How to Create Effective OOH Campaigns for Home Services Companies (Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians, Landscapers)
If you’re in the home services business—whether you’re a plumber, electrician, contractor, or landscaper—you know how important it is to stay top of mind in your local area. People don’t go looking for these services until they suddenly need them, and when they do, you want your name to be the one they remember.
That’s where out-of-home (OOH) advertising—especially billboards—can really shine. But if you’re going to invest in a billboard campaign, it needs to work hard for you. Here’s how to create OOH ads that actually bring in the calls.
1. Keep It Bold and Simple
Billboards aren’t brochures. They need to deliver a message in about five seconds (or less) while someone drives by. That means no small fonts, no paragraphs of text, and no confusing layouts.
Stick to:
One strong headline like: “Leaky Faucet? Call John’s Plumbing.”
Big, bold contact info (short website or phone number)
A clean, professional image or icon
Avoid listing every service you offer unless it’s only a few — save that for your website. Think of the billboard as a conversation starter.
Stick to the point like the idea below:
2. Show That You’re Trustworthy
You’re being invited into someone’s home. That requires trust. Your billboard should make people feel confident calling you.
Things that help:
A friendly photo of your team or service van
Mentioning if you’re licensed and insured
Longevity statements like “Serving Knoxville Since 2002”
Simple icons like a BBB logo, “24/7,” or “Family Owned”
All of these give peace of mind at a glance. People may not even consciously realize why they feel good about your ad—but they will.
Image courtesy of: Roland Digital Media
3. Make It Local
Local pride is real, and people love to support businesses in their own community. If you’re from the area, say so. If you serve a specific region, make it obvious.
Try headlines like:
“Birmingham’s Trusted Electrician”
“Middle Tennessee’s Go-To HVAC Team”
“Greensboro Lawns Start Here”
This builds instant familiarity and relevance.
4. Include a Clear Call to Action
Your billboard should tell people what to do next. Don’t make them guess. Whether you want them to call, visit your website, or schedule online, be direct about it.
Good CTAs:
“Call Now for Fast Repairs”
“Book Online at RapidHVAC.com”
“Free Estimates – Call Today”
Short and sweet is the key here.
5. Stay in Sight
One billboard is great. But if you can, consider running multiple boards or rotating digital ads to stay top of mind.
You don’t have to go big right away—just be consistent. Show up on the roads people travel every day, and they’ll start to remember you. When the AC breaks or a pipe bursts, you’ll be the first one they think of.
6. Track What’s Working
Even though people can’t click on a billboard, that doesn’t mean you can’t track its effectiveness. Use a phone number dedicated to your ad or a landing page URL so you can see how many inquiries are coming from your campaign.
Also, just ask! Train your team to say, “How did you hear about us?” and keep track of the answers. You might be surprised how many say, “I saw your billboard.”
Final Thoughts
OOH advertising is one of the best ways home service companies can build brand awareness and earn trust in their community. It works quietly but powerfully—reminding folks who to call when they need help fast.
Keep your design clear, your message local, and your tone trustworthy. That’s the recipe for a billboard that gets results.
