 "The best way for realtors to share a vendor list is through a branded digital catalog with one shareable link. Unlike PDFs or spreadsheets, a live catalog stays current, lets agents share one vendor or their complete list, works without a client app, and can make the introduction itself easier to track."

Top Questions About Sharing a Realtor Vendor List

Should realtors send clients a PDF vendor list?

A PDF can work, but it becomes outdated quickly and usually has to be resent whenever a vendor changes. A live digital vendor catalog is easier to maintain because the realtor can update recommendations while clients continue using the same link.

Should a realtor share one vendor or the entire vendor list?

Both options are useful. If a client asks for a specific service, sharing one trusted vendor can make the answer simple. When clients want broader homeowner resources, sharing the complete catalog gives them access to all of the realtor's recommendations in one place.

Do clients need an app to use a digital vendor catalog?

They should not have to. A client-friendly vendor catalog should open directly from a link so the client can browse recommendations without downloading an app, creating another account, or learning a new system.

Can a realtor text a vendor list to a client?

Yes. A shareable digital catalog link can be sent by text, email, or anywhere else the realtor normally communicates with clients. The same link can continue working as the realtor updates the catalog.

How can a realtor know if a client contacted a recommended vendor?

This is one of the advantages of using a referral platform instead of a static list. A platform can make the handoff trackable, so the agent can see whether a referral was sent, whether the client contacted the business, and how the introduction progressed.

What Is the Best Way to Share a Vendor List With Clients?

The best approach is to give clients one simple, branded place to access the professionals you trust.

A vendor list is supposed to save your client time. If they have to search through old emails, download a six-page PDF, find the right category, copy a phone number, and then explain to the contractor who sent them, the list has only solved part of the problem.

Your client asks, "Do you know a good roofer?"

Or they ask, "Do you have a list of people you recommend for the house?"

You send one link to your entire vendor catalog.

They open it, browse the businesses you trust, and choose who they want to contact.

. Agents can keep their trusted professionals organized, share recommendations in seconds, and manage what happens after the introduction without relying on scattered texts and manual follow-ups.

Why Are PDFs and Spreadsheets Hard to Maintain?

PDFs and spreadsheets are useful for storing information, but they were not designed around the way clients actually ask realtors for recommendations.

The biggest problem is that they are static.

A painter you used to recommend becomes difficult to reach.

A moving company expands into another county.

You can update the file, but every client who saved the previous version still has the old information.

Spreadsheets create a different problem. They may be easy for you to edit, but they rarely feel like a polished client resource. A buyer asking for a locksmith does not necessarily want access to a spreadsheet with dozens of rows.

The client still has to find the right business, copy the contact information, reach out, explain what they need, and potentially tell the vendor who referred them.

A digital catalog solves those problems by turning the list into a living resource rather than a file.

What Should the Client Experience Look Like?

A good vendor catalog should make finding help easier, not introduce another task.

The client experience should be straightforward:

See that the catalog belongs to their realtor

Contact the business or send a service request

Return to the same catalog the next time they need help

There should not be a long setup process.

Clients should not have to download another app just to find the plumber their agent recommended.

They should not need a new login just to see the list.

They should not need to keep asking the agent to resend an updated file.

The easier the catalog is to use, the more likely clients are to actually use it.

That matters because the goal is not simply to create a vendor list.

The goal is to make your recommendations useful at the moment a client needs them.

Should Realtors Share One Vendor or the Whole Catalog?

Sometimes the client has a very specific problem.

"Do you know someone who can paint the bedrooms?"

In those situations, sending one relevant vendor is usually the cleanest answer.

There is no reason to make the client browse 30 businesses when they asked for one plumber.

Other times, sharing the full catalog makes more sense.

A buyer who just closed may soon need a locksmith, painter, mover, cleaner, landscaper, electrician, handyman, and several other professionals. Giving that client your complete catalog turns it into an ongoing homeowner resource.

ReferToday is designed around both situations. An agent can share one trusted professional when the request is specific or send the complete catalog when the client wants access to the broader network.

