A homeowner whose siding blew off last night used to search Google and call one of the first three companies on the map. Now a growing number open ChatGPT or see Google's AI answer and ask: "Who's a good siding repair company near me?" The AI names a few businesses. If you're not one of them, you never get the call.
What we found when we checked
We checked how AI tools recommend local contractors across several markets, 765 businesses in all. A few things stood out:
- AI answers lean on what's already written about you: your Google Business Profile, your reviews, directories, and "best of" lists.
- ChatGPT often cites directories and review sites when it recommends contractors, and Perplexity often cites the Better Business Bureau and business websites.
- Some lead-gen sites posing as local companies got named, because they had pages built exactly for "siding repair in [town]." That's who you're up against.
How to get named
- Own your Google Business Profile. Right business category, every service you do listed (siding repair, soffit, fascia, storm damage, trim), your service area, real photos of real jobs. Keep it updated.
- Get reviews that say what you did and where. "Fixed wind-damaged siding on our house in [town], fast and clean" helps far more than "Great job!" Ask every happy customer, and make it easy with a direct link.
- Have a simple website. A page for each repair you do, the towns you serve, your phone number, photos and your license or insurance info. It doesn't need to be fancy. AI tools and Google both read it.
- Get listed in the places AI reads: the BBB, major directories, your local chamber of commerce, Nextdoor. Make your name, address and phone number match everywhere.
- Earn mentions: a local news story, a community group post, a supplier's "recommended contractors" list.
- Answer fast. Speed matters to customers and it shows up in reviews.
What not to do
Don't buy fake reviews or create fake listings. Google removes them, and getting caught can sink your profile. One real business, many real pages, your own name on all of it.
Check yourself
Ask ChatGPT and Google: "Who are the best siding repair contractors in [your town]?" See who comes up and what sources they cite. That's your to-do list.
Being named by AI is just being the most visible, best-reviewed real business in your area. We walk members through every step inside Siding Pro Academy.
Photo: from a real Siding Pro Academy repair job.
