Boost Your Contracting Leads: Get Featured in Google’s AI Overviews

By Dipa Gandhi

 

 

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Contractors today are fighting for digital visibility more than ever. When homeowners search online, they want fast, clear answers, and Google is reshaping how those answers are delivered. With the rollout of AI overviews, contractors who once relied solely on traditional search results now face a new challenge: getting featured in these AI-generated summaries.

If your business isn’t showing up, you’re missing prime exposure to potential leads. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can position your contracting business to benefit.

The Challenge Contractors Face

AI overviews change the playing field. Instead of simply ranking websites, Google uses AI to compile summarized answers from multiple sources and display them right at the top. This means:

• Less reliance on blue links: Homeowners may get their answer directly from the AI overview.

• More competition for fewer spots: Only a handful of businesses or sources make it into these AI-generated summaries.

• Potential drop in visibility: Contractors not optimized for AI overviews risk losing clicks—even if they had strong SEO before.

Consider a roofer in Dallas who spent years building strong SEO to rank on page one. Suddenly, AI overviews pull in top resources, and his website is nowhere to be found in the summary. While competitors get highlighted, his calls drop.

Why This Matters for Your Business

Being included in AI overviews isn’t just about vanity, it’s about lead flow. When you’re highlighted, you’re essentially positioned as a trusted authority. This can translate to:

• More leads at lower cost: Instead of paying high Google Ads costs (where roofing leads can exceed $100 per click in some cities), appearing in overviews gives you organic visibility.

• Higher trust from homeowners: If Google selects your content, it signals credibility to potential customers.

• Staying ahead of competitors: Many contractors are still ignoring AI-driven search. Getting in early can give you the edge.

Think of it this way: if 10 homeowners in your area see the AI overview and you’re the only local electrician mentioned, you’ve won the first impression battle.

How Contractors Can Increase Their Chances of Being Featured

Getting into AI overviews requires a smart blend of SEO, content strategy, and trust signals. Here are key steps:

• Answer homeowner questions directly

  • Create content that addresses common queries like “How much does roof repair cost in Phoenix?” or “What’s the difference between pressure washing and power washing?”

  • Use clear, structured language so AI can easily extract answers.

• Add a dedicated FAQ section to your website

  • FAQs are often pulled directly into AI summaries.

  • Include location-based and service-specific questions (e.g., “Do plumbers in Miami charge extra for emergency calls?”).

• Publish unique blog content

  • Avoid generic, cookie-cutter posts. Write original blogs that reflect your expertise and local knowledge.

  • Example: Instead of “Top 5 Roofing Materials,” write “The Best Roofing Materials for Storm-Prone Areas in Florida.”

• Prioritize authority and expertise

  • Highlight your credentials, years in business, and certifications.

  • Share case studies of real jobs you’ve completed. Google’s AI favors trustworthy, expert content.

• Leverage structured data (schema markup)

  • Add schema for services, reviews, and FAQs to your website. This helps Google understand your content better.

• Encourage authentic reviews

  • A painting company with hundreds of recent, detailed reviews stands out as more trustworthy than one with only a few. Reviews often feed into Google’s decision-making for AI results.

• Maintain strong SEO practices

  • AI overviews are built on the backbone of traditional SEO. Fast-loading sites, mobile optimization, and keyword-rich pages still matter.

• Publish localized content

  • A plumber writing “5 Common Plumbing Issues in Miami Homes” is more likely to be included in local AI results than one with generic national content.

Real-Life Example

A landscaping company in Denver doubled its online leads in just six months by shifting strategy. Instead of writing generic blogs like “Best Plants for Your Yard,” they focused on unique, answer-based, local content:

• “How to Prevent Weeds in Denver Lawns”

• “Average Cost of Sprinkler Installation in Colorado”

• “Do Colorado Sprinkler Systems Need to Be Winterized?” (added to their FAQ page)

By pairing these posts with structured data and earning consistent reviews, they began appearing in AI overviews. As a result, they saw not only higher visibility but also a 35% increase in calls from local homeowners who found them directly in AI summaries.

Taking the Next Step

AI-driven search isn’t a trend—it’s the future. Contractors who adapt now will have a clear advantage. The key is creating authoritative, localized, FAQ-rich, and unique content while maintaining the fundamentals of SEO and building trust signals.

If your contracting business is ready to win more leads from AI overviews, it’s time to take action. Start by reviewing your website content, updating your FAQs with service-specific answers, publishing unique blog posts, and encouraging authentic reviews from recent customers.