How Much Does Direct Mail Cost for Contractors in Canada?

Before you spend a dollar on direct mail, you want to know exactly what it costs. Fair enough. This guide breaks down every component — design, printing, postage, and delivery — so you can compare apples to apples and make an informed decision.

The Four Cost Components of a Direct Mail Campaign

Every direct mail campaign has four cost components:

1. Design — Creating the flyer layout, copy, and graphics
2. Printing — Paper stock, colour, coating, cutting
3. Postage — Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail fees
4. Delivery & Tracking — Logistics, tracking numbers, delivery receipts

With Niagara Stands Out, all four are bundled into one flat price. No surprises, no add-ons, no "oh and postage is extra" at the end.

Package Pricing — What You Actually Pay

We offer four packages based on the number of doors you want to reach: Test Strike — $397 (250 doors) Per door: $1.59. Best for contractors who want proof before committing. Covers one tight postal walk in one neighbourhood. Block Buster — $647 (500 doors) Per door: $1.29. Our most popular package. Covers 1-2 postal walks. Sweet spot for generating 5-15 phone calls. Street Sweeper — $1,197 (1,000 doors) Per door: $1.20. For contractors serious about growth. Covers a significant section of any city. Neighbourhood Takeover — $1,997 (2,500 doors) Per door: $0.80. OWN your territory. Covers an entire area. Best per-door value by far.

Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail Rates

Canada Post charges between $0.16 and $0.19 per piece for Neighbourhood Mail, depending on volume and format. This is already included in our package pricing. For context, a single first-class letter costs $1.15. Neighbourhood Mail is dramatically cheaper because it is sorted by postal walk rather than individual address. There is a minimum of 200 pieces per postal walk (Canada Post requirement). Our smallest package (250 doors) meets this minimum for a single walk.

What About Design Costs Elsewhere?

If you go to a graphic designer independently, expect to pay $200-$500 for a professional flyer design. A print shop will charge $0.15-$0.40 per piece for 14pt card stock depending on quantity. Then you need to arrange Canada Post delivery yourself, which requires a business account and understanding of postal walk data. All told, a DIY 500-door campaign would cost roughly $600-$900 — about the same as our Block Buster, but with significantly more of your time invested and no targeting expertise included.

Cost Per Lead — The Number That Actually Matters

Forget cost per piece. The metric that matters is cost per lead. A 500-door Block Buster campaign at $647 generating 10 calls = $64.70 per call. Compare that to other channels:

• Google Ads: $25-45 per click (not per lead — most clicks do not convert). Actual cost per lead: $150-$400.
• HomeStars: $30-80 per lead, but shared with 3-5 other contractors.
• Facebook Ads: $15-40 per lead, but lead quality is often low.
• Direct mail: $40-$130 per lead, exclusive (no other contractor gets the same call).

Direct mail leads are also higher quality because the homeowner contacted you specifically — not a marketplace that sends the inquiry to five contractors.

Tax Deductibility

Direct mail campaigns are a fully deductible marketing expense for Canadian businesses. If your effective tax rate is 15-25%, the after-tax cost of a $647 campaign is $485-$550. Keep your receipt — your accountant will thank you.

Direct Mail Packages for Ontario Contractors

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Direct Mail Lead Generation for Contractors in Ontario — Complete guide
• Direct Mail ROI Calculator for Contractors
• How Much Does Direct Mail Cost?
• Best Neighbourhoods to Target in Niagara
• When to Send Direct Mail
• Case Study: Roofer Got 12 Calls from 500 Doors
• View All Lead Generation Packages