How Subcontracting Can Help Grow Your Gutter Business

Subcontracting, or building partnerships with other businesses, offers a practical way to expand without taking on the full load of hiring, training, and maintaining a larger team. By forming strong relationships with other home service professionals—roofers, metal roofers, painters, landscapers, general contractors, home builders, HVAC specialists, plumbers, and handymen—you can access a steady flow of work and make your business an integral part of each project.

Subcontracting allows gutter companies to partner with complementary services. For example, roofers and general contractors frequently encounter customers needing gutter work. By partnering with them, you can tap into their customer base and position your services as part of a trusted, bundled solution. This strategy helps bring in more business and establishes you as a reliable player in the home improvement industry.

Building mutually beneficial partnerships and prioritizing clear communication, trust, and consistent service quality are essential to making subcontracting work effectively. Each industry has unique needs and expectations regarding subcontracting. Here’s how to approach and build relationships with each type of business to maximize your gutter company's subcontracting success.



The Types of Gutter Subcontracting Relationships

The Gutter and Roofing Referral Partnerships

Roofers are one of the most natural partners for gutter companies. When replacing or repairing a roof, gutters are often a necessary addition or replacement. Many roofing projects leave gutters needing repair, replacement, or cleaning due to damage during the roofing work.

How to Build the Relationship

• Introduce yourself to local roofing companies and highlight how you can help complete their service package with expert gutter installation and maintenance.
• Offer a mutual referral system where each business agrees to recommend the other’s services when appropriate.
• Be reliable and available for last-minute jobs, as roofing companies often have tight schedules and need quick turnarounds.

Example: Imagine a roofer replacing an old roof on a residential home. Once they’ve finished, they refer you for a seamless gutter installation, giving the homeowner a complete exterior upgrade in one project. After all, it does the homeowner no good at all if you replace their gutters but their roof leaks like a villain in a Jon Wick movie!

Gutter and Metal Roofing Referral Partnerships

Metal roofs are a popular choice for durability, especially in areas with heavy rain or snow. However, their smooth surface can increase water runoff, which makes sturdy, well-fitted gutters essential.

How to Build the Relationship

• Collaborate on projects where metal roofers handle the roof installation, and your company ensures the gutters are custom-fitted to handle runoff from the metal roof.
• Educate metal roofers on how high-quality gutter systems protect metal roofs from potential water damage, improving the longevity of their work.

Example: A metal roofing company installs a new roof on a commercial building and hires you to provide a customized gutter solution that effectively handles the increased runoff. They get to move onto the next 10k to 25k metal roof, and you get to complete the rest of the water drainage system and earn a cool 3k to 10k based on the number of linear feet.

Gutter and Painter Referral Partnerships

Exterior painters often work on homes where gutters need attention. Old, rusted, or dirty gutters can detract from the fresh look of a newly painted house so painters may recommend gutter repair or replacement as part of the job.

How to Build the Relationship

• Create a bundled service offering with painters that includes a complete makeover of the exterior of the home, including fresh paint and a well-maintained gutter system.
• Offer flexible scheduling to align with painters’ project timelines, ensuring you can step in before or after the painting job.

Example: A painting company has a client preparing a home for sale. They bring you in to install new gutters that match the fresh paint job, enhancing curb appeal and potentially boosting the home’s market value.

Gutter and Landscaping Referral Partnerships

Landscapers frequently encounter water flow issues that stem from poor gutter drainage. Properly functioning gutters can protect a home’s foundation and prevent soil erosion, which is a big concern for landscapers working to maintain the aesthetics and health of their clients’ yards.

How to Build the Relationship

• Explain how quality gutters help landscapers manage water runoff and protect landscaping efforts, positioning yourself as a problem solver.
• Provide educational materials that landscapers can share with clients about the importance of gutter maintenance for landscape health.
• Another consideration is reselling gutter guards to the landscaper so they can install them. This way, you can profit from the guard with a markup.

Example: A landscaper is designing a custom backyard for a homeowner and notices drainage issues. They recommend installing or repairing the gutters to prevent future erosion and water buildup, enhancing the overall durability of their landscaping work.

Gutter and General Contractor Referral Partnerships

General contractors often oversee large-scale projects that involve multiple trades. They may subcontract gutter services when building or renovating homes, especially when the project involves extensive roofing or exterior upgrades.

How to Build the Relationship

• Attend local contractor networking events to meet general contractors and introduce your services.
• Build a reputation for reliability and quality so general contractors feel confident hiring you as a trusted subcontractor on their projects.

Example: A general contractor is building a new home and needs a gutter system installed after completing the roof. By consistently working with them, you become their go-to expert for all future gutter needs.

