Pay-per-lead apps for contractors
Updated October 25, 2026
Short answer
Most lead apps charge pros per lead whether or not it turns into a job, and many leads are shared with several competitors. What matters is cost per booked job. Look for platforms that cap competition per lead, show the price before you pay, and refund leads that go nowhere. GigHuntr caps every job at 5 quotes, shows each lead's credit cost first, and refunds credits automatically when a customer cancels or never opens your quote.
What leads cost
| GigHuntr | Thumbtack | Angi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price shown before you pay | Yes, per lead | Budget settings, charged on contact | Varies |
| Typical cost per lead | From about 2 to 13 credits; credits are $0.83 to $1.00 each | Third-party estimates roughly $15 to $80+ | Third-party estimates roughly $15 to $85+ |
| Pros per lead | Max 5 | Often several | Often several |
| Refunds | Automatic on cancelled or unopened requests | Per charge, on request | On request |
| Subscription | None | None required | Membership commonly cited around $300 a year |
Thumbtack and Angi do not publish rate cards; their figures are third-party estimates as of October 2026.
How to judge any lead source
- Cost per booked job = total lead spend divided by jobs won. Track it monthly per platform.
- Speed matters: the first reasonable quote wins a large share of jobs.
- Fewer competitors per lead raises your close rate more than a lower lead price does.
- Read the refund rules before you buy.
How GigHuntr works for pros
- Free profile, no subscription, no monthly minimum.
- Leads only in your categories and travel radius, with signals: Requested you, Be the first, Urgent, Verified phone, Detailed, Repeat customer.
- Credit packs: 20 for $19.99, 50 for $44.99, 120 for $99.99. Credits never expire.
- Customers pay up front; you are paid the job price minus 10% when they confirm, or 72 hours after you mark it done. Tips are 100% yours.
Questions
Policies vary and most require a request per charge. GigHuntr refunds credits automatically if the customer cancels the request or it expires without your quote being opened.
Yes. On GigHuntr there is no subscription: you buy credits when you need them, and they never expire.
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