Ask who else gets this homeowner’s request
Give both providers the same question in writing. “If a homeowner in one of my ZIP codes asks about a detached ADU today, how many builders can buy that exact inquiry, and can anyone buy it later?” Leadhesive sells its exclusive inquiry to one builder. The homeowner can still collect bids independently. For a shared offer, get the maximum buyer count and find out whether everyone receives it at the same time.
Compare the cost of a site visit your estimator actually makes
Assume one provider quotes $150 per exclusive inquiry and another quotes $75 per shared inquiry. With a $7,500 budget, you could buy 50 exclusive inquiries or 100 shared. If the exclusive order produces ten held site visits, each costs $750 in lead spend. The shared order needs ten held visits to match that figure.
At eight held visits, the shared order costs $937.50 per visit. At twelve, it costs $625. These are examples for comparing quotes. Enter your own prices and results before drawing a conclusion. If the extra 50 inquiries each take ten minutes of intake, the shared order also uses eight hours and twenty minutes more staff time.
Use the same definition of a held visit for both providers. A calendar booking that cancels on the morning of the visit belongs in your cancellation count. Once proposals have had time to close, compare signed projects as well.
Have each provider price the same three records
- A homeowner submits twice.
- Ask how the provider identifies duplicates, how far back it checks and what happens if you already paid for this homeowner’s first request.
- The phone works, but the project is outside your territory.
- Ask which location controls eligibility. Put the agreed property ZIP codes in the order and have the provider explain the review deadline, evidence required and credit terms.
- The homeowner wants drawings and your team only builds from plans.
- Ask whether the order can specify the design stage, how that stage is established, and which details your estimator needs to confirm. Record any difference in available volume.
Save the written answers beside each quote. When your intake team reports a problem, it can point to the specific order term. Review Leadhesive’s lead quality and review terms.
Decide which offer to renew
Tag each order separately in your CRM. Compare the same territory, project mix and time since delivery. For each source, record net lead spend after confirmed credits, intake hours, held visits and signed contracts. A source that ties on spend per visit can still win on staff time or on how many visits reach a signed job. Calculate the maximum lead price your margins can support.