Porch leads cost for contractors: how pros pay
Porch sells leads to professionals. Its own pages say you can buy leads one by one, set a monthly budget, or do both, and that the number of pros who can respond to a request is limited. A directory listing is a different thing: a page about your business at a flat price, or free, with no charge per lead. Below is what Porch says about itself, then how a listing compares.
What Porch says, in its own words
Each line is quoted from Porch's own pages, as we read them in October 2026. Follow the link to see it in place.
Pros can pay per lead, by monthly budget, or both.
“Buy leads individually, set a monthly budget and receive leads automatically, or combine both options.”
The price of each lead is the one shown on the Porch platform.
“The price for each Lead will be the price for such Lead indicated by the Platform.”
Only a limited number of pros can respond to one request.
“The number of opportunities available to respond to a particular Project Request is limited, and these opportunities are allocated to Network Pros on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Money is not refunded to your card. Credits go back on your Porch balance.
“we do not process refunds to your credit card”
Porch does not promise that a lead becomes a job.
“we are unable to guarantee that Porch leads will turn in to jobs”
A lead you do not win is not a reason for a credit.
“You didn't win the job.”
Vetted Pros get a connection guarantee if they meet the contact rules.
“we guarantee a connection or we automatically credit you for the cost of the lead”
Lead credits run out after three months.
“must be used within three (3) months from the date of issuance”
What Porch does not publish
We found no price list for Porch leads on the pages we could open. Porch's terms say the price of each lead is the one shown on its platform, so you see it inside your account, not on a public page.
We also found no figure for how many leads turn into jobs. Porch itself says it cannot guarantee that leads become jobs. Porch's help centre did not load for us, so check your account for current prices in your trade and area.
What that means for a small trade business
You pay for a lead when you respond to it, whether or not you win the work. Porch's credit policy lists cases that earn a credit, such as bad contact details, and says a job you did not win is not one of them.
Porch also says only a limited number of pros can respond to one request, on a first-come, first-served basis. So speed matters. Some businesses do well with Porch. Others would rather pay a fixed amount each month and know the bill in advance.
Other ways to be found
A Google Business Profile is free and is the first thing to get right. It is what shows on the map when someone searches for your trade near them.
Your own website is the one place you fully control. Keep your name, address and phone number the same on it as everywhere else.
A local directory listing is a third. It will not send you leads the way Porch does. It gives your business a page that people in your town can find, and nothing is charged when someone contacts you from it.
How a Local Business America listing works
Every business in one of our guides has a free listing, with opening hours, a map and a link to its website. Claiming it is free.
Essentials is $19 a month and adds a photo gallery, an enquiry form, your Google reviews. Premium is $39 a month and adds a boost to the top of your category and a do-follow link to your website. The price is the same every month, and you can cancel any time.
A listing is not a lead service. We do not sell leads, we do not promise calls, and we cover a small number of areas so far. It is a page about your business in a guide to your town.
Common questions
- How does Porch charge professionals?
- Porch says pros can buy leads individually, set a monthly budget and receive leads automatically, or combine both options.
- How much does a Porch lead cost?
- We could not find a price list on a Porch page we were able to open. Porch's terms say the price of each lead is the one shown on its platform.
- Does Porch send a request to more than one professional?
- Porch's terms say the number of opportunities to respond to a request is limited, and that they go to pros first-come, first-served. They do not give the number.
- Can I get my money back for a bad lead?
- Porch says it does not refund to your credit card. Its credit policy lists cases where the cost of a lead is added back to your Porch balance.
- Is Local Business America a lead service like Porch?
- No. It is a directory. Your business has a page in your area's guide, and people contact you from it. We do not sell leads and we do not promise calls.
- What does a Local Business America listing cost?
- Every business has a free listing. Essentials is $19 a month and Premium is $39 a month, with no charge per contact. You can cancel any time.
- Can I use Porch and a directory listing together?
- Yes. They do different jobs, and nothing stops you using both.
Sources: Porch: Get qualified homeowner leads for your business; Porch Pro Resources: Lead Buyer Terms; Additional Terms for Porch Professionals; Porch Lead Credit Policy. Porch is not connected with Local Business America. Its terms can change, so read its own pages before you decide.