If you’ve been thinking about outsourcing your social media, you’ve probably asked:
“How much does a social media manager cost?”
The answer is… it depends.
And not in a vague way—there are very real differences in what you get depending on who you hire, how experienced they are, and what your goals are.
Let’s break it down so you can make the right decision for your business.
What Impacts the Cost of Social Media Management?
Before we talk numbers, here’s what actually drives pricing:
- Experience in home service marketing (this matters more than you think)
- Whether the content is video-first or just graphics
- If they’re creating content for homeowners vs. other contractors
- Whether ads are included
- If they provide a strategy or just posting
Not all social media help is created equal.
Option 1: Hiring a Beginner or Freelancer ($300–$1,000/month)
This is usually:
- A friend, family member, or someone new to marketing
- A general VA or overseas graphic designer
On paper, it sounds affordable.
But here’s the problem:
Just because someone knows how to post doesn’t mean they know how to market your business.
Your niece might be great on TikTok—but that doesn’t mean she understands:
- How to attract homeowners
- How to create converting content
- How to build a brand that actually drives business
The Biggest Risk
A lot of low-cost providers focus on:
- Canva graphics
- Generic posts
- No real strategy
The issue?
That content doesn’t perform.
If your content isn’t getting:
- Views
- Engagement
- Reach
…it’s not showing up in the newsfeed.
And if it’s not being seen, it’s not an asset—it’s just a box you’re checking.
Option 2: Hiring a Local Social Media Agency ($1,000–$10,000/month)
This is where most contractors land when they get serious.
Pricing varies based on what’s included:
Lower Range ($1,000–$3,000/month)
- Basic posting
- Limited strategy
- Minimal video
Mid to High Range ($3,000–$10,000/month)
- Stronger strategy
- Video content creation
- On-site filming days
- More hands-on support
If they have a full video crew following you around, expect to pay on the higher end.
If they come in periodically to capture content, pricing is usually more reasonable.
What About Facebook & Instagram Ads?
Most social media companies do not include ads.
So if you want:
- Lead generation
- Retargeting
- Brand awareness campaigns
You’ll likely need a separate company.
Typical Ad Management Pricing:
- $2,000–$10,000/month
- Not including ad spend
That’s an important distinction.
Option 3: Hiring an In-House Social Media Manager ($50,000–$90,000/year)
This is a great option if you’re ready for it.
An internal hire can:
- Manage your social media
- Capture content
- Coordinate community involvement
- Support internal marketing efforts
But there are a few things to consider:
Pros:
- Fully dedicated to your business
- Embedded in your team and culture
Cons:
- Salary + benefits
- Training required
- Typically not an expert in paid ads
- One person = limited skill set
Most in-house hires are either:
- Good at content
- OR good at strategy
Rarely both at a high level.
Option 4: Hiring a Specialized Agency (Like Kee Hart Marketing) ($2,300–$4,000/month)
This is where you get a completely different level of support.
Instead of hiring one person, you’re getting:
- A full team
- Proven systems
- Industry-specific expertise in the trades
At Kee Hart Marketing, our plans:
- Start at $2,300/month
- Scale to under $4,000/month
What Makes This Different?
You’re not just getting someone to post.
You’re getting:
- Strategy built specifically for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical companies
- Content designed to actually show up in the newsfeed
- A team that understands how homeowners make buying decisions
Content Isn’t an Add-On—It’s Built Into How We Work
One of the biggest reasons social media fails for contractors?
They don’t have the right content.
So instead of leaving that up to chance, content is built directly into our onboarding process.
We start every client relationship by:
- Capturing real, on-site video content
- Building a library of usable footage
- Setting the foundation for consistent posting
Because without content, there is no strategy.
And without video, your content won’t reach the people you want it to.
We Don’t Just Do Social Media—We Specialize in Facebook & Instagram Ads for the Trades
Most companies separate organic social media and paid ads.
We don’t.
We are Facebook and Instagram ads specialists for the trades, and our pricing depends on the level of support you need:
1. Organic Social Media
- Content + posting + strategy
- Focused on visibility and brand growth
2. Organic + Brand Awareness Ads
- Everything above
- PLUS ads to:
- Your local market
- Past customers
- Website visitors
- Designed to keep you top of mind everywhere
3. Lead Generation Ads
- Full funnel strategy
- Ads designed to generate actual service calls
- Ongoing optimization and testing
This is where your marketing starts turning into predictable growth.
Why This Matters
When your content, strategy, and ads all work together:
- Your content gets seen
- Your ads convert better
- Your brand becomes recognizable in your market
And that’s what turns social media into a real business asset—not just something you “keep up with.”