That flexibility is important because not every referral starts the same way.

Where Should Realtors Share Their Vendor Catalog?

A digital vendor catalog should work wherever you already communicate with clients.

You should not need to change your workflow just to share it.

Text is probably the most natural option when a client asks for a recommendation in the middle of a conversation.

Because the catalog is live, you do not need to search for the latest attachment before sending it.

A complete vendor catalog can be useful in buyer, seller, and post-closing emails.

Instead of attaching a document, add the catalog link and let clients return to it whenever they need something.

Closing is one of the best times to introduce the complete resource.

"If you ever need someone for the house, I've put the people I recommend here."

That gives the client another reason to keep your information long after the transaction is over.

If you have a personal website, the vendor catalog can also become a client resource linked from your site.

A realtor should be able to create a catalog and start sharing it without asking a web developer to build another page.

For agents who make recommendations constantly, keeping the catalog in Apple Wallet makes it easier to pull up and share when a client asks for help.

Instead of looking through bookmarks or notes, the catalog stays one tap away.

How Can Realtors Make the Introduction Easier for Clients?

Making the actual introduction is better.

"We need someone to look at the roof after that storm."

The roofer has no context when the client eventually reaches out.

What Is the Best Way for Realtors to Share a Vendor List With Clients?

 "A realtor’s preferred vendor list should include trusted professionals clients commonly need before, during, and after a move, such as inspectors, movers, contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, painters, cleaners, landscapers, and other home service providers. Keep the list selective, current, easy to share, and focused on vendors you would confidently recommend."

Top Questions About Realtor Preferred Vendor Lists

A realtor preferred vendor list is a collection of trusted businesses and service professionals an agent recommends to clients. It can include home inspectors, contractors, movers, cleaners, plumbers, electricians, painters, landscapers, and other providers buyers and sellers commonly need.

How many vendors should a realtor include?

There is no required number. A shorter list of businesses you genuinely trust is usually more useful than a huge directory. You can keep additional vendors in reserve while showing clients only your strongest recommendations.

Should a realtor include more than one vendor per category?

Usually, yes. Having two or three trusted options in important categories gives clients some choice without overwhelming them. For more specialized services, one reliable provider may be enough.

Should vendors pay to be on a realtor's preferred vendor list?

That depends on the arrangement and any applicable legal, brokerage, disclosure, or industry requirements. A vendor should never make the list simply because they are willing to pay. The recommendation still needs to make sense for the client.

How should a realtor share a preferred vendor list?

The easiest option is a digital vendor catalog that can be shared through one link. This is easier to update than a PDF or printed list and lets clients access recommendations whenever they need them.

Why Should Realtors Have a Preferred Vendor List?

Realtors are asked for recommendations constantly.

A buyer gets an inspection report and needs an electrician. A seller wants the house painted before listing. A new homeowner needs a locksmith after closing. Someone moving into the area needs a cleaner, landscaper, plumber, or HVAC company.

If you have to search through old texts or contacts every time someone asks, the process becomes inconsistent.

A preferred vendor list gives you a reliable answer.

It also extends the value you provide beyond the real estate transaction. Instead of disappearing after closing, you become the person clients can come back to when something in the home needs attention.

That does not mean giving every client a massive directory of businesses.

A strong vendor list should feel curated. Every business on it should be someone you would feel comfortable putting your name behind.

, you can keep your trusted professionals in one place, share an individual vendor or your full catalog with a client, and update your recommendations without having to resend an old PDF every time something changes.

Which Vendors Should Realtors Put on Their Preferred Vendor List?

The best vendor list covers the services homeowners are most likely to need before, during, and after a transaction.

You do not need every category on day one. Start with the businesses clients ask you about most often.

Home inspectors are one of the most useful categories because nearly every buyer needs one during the purchase process.

If you recommend inspectors, look for professionals who communicate clearly, produce thorough reports, and are dependable with scheduling.

