Branding for Trades-Based Businesses: Basics You Need to Know

Whether you’re a carpenter, plumber, electrician, or run a multi-scope contracting company, getting sh*t done, and a consistent, professional brand is what makes you memorable to your clients.

Let’s break down what branding is, why it matters, and how you can nail it—without f’ing things up.

What Is Branding (and Why Should You Care)?

What you do (your work), what you say (messaging), and how your branding looks is the impression your business leaves on clients. It’s everything they hear, see and feel about your company. From your logo and business cards, to your shirts and trucks, to the way your website looks, it all matters.

For trades-based businesses, branding helps:

• Build trust: People hire businesses they recognize and feel confident about.
• Stand out: In a sea of competitors, consistency helps clients remember you.
• Grow your business: Strong branding makes you the go-to name when someone needs your services.

Bottom line: If your branding is inconsistent or unprofessional, it can make your business look like a sh*t show—no matter how good your work is.

3 Steps to Create a Consistent Brand

1. Choose One Logo Version and Stick to It

Do you have completely different versions of your logo floating around? Fix it, fast. 

We’re not talking about versions of your logo in color, black and white, or a square vs. a rectangle. There are different applications that require different shapes and either color or monochrome versions of your logo. We’re talking about completely different versions. 

A mishmash of logos confuses clients and makes your business look scattered. Select one professional logo that represents your business and use it everywhere—from your trucks to your invoices.

Pro Tip: Think of all the places your logo shows up. Make a checklist and walk through the list, making note of any wrong versions of your logo you find. Then walk through that list again and replace/remove those items from use.

2. Set Your Brand Colors and Fonts

Consistency is key. Choose two or three colors and one or two fonts to represent your brand. Apply them to everything:

• Your website
• Business cards
• Job site signs
• Social media posts
• Clothing
• One Pagers
• Etc…

When your logo, brand colors, and fonts are consistent, people will instantly recognize your business—when they see your company on a job site, they will know it’s you.

Quick Tip: Google ADA compliance for websites when choosing your colors and fonts. This will help you avoid picking colors and fonts that are hard to see for certain people with disabilities.

3. Create a One-Page Brand Guide

A full blown brand guide is not necessary for a small business. A single sheet to keep everyone on the same page will suffice for most small to mid-sized businesses. Include:

• Your logos
• Your colors (both HEX and CYMK codes)
• Fonts (Just use two fonts that compliment each other and are ADA compliant.)

Share this guide with employees and vendors to make sure your brand looks the same across all your materials.

Want to see QBC’s style guide? Email us and we will happily share.

Why Consistency Matters in Branding

Inconsistent branding is like having “summerteeth” — Google it, we’ll wait.

Here’s why you need to keep your branding consistent:

• Clients trust consistency: It shows you’re detail-oriented and reliable.
• It’s easier to scale: A solid brand makes it easier to grow and market your business.
• You’ll attract better clients: Professional branding draws in professional clients.

Real-Life Example: Branding at QBC

When we overhauled QBC’s branding, we went from four logos to one, set clear colors and fonts, and created a one-page brand guide. The result?

• A professional, unified look that clients recognize.
• Easier onboarding for new employees and vendors.
• A stronger reputation in our market.

Ready to Build Your Brand?

Branding doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be consistent. Start with these basics:

1. Choose one logo.
2. Set your brand colors and fonts.
3. Create a one-page brand guide.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be one step ahead of the majority of trades based businesses in the market.

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