The Gutter and Home Builder Subcontracting Relationship

Home builders require various services during the construction process, including gutters to protect the new structure from water damage. Establishing a partnership with home builders can lead to consistent work on new construction projects.

How to Build the Relationship

• Offer custom gutter options that align with different architectural styles, providing builders with versatile solutions to meet various client needs.
• Provide timely project completion to ensure you fit into the larger home construction timeline without delays.

Example: A home builder is completing a development with multiple homes. They bring you to install a reliable, efficient gutter system on each home, offering clients a comprehensive, move-in-ready package. This can keep your team busy for a week, possibly months. While the margins may be lower, you can also retarget every homeowner for a review!

Gutter and HVAC Referral Partnerships

HVAC professionals often work in attics or crawl spaces and may see signs of water damage due to poor gutter systems. They can recommend gutter services to clients who need drainage solutions to protect their HVAC systems. If the damage is to the roof as well, then you can bring in the roofing company you just made a partnership with as well. 

How to Build the Relationship

• Offer cross-referrals so both businesses benefit from the relationship by recommending each other’s services when relevant.
• Educate HVAC technicians on the signs of gutter-related issues they might notice during inspections.

Example: An HVAC technician finds moisture in an attic space, likely due to a faulty gutter. They refer you for gutter maintenance,

ensuring the homeowner’s HVAC system remains safe from water damage.

The Gutter and Plumber Partnership

Poor drainage is often the cause of water issues around the home, which can lead to plumbing issues. Plumbers encountering these issues can refer clients to gutter specialists to address the root cause.

How to Build the Relationship

• Create referral cards for plumbers to pass along to clients needing gutter services.
• Share insights on water management to help plumbers understand when to recommend your services to their clients.

Example: A plumber fixing a basement leak recognizes the root cause of overflowing gutters. They refer the client to you to prevent future plumbing issues. 

Gutter and Handymen Partnerships

Handymen are generalists who tackle various small projects around a home. They often encounter minor gutter repairs or cleaning needs that may require more time or expertise. Partnering with handymen creates a reliable referral source for smaller gutter jobs.

How to Build the Relationship

• Offer handymen a small referral fee or incentive for recommending your services to clients who need more extensive gutter work.
• Be available for last-minute calls since many jobs may require quick repairs or adjustments.

Example: A handyman is cleaning out gutters and notices they’re old and leaky. Instead of taking on the more extensive repair, they refer you to the client, ensuring the homeowner gets expert service.

Tips for Building and Maintaining Strong Subcontractor Relationships

To succeed in subcontracting, fostering strong, long-lasting relationships with these businesses is essential. Here’s how:

• Be professional and timely: Respect project deadlines, communicate clearly, and follow up after each project to build trust.
• Create a win-win dynamic: Find ways to benefit your business and your partners through cross-referrals, bundled services, or promotional discounts.
• Stay engaged: Check in periodically with each partner, even if there aren’t active projects, to keep your services in mind.
• Build a reputation for quality: Ensure that each project you work on demonstrates the high standards your partners can confidently recommend.

By leveraging subcontracting as a growth strategy, you can expand your reach, secure more projects, and position your gutter business as a go-to service provider in your community. Building these strategic partnerships helps your business flourish, all while strengthening your local professional network and providing top-quality service to clients.

Subcontracting Opens Pathways for Acquisitions

As your subcontractor relationships grow, there may come a time when a trusted partner or contractor considers selling their business. This scenario presents a valuable growth opportunity for your gutter company. By acquiring an established partner business—such as roofing, painting, or landscaping - you can expand your services, enter new markets, and leverage the systems and client base that are already in place. Purchasing a partner business allows you to diversify your offerings, strengthen your local market presence, and increase revenue without the typical start-up challenges of building a new service line from scratch.

Why Acquisition is a Strategic Move

When you acquire a partner's business, you gain more than just new services—you inherit a system you already know well. Having worked closely with this partner, you understand their workflow, pricing model, client expectations, and operational processes. This familiarity makes the transition smoother for you and the existing team while clients experience minimal disruption in service quality.

Additionally, you benefit from an established client list, brand recognition, and reputation, which allows you to cross-sell your gutter services to their customer base and vice versa. The result is a broader, more comprehensive home improvement company that can handle multiple aspects of exterior home care, making you a one-stop solution for homeowners.