Depending on your market and brokerage rules, it may be better to provide multiple options so the client can make their own choice.

Buyers and sellers often need larger projects completed.

A reliable contractor can become one of the most valuable people on your list because homeowners often struggle to find someone they trust for bigger jobs.

Plumbing problems rarely happen at a convenient time.

Having a reliable plumber available is useful both during a transaction and years afterward.

Inspection reports frequently identify electrical issues, and older homes may need updates after closing.

A trusted electrician can help with repairs, panel upgrades, outlets, lighting, wiring, and other electrical work.

Heating and cooling systems are another common source of questions.

HVAC is especially useful to include because an emergency often leaves homeowners searching for someone quickly.

Roof condition can affect inspections, negotiations, insurance, and the homeowner's future maintenance costs.

A roofer can help with inspections, repairs, leaks, storm damage, and full replacements.

Painting is one of the most common services clients need on either side of a transaction.

Sellers may want to freshen up a property before listing. Buyers may want to repaint immediately after closing.

Consider including painters who handle both interior and exterior work if possible.

Moving companies belong on almost every realtor vendor list.

A trusted mover can make one of the most stressful parts of the transaction easier for the client.

Depending on your market, you may also want recommendations for:

Professional cleaners are useful for sellers preparing a property, buyers moving into a home, landlords, and clients who simply want recurring help after closing.

You may want separate recommendations for residential cleaning and move-in or move-out cleaning if those services are handled by different businesses.

Outdoor work matters especially for single-family homes.

Clients may need lawn maintenance, cleanup, landscaping, tree work, irrigation, or larger outdoor improvements.

A locksmith is easy to overlook, but new homeowners often want locks changed shortly after closing.

It is a simple category that can make your list much more practical.

Pest issues can appear during inspections or after move-in.

Having a trusted exterminator or pest-control company available gives clients somewhere to turn quickly.

Not every client needs a full contractor.

A reliable handyman can handle smaller repairs and punch-list items that larger contractors may not want to take on.

This can be particularly useful after a home inspection or immediately after closing.

Once the core categories are covered, add services based on what clients in your market actually ask for.

Depending on your location and clientele, useful additions might include:

What Should a Realtor Put on Their Preferred Vendor List?

Yes - Realtors can legally earn referral fees from contractors for standalone home service jobs like roofing, plumbing, and cleaning. What’s prohibited under RESPA are referral fees tied to mortgage settlement services. A contractor referral that happens outside of an active real estate transaction is a completely different thing.

RESPA — the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act — was designed to protect homebuyers from hidden kickbacks during the mortgage process. It prohibits paying or accepting fees in exchange for referring 

 tied to a federally backed mortgage loan.

Settlement services are the specific services involved in closing a real estate transaction:

Home inspections conducted as part of the transaction

If a referral fee is connected to any of those services during an active transaction, RESPA applies and the fee is not permitted. Full stop.

When in doubt, ask your broker. RESPA rules can vary in application by state, and your broker is the right person to confirm what’s permitted in your market. This guide covers the federal framework — local rules may add additional considerations.

Think about what this looks like in practice: a past client calls you eight months after closing asking who to call about their roof. You recommend a roofer you trust. That roofer gets a $15,000 job. There’s no mortgage, no transaction, no closing — just a homeowner who needed a contractor and called the person they trust most. That referral arrangement is perfectly legal to compensate.

Contractors and Services You CAN Refer for a Fee

Any standalone home service that isn’t tied to a mortgage closing falls outside of RESPA. That covers the vast majority of what your clients ask you about:

These are all services your clients ask about constantly — before listing, after closing, and throughout the years they own their home. Every one of them is a legitimate referral opportunity.

