Google Ads campaigns ramp as the algorithm learns. Month 1 typically produces ~30% of full performance. Plan cash flow around that curve.
Month 01 · Learning
30% performance
Booked Jobs
--
Revenue
--
Algorithm is gathering conversion data. Expect higher CPL and lower volume in the first 3-4 weeks.
Month 02 · Ramping
70% performance
Booked Jobs
--
Revenue
--
Bid strategy is optimizing. Volume and CPL improving week over week as conversion signals accumulate.
Month 03 · Full Speed
100% performance
Booked Jobs
--
Revenue
--
Campaigns running at projected efficiency. Good baseline for scaling budget and expanding keyword sets.
Free for Contractors
Want us to build and run your Google Ads campaigns?
Real data from your market. Wasted spend identified. Action plan included. No commitment.
Got it. We will be in touch within 1 business day.
How This Calculator Works
The CPC benchmarks come from aggregated data across 800+ managed Google Ads accounts in US contractor markets. Market multipliers reflect real pricing differences between small, mid-size, and metro areas. The calculator models the full funnel from click to booked job, then applies landing page quality, ad scheduling, and negative keyword coverage as multipliers on top.
Why Cost Per Click Varies by Industry
Google Ads runs a real-time auction. When more contractors bid on the same keywords, CPC climbs. Roofing averages around $35 per click because roof replacements are high-ticket and competition is fierce. Carpet cleaning and house cleaning average $8 because ticket values are lower and fewer competitors chase the same terms.
Market size compounds this effect. A plumber in San Francisco pays roughly 25% more per click than the same search in a mid-size city. Small and rural markets get the reverse benefit.
The Hidden Cost, Wasted Clicks Without Negative Keywords
Without negative keywords, your ads show for searches that will never convert. A plumber might pay $22 for someone searching "plumbing jobs near me" or "DIY plumbing repair." That click is pure waste. Comprehensive negative keyword lists typically cut wasted clicks by 25-35%.
No negatives: expect 25-35% of clicks to be wasted.
Basic list: filters the obvious terms, drops waste to 8-10%.
Comprehensive: near-zero waste with 200+ industry-specific negatives.
Landing Page Quality Changes Everything
The same ad spend produces wildly different results depending on where you send traffic. A basic website might convert 5-8% of clicks. An optimized landing page with trust signals and a single clear action can hit 18-25%. That is the single biggest lever in the whole funnel.
Google Ads vs LSA, Which Should You Run?
LSA typically produces lower cost per lead and higher-intent calls. Google Ads gives you more control over targeting, ad copy, and keyword selection, and often pushes more volume. Most contractors we manage run both. Use our LSA ROI Calculator to see what the same budget would produce through Local Services Ads.
How to Improve Your Google Ads Economics
Negative keywords: build and maintain a comprehensive list. Review search terms weekly for the first month, then monthly.
Landing pages: send traffic to dedicated pages with a single CTA, not your homepage.
Ad scheduling: run ads during peak intent windows, not 24/7.
Call answer rate: missing calls kills ROI faster than any other lever. Staff phones or run an answering service during ad hours.
Conversion tracking: set up call and form tracking so Google can optimize bids toward booked jobs, not just clicks.