bad clients... avoiding Bad clients is better for your cash flow, company morale, and reduces stress.” – Cody [19:02]
Features and Functionality
LeadCheck is described as an automated, anonymous system allowing contractors to rate and review their clients. Cody explains how the software integrates seamlessly with existing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, minimizing manual input and enhancing efficiency.
Key Features Discussed:
- Anonymous Reviews: Contractors can safely review clients without fear of retaliation.
- Lead Tracking: The system tracks clients' shopping behaviors, identifying "tire kickers" who seek multiple bids without serious intent.
- Integration with CRMs: Compatibility with platforms like HubSpot, Go High Level, and Builder Trend.
- Tire Kicker Score: A metric to evaluate the seriousness of a client's inquiries based on their bidding activity.
Notable Quote:
“LeadCheck is essentially a reverse Yelp with a lot of other cool features and tools inside.” – Cody [04:54]
Development Process
Cody outlines the two-and-a-half-year journey of developing LeadCheck, emphasizing the initial phase of identifying the need, followed by a year of software design and another year of pilot testing with real companies. The team focused on user-friendly integration and securing patents to protect their innovative approach.
Notable Quote:
“We spent about a year running test pilot programs, testing it with actual companies, figuring out the marketing... now we're ready to go full out and spread this thing around.” – Cody [09:47]
Overcoming Challenges
The development team faced numerous challenges, such as ensuring reviews were tied to individuals rather than addresses and handling spouses of toxic clients. Additionally, implementing the tire kicker tracker required sophisticated algorithms to accurately assess client behavior without infringing on privacy or usability.
Notable Quote:
“We also figured out a clever way to connect the spouses... it's a pretty tricky problem to solve.” – Cody [16:08]
Onboarding and Adoption
Cody describes the straightforward onboarding process for companies, highlighting the ease of integrating LeadCheck with existing CRMs. He mentions a high conversion rate during demos, indicating strong market demand and the software's intuitive value proposition.
Notable Quote:
“When we book a demo with a contractor, we have like a 75% conversion rate... people just intuitively know when they see it, it works.” – Cody [21:42]
Marketing Strategies
LeadCheck employs a multi-faceted marketing approach, including heavy email campaigns, cold calling, sending promotional gifts, and participating in trade shows. Their efforts aim to saturate the market and build a robust user base rapidly.
Notable Quote:
“We've created a lot of different streams for outreach because we're trying to saturate the market as much as humanly possible.” – Cody [21:42]
Future Vision
Looking ahead, Cody envisions LeadCheck becoming the go-to platform for contractor-client reviews, akin to Yelp for the HVAC and construction industries. He aims to expand its reach, primarily targeting medium to large companies initially to build substantial data and demonstrate value.
Notable Quote:
“I really see this as becoming the Yelp or Google reviews for contractors. I think the majority of contractors will be using LeadCheck in the next three years.” – Cody [20:39]
Collaboration Over Competition
Cody stresses the importance of collaboration among contractors to combat toxic clients, rather than competing against each other. By sharing anonymous client reviews, contractors can collectively improve industry standards and reduce the prevalence of problematic clients.
Notable Quote:
“It's us versus the toxic clients, I think we'll have less stress in our lives... a rising tide lifts all boats.” – Cody [29:38]
Listener Takeaways
Cody encourages listeners, including business owners, installers, technicians, dispatchers, and sales professionals, to adopt LeadCheck to enhance their operational efficiency, protect their reputations, and improve overall business health. He underscores the platform’s role in fostering a more supportive and less adversarial industry environment.
Notable Quote:
“If we can help you save 10%, 5%, even 10% with your sales team on avoiding the really... bad clients up front, then it's well worth it.” – Cody [17:28]
Closing Remarks
JDub commends Cody for his innovative solution and shares a personal testament to Cody’s professionalism from a recent client interaction. Both hosts express optimism about the impact LeadCheck will have on the industry, reinforcing the episode’s theme of leveraging technology to achieve greater success and harmony within the HVAC and construction sectors.
Notable Quote:
“I really believe that you and your team created something really special here that the contractors have been missing for a long time.” – JDubMoneyMaker [24:17]
Conclusion
Episode #301 of HVAC Masters of the Hustle offers invaluable insights into the challenges contractors face with problematic clients and presents LeadCheck as a transformative solution. Through detailed discussions on software features, development hurdles, and strategic marketing, Cody illustrates how LeadCheck aims to revolutionize client management in the HVAC and construction industries. This episode serves as a must-listen for industry professionals seeking to enhance their business operations and protect their reputations.