When a referral is tied to an active real estate transaction and involves a settlement service, RESPA applies. These arrangements are off-limits:

❌ NOT LEGAL TO REFER FOR A FEE (RESPA-COVERED)

Mortgage lenders and loan officers (tied to a transaction)

Title companies and title insurance providers

Home inspectors when part of a transaction

Appraisers conducting a transaction appraisal

Hazard or homeowner’s insurance arranged at closing

Note that home inspectors and insurance providers 

 of a transaction — a homeowner hiring an inspector for general peace of mind, or shopping for insurance renewal on their own — may not be covered by RESPA in the same way. The key factor is always whether an active mortgage transaction is involved. When in doubt, check with your broker.

How Much Can a Realtor Actually Earn From Referring a Contractor?

Referral fees for home service jobs are typically 5–15% of the total job value, agreed upon upfront between the realtor and the contractor. There’s no industry-mandated rate — it’s a private arrangement.

Here’s what that looks like on real job sizes:

A realtor with an active client base who refers two or three roofing or remodeling jobs a year can add $3,000–$10,000+ in income without any extra work beyond the recommendations they were already making.

The arrangement being legal is the starting point. For it to actually work long-term, a few things need to be in place:

 A simple agreement that names the commission rate and the payment trigger. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it needs to exist.

 Being transparent with your client that you have a referral arrangement with a vendor is the professional standard. It protects you and maintains trust.

 Chasing contractors for payment gets old fast. A platform that handles the tracking and commission automatically — so you refer, the job closes, and the payment comes without any follow-up on your end.

 Some brokerages have internal policies around outside income. A quick conversation with your broker before you set anything up is always worth it.

Thankfully that's exactly what ReferToday is built for. Your referral arrangement is documented on the platform, your client sees it transparently, every job is tracked, and your commission comes automatically when it closes. No paperwork, no follow-up, no gray areas.

→ Create Your Free ReferToday Account ←

Q: Is it legal for a realtor to accept a referral fee from a contractor?

Yes, for standalone home service referrals. RESPA prohibits referral fees tied to mortgage settlement services like title, appraisal, or lending. It does not prohibit a realtor from earning a commission for referring a homeowner to a roofer, plumber, or other contractor outside of an active real estate transaction.

Q: Does RESPA apply to contractor referrals?

Not for most home service contractors. RESPA applies to settlement services involved in a federally backed mortgage transaction — title, appraisal, escrow, lending. Roofing, plumbing, HVAC, painting, cleaning, and most other home service trades are not settlement services and are not covered by RESPA when referred outside of a transaction.

Q: Does a realtor’s referral fee need to go through their broker?

For agent-to-agent real estate referrals, yes — the fee typically flows through the broker. For contractor referral fees outside of a real estate transaction, the answer depends on your brokerage’s internal policies. Some brokerages have rules about outside income. Check with your broker before setting up any formal arrangement.

Q: How much can a realtor earn referring a contractor?

Referral fees for home service jobs typically range from 5–15% of the total job value, agreed upon upfront. On a $20,000 roofing job, that’s $1,000–$3,000 for a single introduction. Realtors with active client bases who formalize a few of these arrangements can add meaningful income without any extra work.

Q: What’s the easiest way for a realtor to earn referral fees from contractors?

The easiest way is through a referral marketplace like ReferToday, where contractors list their businesses with a pre-set commission rate. Realtors browse, refer clients through a personal link, and earn automatically when a job closes — no individual negotiations, no tracking spreadsheets, no chasing payments.

Can a realtor refer a contractor and get paid?

If you’ve been in the home services business for more than a year, you already know that the best jobs come through referrals & word-of-mouth.

What most contractors don’t realize is that one of the most powerful referral sources available to them isn’t a past client or a neighbor. It’s their local realtor.

Realtors stay in contact with homeowners long after the sale closes. Their clients ask them for contractor recommendations constantly — who to call for a leaky roof, who does good painting work, who they’d trust for a full kitchen remodel. And when a realtor gives a name, their client follows through. That’s the power of a trusted recommendation from someone who just helped them buy their home.

Building those relationships while you're also trying to run a business isn't easy. But the contractors who figure it out don't just get more leads — they get better ones. Warmer, higher-converting, and already pre-sold on trusting you before you ever pick up the phone.

