From Zero to Fully Booked: How NZ Drywall & Plastering Specialists Get Their First 10 Clients

Starting out as a drywall and plastering specialist in New Zealand can seem daunting when you’re aiming to book your first 10 clients. With practical, friendly strategies tailored to Kiwi communities, you can build a reputation and grow your bookings steadily. This guide shares 10 actionable tips tailored specifically for drywall and plastering professionals ready to make their mark.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Leverage Your Personal Network

Your earliest clients usually come from friends, family, and neighbours. Offering discounted or trial drywall repairs can build initial trust and strong word-of-mouth referrals.

A Christchurch plasterer grew rapidly through offering community help and referrals.

Weirdly enough, these initial connections often become your most loyal client base.

2. Join Local Facebook Groups

Groups like “Auckland Home Renovations” and “Wellington Handy Help” are full of locals looking for trusted drywall specialists.

Share helpful tips, before-and-after pictures, and client testimonials without hard selling.

Neighbourly offers a slower but genuine space for community referrals.

3. Create a Mobile-Friendly Website

A simple, well-organised site outlining your services, rates, and testimonials boosts professionalism.

Platforms like Wix or Squarespace make building affordable and easy.

Including NZ-specific building practices and products connects you authentically.

4. List on Yada and Local Directories

Yada connects you to local clients with no lead or success fees, perfect for early-stage drywall experts.

Its rating system helps quality pros get noticed.

Don’t miss listing on TradeMe Services and reliable regional directories.

5. Offer Introductory Discounts

Draw in first clients with discounted repairs or package deals.

A Tauranga drywall specialist gained momentum with seasonal and referral offers.

Think of it as an inviting way for clients to try your quality service.

6. Network with Builders and Property Managers

Building relationships with builders, renovators, and property managers can bring steady referral work.

Attend local trade fairs and community events to grow your network.

In smaller centres like Nelson, these relationships often drive the bulk of your work.

7. Collect and Showcase Testimonials

Happy client reviews build powerful social proof.

Kiwis trust peer recommendations highly when hiring tradespeople.

A Christchurch plasterer credits online testimonials with expanding his bookings.

8. Share Drywall Maintenance Tips

Post easy drywall care advice and renovation tips regularly on social media.

Helpful content creates goodwill and positions you as an expert.

An Auckland specialist grew a loyal following by sharing valuable, simple posts.

9. Advertise Offline and Online

Distribute flyers and cards at hardware stores, community centres, and local cafes.

Pair offline efforts with targeted Facebook and Google ads focusing on local home renovators.

This broad approach effectively reaches New Zealand’s diverse markets.

10. Stay Organised and Communicate Well

Use scheduling and invoicing tools to keep work organised and clients informed.

Clear, timely communication encourages repeat business and referrals.

A Tauranga drywall pro highlights organisation as vital to success.