How a Landscaper Filled His Entire Spring Schedule with One Mailer Drop
Case Study
How a Landscaper Filled His Entire Spring Schedule with One Mailer Drop
Real results from a real landscaping contractor in Grimsby
The Situation
Every year was the same cycle for this landscaping contractor in the Niagara Region. December through February was dead. March was a scramble — calling past clients, posting on Facebook, printing flyers to hand out at coffee shops. By mid-April, he would finally have enough work to keep his crew busy. But he lost six weeks of billable time every single spring. His crew of three cost him $4,800/week in wages. Six weeks of lost productivity = $28,800 in overhead with no revenue. He needed a way to fill the spring schedule before spring arrived.
The Strategy
We mailed 2,500 doors in the first week of February — a full six weeks before most landscapers start marketing. The target areas were established residential neighbourhoods in Grimsby and south Lincoln where properties have large yards and mature landscaping. The mailer featured:
- Headline: "Book Your Spring Cleanup Before March 15 — Save 15%"
- Offer: Early-bird discount on spring cleanup packages
- Season package pricing: Spring cleanup + weekly maintenance bundles with clear monthly pricing
- Photos: Before/after transformations from the previous year's jobs
The Results
The first call came within 7 days. By March 1, the phone had rung 31 times.
- 31 calls from the 2,500-door drop
- 22 on-site estimates booked (71% conversion from call to estimate)
- 14 contracts signed before March 15 (64% close rate)
- 8 spring cleanup + season-long weekly maintenance packages ($3,200 avg) = $25,600
- 4 spring cleanup + hardscaping projects (interlock patio, retaining wall) ($4,100 avg) = $16,400
- 2 spring cleanup only ($2,500 avg) = $5,000
$47,000 Revenue
from a $1,997 Neighbourhood Takeover campaign
2,500 doors → 31 calls → 14 jobs → 23.5x ROI
What Happened Next
Nine of the 14 clients signed annual maintenance agreements, committing to weekly service through the growing season. That is approximately $28,800 in recurring annual revenue — guaranteed income he can count on every year. He now mails every February like clockwork. He also added a fall campaign in September targeting the same area for leaf removal and winterization services. His exact words: "I used to dread February. Now it is my most important month — because that is when I set up the whole year."
Key Takeaways for Landscaping Contractors
February is the single most important month for landscaper direct mail in Ontario. Mail before anyone else thinks about marketing.
The early-bird discount creates genuine urgency — homeowners know that good landscapers book up fast.
Before/after photos on the mailer dramatically increase response rates for landscaping.
Season-long package pricing on the mailer pre-qualifies leads for recurring revenue, not just one-time cleanups.
9 of 14 clients became recurring annual clients. One campaign created $28,800 in annual recurring revenue.
The Neighbourhood Takeover at 2,500 doors provided saturation coverage — the contractor became the known name in those postal walks.
Ready to Get Results Like This?
This landscaping contractor turned $1,997 into $47,000. The same packages are available for your trade and your territory. Every campaign includes professional design, 14pt card stock printing with UV coating, Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail delivery, and tracking.
| Package | Doors | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Strike | 250 | $397 | Want proof before committing |
| Block Buster (Most Popular) | 500 | $647 | Best results per dollar |
| Street Sweeper | 1,000 | $1,197 | Serious about growth |
| Neighbourhood Takeover | 2,500 | $1,997 | OWN your territory |
500 doors, custom design, Canada Post delivery, tracking included
Your Territory Is Waiting
One contractor per trade per area. Lock yours before a competitor does.
Take the 5-Minute Quiz Call TJ: 289-228-7021Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does direct mail work for contractors?
Yes. Direct mail consistently delivers 2-5% response rates for home service contractors, outperforming digital ads. At Niagara Stands Out, our contractor clients across the Niagara Region typically see 5-10 inbound calls per 500-piece campaign, making it one of the most reliable lead sources available.
Is direct mailing worth it for your contracting business?
Absolutely. A well-targeted 500-door campaign costs under $700 and typically generates 5-10 qualified calls. That is a cost-per-lead of $70-$140, far below HomeAdvisor or Angi. NSO handles the entire campaign so you can focus on closing jobs in your service area.
Should I stick it out with direct mail?
Consistency wins. Most contractors quit after one drop, but data shows response rates increase 25-50% by the third mailing to the same neighbourhood. NSO recommends committing to at least three monthly campaigns before judging results. Repetition builds trust in your local market.
What is the best month for direct mail marketing?
March through May and September through November are peak seasons for contractor mailers. Homeowners plan spring renovations in March and pre-winter repairs in September. NSO helps Niagara Region contractors time campaigns to match seasonal demand for maximum response rates.
Has anyone used Direct-Mail RSVP?
Several platforms exist, but results depend on targeting and design quality. At NSO, we handle everything from mailing list creation to professional design and Canada Post delivery. Our Niagara Region clients prefer a done-for-you service over managing multiple vendors themselves.
Ready to Get More Calls?
See how many leads your area can generate. Direct mail campaigns starting at $397 for 250 doors — design, printing, and Canada Post delivery included.
Serving Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington & the GTA
