I'm Steve Mlynek, CEO of HomeBuild in Chicago. Over 20 years I've built one of the area's top window and door companies--we're Pella Platinum Elite (less than 1% of contractors nationwide) and Andersen Certified. Happy to talk about what actually closes six-figure remodeling contracts. The financing conversation is where most contractors lose deals. We partnered with lenders to offer 25 months at 0% interest, and our close rate on $15K+ projects jumped about 40%. When homeowners see "$200/month" instead of "$15,000," suddenly replacing all their windows becomes possible this year instead of "someday." I tell every contractor: if you're not offering financing, you're leaving money on the table. Online reputation isn't just nice-to-have anymore--it's your closer. We had a customer (Loretta Luna) write that her house is "so much quieter now" after our install. That single review has been referenced by at least a dozen prospects who signed contracts. People trust other homeowners way more than they trust us, so I personally visit every jobsite at start and finish to make sure we earn those five stars. The proposal quality piece is underrated. We don't just email a PDF with numbers--we do virtual consultations on Microsoft Teams where homeowners can screen-share pictures of their current windows, and we walk them through exactly what Pella or Andersen models will look like on their home. That face-time before we even show up builds trust that generic proposals never will.
Name: Josiah Roche Title: Fractional CMO Company: JRR Marketing Website: https://josiahroche.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahroche I've helped contractors get more large projects by improving how they show trust and explain value. So I focus on making proposals clear and easy to follow because that helps clients feel more confident. I also work on speeding up responses since quick follow-ups show professionalism. One builder I worked with saw a 30 percent increase in closed quotes after we added clear financing options and reduced response time. So my approach is all about simple, practical steps that make people buy in faster without adding extra layers of work.
I'd be delighted to participate in Acorn Finance's interview to share insights from my work coaching contractors and remodeling teams on winning high-value contracts through trust-building strategies and professional presentation. Throughout my consulting career, I've developed frameworks that help contractors translate technical expertise into compelling proposals while emphasizing financing options that remove cost barriers for homeowners. My approach centers on transforming client perception through polished communication, responsive service, and strategic use of online reputation—elements that consistently help contractors secure premium projects even in competitive markets. I look forward to discussing how these proven strategies can help your audience build stronger sales processes that lead to bigger contracts and more satisfied clients.
Callum Gracie, Founder, Otto Media, www.ottomedia.com.au https://www.linkedin.com/in/callum-gracie (for scheduling an online meet, please reach out to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadofficial ) I'm a digital marketing strategist who coaches contractors and service-based businesses on hyperlocal marketing. At Otto Media, I help remodelers, plumbers, and home-service contractors. We use local SEO and reputation management. These tactics help them outshine bigger national competitors. I focus on real-world trust signals that impact client choices. This includes proposal quality, responsiveness, online reviews, and financing talks. I'd be glad to share practical insights into how top contractors position themselves as the obvious choice in their market.
At Origin Web Studios, we've worked closely with home remodeling contractors across Texas and beyond, helping them optimize their digital presence and proposal strategy to win high-ticket projects. I've coached contractors on using trust-driven landing pages, streamlined CRM workflows, and clear financing communication to turn leads into contracts. Our clients regularly cite improved close rates, better client perception, and stronger reviews as a result. I'd be happy to share what separates the average contractor from the ones closing 6-figure deal