How BuildFolio Leads Work: Preview, Claim, Profit
No shared leads. No monthly minimums. Preview every lead for free, then claim the ones you want based on how ready the homeowner is to buy.
TL;DR
Homeowners use BuildFolio’s free calculators to get satellite-measured estimates for their home projects. When they submit their info, you see a preview with their project type, city, and intent level. You choose which leads to claim — paying $0 for curious browsers up to $100 for ASAP buyers. Claimed leads include full name, email, phone, address, property measurements, and estimated budget.
Three Steps From Search to Lead
The lead claiming system is designed to let you control your cost-per-lead and pick the homeowners most likely to book.
Preview (Free)
Every lead appears in your dashboard with an anonymized preview: project type (roof, fence, driveway, paint), city, intent level, and estimated project value. No cost to browse.
Claim (Pay by Intent)
When you see a lead you want, click “Claim.” You pay based on the homeowner’s stated intent — from $0 for curious browsers to $100 for ASAP buyers. You get full contact info instantly.
Close (Your Way)
Call, text, or email the homeowner directly. Their satellite property data and cost estimate are included so you can quote accurately without a site visit. BuildFolio stays out of the way.
Lead Pricing by Homeowner Intent
You pay per lead based on how ready the homeowner is to hire. Curious browsers are free. Urgent buyers cost more — but they’re more likely to sign a contract today.
| Homeowner Intent | What It Means | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Curious Low Intent | Just browsing, researching options, no timeline | $0 |
| Researching Low-Med | Actively comparing costs, 3-6 month timeline | $10 |
| Needs Repairs Medium | Has a known issue, wants estimates in 1-3 months | $25 |
| Insurance Claim Medium-High | Storm damage or insurance claim, needs contractor approval | $50 |
| Getting Quotes High Intent | Actively collecting contractor quotes, ready to compare | $75 |
| ASAP Highest Intent | Needs work done immediately, ready to sign this week | $100 |
No monthly minimums. No contracts. You only pay when you claim a lead. Unclaimed leads remain anonymous.
What’s Included in Every Claimed Lead
When you claim a lead, you get everything you need to quote the job — often without a site visit.
Full Contact Info
Name, email, phone number, and full property address. Reach out immediately via your preferred method.
Satellite Measurements
Property dimensions measured by AI from satellite imagery. Roof area, building footprint, lot boundaries — depending on trade.
Cost Estimate
The 3-tier estimate (Budget, Standard, Premium) the homeowner already saw. You know their expectations before you call.
Intent Level
The homeowner’s self-reported timeline and readiness. ASAP buyers are ready to sign. Curious browsers need nurturing.
Submission Timestamp
When the homeowner submitted their request. Recency matters — the first contractor to call typically wins.
Project Type
Roof replacement, fence installation, driveway paving, exterior painting, solar panels, gutters, or home value assessment.
Premium Territory Exclusivity
Free accounts compete with other contractors in their area. Premium members ($39/mo) get exclusive territory rights.
How Territory Exclusivity Works
When you upgrade to Premium, you select your service area by ZIP code. Leads in your territory are shown to you first with a claiming window before they’re available to other contractors.
- Free Tier: See all leads in your state. Compete on speed to claim.
- Premium ($39/mo): 24-hour exclusive claiming window for leads in your territory.
- Territory size: Based on your ZIP codes — from a single neighborhood to a metro area.
- No overlap: Only one Premium contractor per trade per territory.
Free vs Premium: What You Get
| Feature | Free | Premium ($39/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Preview leads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Claim leads (pay per lead) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite property data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Territory exclusivity | ✗ | ✓ |
| Priority lead access (24h window) | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Photo-to-Quote | ✗ | ✓ |
| SMS follow-up automation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lead capture widget for your site | ✗ | ✓ |
| Invoicing and payments | ✗ | ✓ |
Supported Trades
BuildFolio generates leads across these home improvement categories. Satellite measurement accuracy varies by trade.
Roofing
Roof replacement and repair leads with satellite-measured roof area, pitch estimate, and material recommendations. See the roof cost calculator
Solar
Solar panel installation leads with roof orientation, estimated panel count, and energy offset projections. See the solar cost calculator
Gutters
Gutter replacement leads with perimeter measurements and material options. See the gutter cost calculator
Exterior Painting
Exterior painting leads with building square footage, stories, and surface area estimates. See the painting cost calculator
Fencing
Fence installation leads with lot perimeter estimates and material preferences. See the fence cost calculator
Driveways
Driveway paving and replacement leads with driveway area estimates and material options. See the driveway cost calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
How are leads different from Angi or Thumbtack?
On Angi and Thumbtack, leads are shared with 3-5 contractors. On BuildFolio, when you claim a lead, it’s yours exclusively. You also get satellite property measurements and the homeowner’s cost expectations upfront — data that marketplace leads don’t include.
What if I claim a lead and they don’t respond?
Lead claiming is non-refundable because the homeowner’s contact info is revealed immediately. However, BuildFolio’s intent scoring helps you avoid this: $0 “Curious” leads are low-risk for testing, while $75-$100 “Quotes” and “ASAP” leads have the highest response rates.
Is there a monthly minimum or contract?
No. Free accounts have no monthly cost and no minimum claims. Premium is $39/mo with no annual contract — cancel anytime. You only pay per-lead costs when you actively claim a lead.
How quickly should I contact a claimed lead?
As fast as possible. Industry data shows that contractors who respond within 5 minutes are 10x more likely to convert than those who wait an hour. Premium members can enable SMS auto-response to instantly acknowledge the homeowner while you prepare your quote.
Can I set up automatic claiming for high-intent leads?
Not yet, but it’s on the roadmap. Currently, you manually review and claim each lead from your dashboard. Premium territory members get a 24-hour exclusive window, so there’s no rush to claim before competitors.
Start Claiming Leads Today
Sign up free. Preview leads in your area. Claim the ones you want. No contracts, no monthly minimums.
Are you a homeowner? Try our free tools: