Trades & home services
For builders, electricians, plumbers and home improvement businesses, most new work still comes down to trust: recommendations, reviews, and a website that looks like you know what you're doing.
With over 30 years of commercial marketing experience, including hands-on work with trades and home services businesses across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, I help you look as professional online as you are on site.
I understand the challenges trades and home services face
Owner-operators are usually wearing every hat: running the jobs, managing the team, and quoting new work, all at once. Marketing gets pushed to evenings and weekends, if it happens at all.
Many businesses have also grown without their branding catching up. Word of mouth got you this far, but as the team's grown, the branding, van livery and website haven't kept pace, and it shows.
On top of that, you're often competing against bigger, better-funded rivals. National franchises and larger firms are outspending you on ads and appearing above you in local search results, even when your work is better.
How I can help
For owner-operators, I can take marketing off your plate entirely, running it as a fractional partner, setting up simple systems for collecting genuine reviews and referrals, and building a website that keeps working for you even when you're on a job.
For growing teams, I create consistent branding across vehicles, uniforms, signage and digital, and set up a simple content plan so the business looks active and current online.
For businesses facing bigger competitors, I sharpen local SEO so you show up first for the searches that matter most, and build messaging that plays to trust and reputation, not price alone.
Marketing services I offer
Fractional Marketing Director
Senior marketing leadership without adding to your headcount.
WordPress Development and Technical SEO
A fast website that actually ranks for local searches.
Brand and Graphic Design
Consistent branding across vehicles, signage and digital.
Marketing Audits and Reviews
An honest look at what's working, and what isn't.
Why work with me
I bring 30+ years of commercial experience, including hands-on work with trades businesses across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. My delivery is hands-on too: I build the website and design the brand myself, rather than just writing a plan and leaving. And because I'm based in Stroud, I understand the local market and your competitors first-hand.
Businesses I've worked with
I work with many different types of business, including builders and building contractors, electricians, plumbers and heating engineers, landscapers and groundworks contractors, roofers, kitchen and bathroom fitters, home improvement and renovation companies, and property maintenance firms.
FAQs
Do you understand the trades sector, or just marketing in general?
I don't have time to be involved in marketing meetings every week. Is that a problem?
How quickly will I see results from marketing?
Do I need a full rebrand, or can we just tidy up what I've already got?
Can you help with online reviews, or just the website and branding?
What if I've been let down by a previous marketing agency or freelancer?
Do you only work with larger trades businesses, or sole traders too?
What clients say
Don't just take my word for it
Keeps us ahead of the marketplace.
Steve Hutton has been actively involved with the design and marketing of our business.
His professionalism, enthusiasm and ability to come up with constant new ideas keep us ahead of the marketplace.
I would recommend him to any company looking for new ideas and forward-thinking skills.
Managing Director
Producing great results
We have regularly used Steve as a consultant over the past couple of years.
When we initially asked Steve to help, he quickly identified areas of our business that was not performing, like most businesses we were too close to notice the changes that could be made.
His fresh and creative thinking has helped FleetCheck’s marketing get on track and is producing great results.
Founder and managing director
Helpful in giving me fresh ideas
I found Steve very helpful in giving me fresh ideas and getting a whole new look for my business.
My business brand and the new website is now perfect.
I will definitely be using his services again.
Owner
Ready to get your marketing off your to-do list?
Get in touch and let's have a brief, no-pressure conversation about what your business needs.
Book your slot, call me directly on 01666 817151 or email hello@stevehutton.com