You don’t need a Hollywood crew to make a contractor ad that works. You need the right shots. Here’s the shot list we use when we film trades across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, so a 30-second ad stops the scroll and gets homeowners to call.
The 30-second ad structure
- 0–3 seconds: the hook. The most impressive shot you have. A finished floor, a fresh exterior, a big window going in.
- 3–10 seconds: the problem. What it looked like before. Cracked concrete, peeling paint, drafty old windows.
- 10–22 seconds: the work. Your crew doing the job properly. Prep, tools, care and detail.
- 22–27 seconds: the result. The reveal, ideally with the happy homeowner.
- 27–30 seconds: the call to action. Who you are, where you work, and how to get a quote.
The shot list
Before shots
- Wide shot of the space before work starts
- Close-ups of the problem: cracks, stains, rot, worn finishes
- The homeowner explaining what bothered them (if they agree to be filmed)
Work shots
- Crew arriving with branded truck or uniforms
- Prep work: protection, taping, grinding, measuring. This shows you do it right
- Close-ups of hands and tools in action
- A few seconds of each main step of the process
- Slow, smooth shots instead of shaky handheld clips
After shots
- The same wide angle as the before shot, for a clean before/after
- Slow pans across the finished work
- Detail close-ups: edges, trim, finish, shine
- The homeowner reacting or walking through the finished space
People shots
- The owner on camera for 5–10 seconds: name, company and what you care about
- Crew members working together
- A quick handshake or walk-through with the client
Tips that make a big difference
- Film vertical for Instagram and Facebook Reels and Stories.
- Use natural light where you can. Open blinds and turn on every light.
- Keep the site clean in the frame. Homeowners notice mess.
- Get permission from homeowners before filming their home or faces.
- Plan captions. Most people watch with the sound off, so every key point needs to work as text on screen.
From footage to ads that run
Filming is only half the work. The footage needs to be edited into short, phone-ready ads, reviewed and approved by you, then put in front of the right homeowners. That’s what we do. We come to your job site anywhere in the Lower Mainland, film it, edit it, send it to you for approval, and run it as Meta Ads or Google Ads. Learn more about our video ads for contractors.
Or call/text (778) 200-1167 · Prime Choice Media, 7188 Progress Way, Delta, BC