Home services marketing in Northwest Philly: postcards for plumbers, HVAC, roofers and landscapers

Short answer: homeowners often keep a good home services postcard until they need it. Show that you are local, licensed and insured, add one simple offer, and make it easy to call or scan. If you do home improvement work in Pennsylvania, put your PA HIC registration number on the ad.

Why postcards fit home services

Nobody needs a plumber until the pipe bursts. A postcard that lands in every home on your routes can sit on the fridge or in a drawer until that day. Northwest Philly neighborhoods like Roxborough and Chestnut Hill have many older homes, which tend to need regular repairs and upkeep.

Trust signals to show

Your company name and a real photo of you, your truck or your crew.
"Licensed and insured," if true, plus any trade licenses you hold.
Your PA HIC number, if it applies to you (see below).
That you are local, like "serving Roxborough and Manayunk," only if you really do.

The PA HIC number rule

Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act says registered home improvement contractors must include their registration number in their advertisements, contracts, estimates and proposals. The number is shown as "PA" plus your number, like PA123456, and it must be clear and easy to see (PA Office of Attorney General: HIC registration FAQ). Some contractors are exempt, such as those doing less than $5,000 of home improvement work a year. Check the Attorney General's FAQ if you are not sure whether it applies to you.

Seasonal offer ideas

HVAC: a spring AC tune-up or a fall furnace check at a set price.
Plumbing: $40 off a first service call, or a water heater check.
Roofing: a free roof and gutter inspection after winter.
Landscaping: spring cleanup or fall leaf removal for new customers.

Keep it to one offer with an end date. Our offer guide explains why.

Track your calls

Ask every caller how they heard about you. Use a code word on the card and a QR code that goes to a booking page. Our guide on tracking postcard results walks through it.

One business per category

Only one plumber, one HVAC company, one roofer and one landscaper per card. When your category’s taken, it’s gone until the next card. Your $349 founding spot includes design, printing and USPS delivery to about 5,000 homes. One business per category. Every ad gets a tracked QR code and a mention code.

Claim a spot See pricing

What it costs

USPS lists EDDM Retail postage at $0.26 a piece (USPS Every Door Direct Mail). A shared card splits printing and postage across 16 businesses. See pricing or plug in your average job size in the ROI calculator.

Common questions

Do I need my PA HIC number on a postcard ad?

If you are a registered home improvement contractor in Pennsylvania, yes. The Attorney General's office says the registration number must be included in advertisements, shown as PA followed by your number.

Do postcards work for plumbers and HVAC companies?

They can, because homeowners often keep a useful card until they need the service. Results vary, so track calls with a code word or QR code and judge it over several mailings.

What is a good postcard offer for home services?

One clear, seasonal offer with an end date, such as a set-price tune-up or a dollar amount off a first service call.

Can two plumbers be on the same Mailbox Finds card?

No. Each card has one business per category.

Written by Kelly Claiborne, founder of Mailbox Finds. Prices quoted from public sources linked above; check them before you budget.