If you’re a contractor, landscaper, painter, roofer, or run any type of home services business, you’re no stranger to the challenge of finding high-quality local leads. So when it’s time to get your name in front of more homeowners, you might be asking:
Should I use Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) or stick with traditional direct mail?
Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your business—and your bottom line.
First, What’s the Difference?
Traditional Direct Mail requires:
-
A mailing list (or buying one)
-
A mailing permit
-
A professional mail house to handle sorting and delivery
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) simplifies the process:
-
No mailing list needed
-
No permit required
-
Choose delivery routes by ZIP code or neighborhood
-
Lower postage costs
EDDM allows you to reach every household on a carrier route, making it ideal for local saturation—and especially effective for home service businesses that serve specific neighborhoods.
What Home Services Businesses Really Want: Leads
According to our 2024 Home Improvement & Construction Marketing Survey, the #1 challenge facing home services pros is lead generation—and 96% describe market demand as “high” or “moderate”. That means your customers are out there. You just need to reach them first.
That’s where EDDM shines.
Why EDDM Works for Home Services
Here’s what makes EDDM a standout for home pros:
-
Hyperlocal Targeting: Only want to reach homes in one neighborhood with older roofs or high-value properties? Use USPS route mapping to handpick where your mailers land.
-
Budget-Friendly: EDDM postage rates are significantly cheaper—starting at just 39¢ per piece when mailing 50,000 oversized postcards.
-
Big Format, Big Impact: Larger postcard sizes like 6.25×11″ or 8.5×11″ help you stand out in the mailbox—especially when you feature bold imagery of your work.
-
Fast Setup: Many Taradel customers report launching their campaigns in just a few clicks—and getting support from our experts when needed.
💬 “The Taradel platform is easy to use. Our business loves the economic efficiency of the EDDM service.” – JM, Painting Services
Learn more about EDDM for home services here.
When Traditional Direct Mail Wins
There are still times when traditional direct mail might make more sense:
-
You want precise targeting (ex: only homeowners with swimming pools or specific income levels)
-
You’re mailing infrequently or with highly personalized content
-
You’re running B2B campaigns (EDDM is residential-focused)
But for local lead generation? EDDM is hard to beat.
Real-World Results Back It Up
When home services companies combine EDDM with digital ads, they see even better results:
-
68% increase in website visits
-
63% higher response rates
-
40% higher conversion rates
(Source: USPS, EDDM Best Practices Report)
That means more calls, more quotes, and more jobs booked.
Our Recommendation
If your business thrives on local visibility, predictable lead flow, and cost-effective outreach, EDDM is the clear winner. It’s especially powerful when paired with email, social, or display ads as part of a multichannel marketing plan.
Need help getting started? You’re not alone. Our expert team is here to help with everything from design to delivery—and we’re just a click away.
Boom! You’re one step closer to being the local name everyone knows.
Let’s make it happen.