This guide covers exactly how to make that happen — whether you're just getting started or looking to add a more reliable lead source to a business that's already running.

Why a Single Realtor Relationship Is Worth More Than You Think

Most home service businesses think about referrals the same way — do great work, hope a happy customer tells their neighbors. That works, but it’s slow and unpredictable. A satisfied customer might refer you once or twice a year if you stay top of mind.

A realtor operates on a completely different scale. They’re in front of homeowners constantly — at listing appointments, during walkthroughs, at closings, and in follow-up conversations that continue for years after a sale. Questions about contractors come up in almost every one of those interactions.

And here’s the part that matters most: when a realtor refers someone, their client acts on it. It’s not a Google review or a Facebook suggestion from a stranger. It’s a recommendation from the person who just guided them through the biggest financial decision of their life. That kind of trust converts at a completely different rate.

One active realtor partner can send you more qualified jobs in a year than ten satisfied customers. When you start thinking about realtor relationships that way, the effort it takes to build them starts to make a lot of sense.

You don’t need a network of 50 realtors to see real results. Start with two or three agents and build those relationships properly. A small number of highly active partners will outperform a long list of casual acquaintances every time.

What Realtors Actually Need From a Contractor

Before you think about how to approach a realtor, it helps to understand what they’re actually looking for — because it’s not just good work.

Every contractor thinks they do good work. What realtors need is someone who makes 

 look good. When they recommend you to a client, their reputation goes with that recommendation. If you show up late, leave a mess, or surprise someone with an unexpected invoice, that reflects directly on the agent who sent you there. They won’t make that mistake twice.

The contractors who earn consistent referrals from realtors all have a few things in common:

 They show up when they say they will, answer their phone, and follow through without needing to be chased.

 They treat the realtor’s client the way the realtor would — no pressure, no surprises, no mess left behind.

 A quick text to the agent when the job is done — “Just wrapped up at the Garcias’, they were happy” — goes further than most contractors realize.

They make it worth the realtor’s while.

 The best relationships have a formal commission structure behind them. More on that in a moment.

If you can genuinely check all four of those boxes, you’re already ahead of most contractors a realtor has ever worked with. That’s a low bar — in a good way.

How to Get on a Realtor’s Radar (Without Cold Calling)

Cold calling real estate offices is one of the least effective ways to build these relationships. Realtors are pitched constantly — by lenders, title companies, home warranty providers, stagers. You’re noise unless someone they trust has already vouched for you.

The warm introduction is everything. Here’s the path that actually works:

Start with one realtor who already knows your work.

 Think back through your past clients. Did any of them recently buy or sell with an agent? Did a realtor ever casually mention you to someone, even informally? That existing connection is your starting point — not a cold call list.

Ask them to introduce you to their office.

 Most real estate offices do regular team meetings or lunch events. One ask — “Would you be comfortable mentioning me to your colleagues?” — can put your name in front of 20 or 30 agents at once. That’s worth more than 20 individual cold calls.

Use their name to open every door after that.

 When you reach out to a new agent, lead with the mutual connection: “I did some roofing work for a few of [agent’s name]’s clients last year — she suggested I reach out.” That single sentence changes how you’re received entirely.

If you don’t have an existing realtor connection yet, the next best move is simply showing up where they are. Local real estate office events, chamber of commerce meetings, or community groups where agents are active. Not to pitch — just to be a recognizable face before you ever make an ask.

Offer to do one job at a discounted rate for a new realtor partner. Let the work speak for itself before you ask for anything in return. That first job is your audition — nail it and the referrals follow naturally.

Blog, news, and guides all in one place

What Is the Best Way for Realtors to Share a Vendor List With Clients?

What Should a Realtor Put on Their Preferred Vendor List?

Can a realtor refer a contractor and get paid?

How to Get Realtors to Refer Your Business

How to Get More Referrals for Your Business

How to Get Painting Leads for Free Near You

Which app gives the most money on referrals?

How Can Professionals Get Paid for Referrals?

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