For many home repair contractors, the off-season can feel like a waiting period. Fewer calls, lighter schedules, and tighter cash flow often push business growth planning to the back burner. But for contractors who want to scale sustainably, the off-season is one of the most valuable times of the year.
Foundation repair, waterproofing, and crawlspace encapsulation businesses that use slower months to invest in training, marketing, operations, and relationships are far better positioned when demand ramps back up. Instead of scrambling to catch up in peak season, they enter it as a well-oiled machine.
Here are eight practical ways you can use the off-season to strengthen your business and set yourself up for long-term business growth.
1. Invest in Training While Schedules Are Lighter
When crews are running non-stop, training often gets postponed. The off-season creates space to focus on skill development that pays dividends all year. This is an ideal time for manufacturer training on installation best practices, new systems, and evolving building science. Safety training is also critical, especially for crews working in confined spaces or around heavy structural components.
If you offer multiple lines of service, cross-training installers across foundation repair, waterproofing, and crawlspace systems can improve scheduling flexibility and reduce downtime during busy months.
Sales training should not be overlooked either. Reviewing inspection processes, proposal presentation, and homeowner education helps teams communicate value more clearly and close higher-quality jobs.
If you’re not sure where to start, some suppliers like Nash Distribution offer technical resources, product training, and educational support throughout the year. If you know that training is where you need to start to really see business growth, you can fill out our form to let us know you’re interested in some training.
2. Upgrade Marketing Assets Before Homeowners Start Searching
Unless the problem is an obvious emergency, homeowners often research repairs weeks or months before they commit. The off-season is the right time to make sure your marketing materials reflect your current services and professionalism.
One important thing you should do is review your website for outdated service pages, missing photos, or any unclear messaging. Printed materials like brochures, mailers, and leave-behind folders are also worth refreshing so they are ready when inspections increase. Updating your Google Business Profile, adding recent project photos, and responding to reviews can improve visibility before peak season competition heats up.
Here are a couple of resources to help you make sure you’re putting your best foot forward and, in some cases, to let people know you are still in business!
- Google Business Profile optimization guide: https://support.google.com/business
- Website best practices from the Small Business Association (SBA): https://www.sba.gov
3. Ask for Referrals and Reviews From Past Customers
Satisfied customers are one of the most effective business growth tools contractors have, yet many businesses wait too long to ask for reviews or referrals. The off-season is a good time to follow up with customers who had successful projects but never left feedback. A simple check-in email or phone call can lead to online reviews that strengthen trust with future homeowners.
Positive reviews also improve local search rankings, which helps contractors stand out when demand increases. Also, being sure to respond to reviews (good and bad) can be just as important. Here is a helpful guide on The Importance of Google Reviews for Small Businesses from the National Business Association.
4. Talk to Your Suppliers About Strategy, Not Just Orders
Suppliers are often underutilized as business resources. The off-season provides time to have meaningful conversations beyond day-to-day purchasing. You should ask your suppliers about upcoming product changes, new system introductions, and pricing opportunities. This is also a good moment to share a product wish list based on real-world jobsite experience. Many manufacturers value contractor feedback and use it to guide innovation.
Working closely with Nash Distribution can also help you plan inventory, understand product availability throughout the year, and identify tools or systems that could improve installation efficiency.
5. Strengthen Relationships With Adjacent Professionals
Realtors, home inspectors, and general contractors influence many repair decisions. Building relationships (pun intended) during the off-season helps contractors stay top of mind when referrals matter most.
Scheduling coffee meetings, lunch-and-learns, or educational presentations gives you an opportunity to explain common foundation and moisture issues in a non-sales setting. This helps build trust and positions your company as a knowledgeable problem solver.
Here are some educational resources that could support these conversations:
- EPA moisture and mold guidance: https://www.epa.gov/mold
- InterNACHI inspection education: https://www.nachi.org
6. Audit Operations and Inventory for Efficiency
Operational inefficiencies tend to hide during busy seasons. Slower months are ideal for reviewing how jobs are scheduled, how crews are staffed, and how materials are managed.
By evaluating which tools and materials are consistently needed and whether bulk purchasing is available for certain items, you could potentially reduce costs. Reviewing job timelines can uncover bottlenecks that limit how many projects can be completed during peak demand. Identifying skill gaps within crews also helps guide training priorities (see business growth tip #1).
Improving these internal systems often leads to higher margins without increasing marketing spend.
7. Evaluate Service Offerings and Bundling Opportunities
The off-season is the right time to evaluate which services drive the most value. Contractors may discover opportunities to add or emphasize higher-margin services such as drainage improvements, dehumidification systems, or air quality solutions.
Bundling related services can also increase average job size while delivering better outcomes for homeowners. Maintenance plans are another option that creates recurring revenue and keeps customer relationships active year-round.
Suppliers can often provide insight into which products are gaining traction and how contractors in similar markets are positioning their services.
8. Organize Product Warranty Information for Customers
Warranty communication is an often-overlooked trust builder. Contractors should ensure warranty information is clear, accurate, and easy to provide during the sales process. Having product and installation warranties readily available reduces follow-up delays, prevents miscommunication, and reinforces professionalism. This preparation is especially helpful when inquiries increase during peak season.
Business Growth Lesson – Prepare Now to Win Later
If you treat the off-season as a business growth period, you will consistently outperform those who wait for work to pick back up. Training teams, refining marketing, strengthening relationships, and tightening operations all compound when demand increases.
By working closely with trusted suppliers, staying connected to industry resources, and making intentional improvements during slower months, you can enter the next busy season confident and ready to scale.