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Thryv markets itself as an all-in-one solution for small businesses. But for HVAC, plumbing, and roofing contractors, "all-in-one" often means "mediocre at everything." Here's what contractors need to know before signing — or before switching.
These are the most common complaints we hear from contractors who've used Thryv
Thryv hosts your website on their platform. When you cancel, you often can't take it with you — meaning you lose your content, design, and SEO history. Contractors who've been with Thryv for years sometimes have to start from scratch.
Thryv's platform serves restaurants, salons, law firms, and contractors all the same way. There's no contractor-specific keyword strategy, no understanding of seasonal demand patterns, and no expertise in trade-specific LSA optimization.
Many contractors report being locked into annual contracts that auto-renew without clear notice. Canceling can be difficult, and some report being charged for months after requesting cancellation.
Thryv's SEO is basic local SEO — directory listings, citation building, and a website. For competitive contractor markets, this isn't enough to rank for high-intent keywords like 'emergency AC repair [city]' or 'water heater replacement near me.'
Thryv has no offering for generative engine optimization (GEO) — getting your business recommended by ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews. As AI search grows, this gap will cost contractors leads.
Thryv bundles CRM, scheduling, payments, and marketing into one price. This sounds convenient, but contractors often pay for features they don't use and can't separate the marketing spend from the software spend.
For contractors specifically
| Feature | Thryv | Sequoia GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Length |
Annual contracts, auto-renew
|
Month-to-month available
|
| Website Ownership |
Thryv-hosted, you don't own it
|
You own your website & domain
|
| Industry Specialization |
All small businesses
|
Contractors only (HVAC, Plumbing, Roofing)
|
| Founder Background |
Corporate SaaS company
|
Built by a 130-employee HVAC/Plumbing contractor
|
| SEO Strategy |
Generic local SEO
|
Contractor-specific keyword strategy
|
| GEO / AI Search |
Not offered
|
Full GEO optimization (ChatGPT, Perplexity)
|
| Google LSA Management |
Basic setup only
|
Active optimization & dispute management
|
| Reporting Transparency |
Dashboard with limited data
|
Full access to all analytics
|
| Dedicated Strategist |
Account manager rotation
|
Dedicated contractor marketing strategist
|
| Pricing |
$200–$800+/month bundled
|
Custom pricing, no hidden fees
|
Sequoia GEO was founded by Aaron Husak, who spent 20+ years building and scaling an HVAC and plumbing company to 130+ employees and 4x Inc. 5000 recognition. He didn't learn contractor marketing from a textbook — he lived it.
When Aaron started looking for marketing help, he found the same problem most contractors face: agencies that didn't understand the trades, couldn't speak the language, and optimized for vanity metrics instead of booked jobs.
Sequoia GEO was built to solve that problem. We only work with contractors. We understand seasonal demand, emergency service keywords, the difference between a commercial and residential client, and how to win in competitive local markets.
Before you cancel, make sure you have these covered
Thryv is a general small business platform — it's not built for contractors. It lacks the trade-specific keyword strategy, LSA optimization, and GEO capabilities that HVAC, plumbing, and roofing companies need to compete in local search. If you're a contractor, you'll outgrow Thryv quickly.
If Thryv built your website on their platform, you typically cannot take it with you when you cancel. This is one of the most common complaints from contractors leaving Thryv — they have to rebuild their website from scratch. Always clarify website ownership before signing any contract.
Thryv pricing varies by plan and is often bundled with their CRM software. Marketing packages typically run $200–$800+ per month, but many contractors report unexpected charges and difficulty canceling. Always read the full contract terms before committing.
For contractors specifically, you want an agency that understands the trades — not a generic small business platform. Look for an agency with experience in HVAC, plumbing, roofing, or restoration SEO, transparent pricing, month-to-month options, and a track record in local search.
Thryv offers basic LSA setup, but active LSA management (disputing bad leads, optimizing your profile, managing your budget) requires hands-on expertise. Contractors who rely on LSA for a significant portion of their leads need dedicated LSA management, not a set-it-and-forget-it approach.
Switching agencies typically takes 30–60 days. The main tasks are: migrating your website (if you own it), transferring your Google Business Profile access, setting up new tracking, and transitioning any active ad campaigns. We handle the entire migration for clients switching to Sequoia GEO.
Get a free marketing audit. We'll show you exactly where your business stands in Google and AI search — and what it would take to dominate your market.
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