Steps to Acquiring a Partner Business

If you’re interested in pursuing acquisitions as part of your growth strategy, here’s a step-by-step approach to ensure a successful purchase:

1. Identify Potential Acquisition Partners Early
   Look for partners with whom you’ve developed a solid working relationship and whose business model, values, and quality align with yours. Consider roofing, painting, landscaping, and HVAC companies with whom you’ve collaborated on multiple projects and share mutual respect and trust.
2. Assess Business Health and Compatibility
   Before pursuing an acquisition, evaluate the business's financial health. Request financial statements, client satisfaction data, operational processes, and employee retention rates. It is essential to ensure the business aligns with your standards and has strong potential for continued success under your ownership.
3. Retain Existing Systems and Employees
   When acquiring a company, it is important to retain the existing systems, workflows, and even the original employees whenever possible. This approach maintains client continuity and preserves the company's knowledge base. Employees who feel valued and reassured are likelier to stay on board, contributing to a seamless transition and smooth integration.
4. Implement Cross-Selling Opportunities
   Acquiring a partner company offers the chance to promote your gutter services to the acquired company’s client base. Cross-sell your services during existing projects and offer discounts for clients who book multiple services. For example, a homeowner might get a discount on gutter installation if they also schedule roofing services, creating value and building loyalty.
5. Leverage Existing Brand Recognition
   Many acquired businesses have developed a positive reputation in their community. You can retain client loyalty by maintaining their brand identity—at least during the transition. Over time, you may rebrand the business under your gutter company’s umbrella or keep it separate to cater to a broader client base.
6. Use Existing Client and Vendor Relationships
   Partner businesses often have established relationships with clients and vendors, which can be extremely valuable for your growth. Leverage these connections to create new partnerships, negotiate better rates, and seamlessly introduce additional services.

Example Scenarios: Expanding Through Acquisition

1. Roofing Company Acquisition
You acquire a roofing company you’ve worked closely with for years. By retaining the roofing team and systems, you immediately gain the capability to offer roofing services to your gutter clients. The roofing company’s clients are also introduced to your gutter services, enhancing your revenue stream. With this acquisition, you can position your company as a comprehensive roofing and gutter solution.

2. Landscaping Company Acquisition
You acquired a landscaping company that previously referred clients to your gutter business. The landscaping company has an established client base that trusts its services, and by developing the industry, you can provide an expanded range of services for outdoor projects. You continue operating the landscaping team under the original brand name but introduce a seamless, bundled service model.

3. HVAC Company Acquisition
HVAC companies often encounter water management issues related to home insulation and humidity. By acquiring an HVAC business, you can access HVAC clients needing gutter solutions to protect their units from water damage. The HVAC technicians stay on, ensuring continuity and offering your existing and new clients a broader range of home improvement services.

Benefits of Acquiring Partner Companies

• Increased Revenue Streams: Each new service line, such as roofing or HVAC, introduces an additional source of revenue, diversifying your business and reducing dependency on a single service.
• Brand Strength and Market Presence: A multi-service company with well-established brands becomes more appealing to clients, who appreciate the convenience of a one-stop shop for their home improvement needs.
• Enhanced Cross-Promotion Opportunities: You can promote your gutter services to clients of the newly acquired business while offering discounts for bundled services.
• Cost-Effective Expansion: Acquiring an established company saves the costs of launching a new service line from scratch, such as marketing, client acquisition, and training.

Preparing Your Gutter Company for Future Acquisitions

If acquisitions become a regular part of your growth strategy, set your gutter business up for long-term success by implementing scalable systems and building an acquisition framework. Here are some tips:

• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establishing SOPs for your gutter services will facilitate the integration of new teams and systems with minimal disruption. SOPs ensure consistency, improve efficiency, and simplify cross-training new employees.
• Build a Strong Financial Foundation: Regularly evaluate your company’s financial health and maintain cash reserves to support acquisitions when opportunities arise. Financial readiness is essential to move quickly on acquisition deals.
• Develop a Plan for Brand Integration: Decide if acquired companies will retain their original branding or be rebranded under your company’s umbrella. Each approach has benefits; keeping the original brand may help maintain customer loyalty, while rebranding can streamline operations.
• Maintain Flexibility in Service Offerings: When acquiring new services, consider how they complement your existing offerings and how they can be bundled. Being adaptable allows you to present a customized and valuable service package to each client.

Acquiring partner businesses gives your gutter company a unique avenue for growth, diversification, and market dominance. By keeping familiar systems in place and seamlessly integrating these services, you can transform your gutter business into a comprehensive home improvement provider, delivering consistent value to customers and expanding your market reach. This approach strengthens your business and positions you as a trusted, multi-service provider in your community, driving sustained growth and profitability.



Let Us Help

Part of our monthly marketing packages for gutter companies includes creating the landing page for “partners” and helping you craft outreach emails and handouts to those respective referral partners. If you need help with acquisitions, we can also assist by reviewing their finances and marketing and helping you evaluate a fair purchase price.