Negative keywords for contractors
Remodeling search is dominated by DIY renovation content, big-box store runs and permit questions. This list blocks the self-builders and keeps homeowners looking for a licensed crew.
Updated
Before you paste: what NOT to block
Hiring intent names the project and asks for a number:
- kitchen remodel cost
- general contractor near me
- bathroom renovation quote
- home addition contractor
Every list on this page is a starting point, not a decree. Scan it against your own offer before applying — one business's junk click is another's best lead.
The full list
Contractor-specific negatives merged with 9 curated categories, de-duplicated and sorted.
- .gov
- 100% free
- academy
- alibaba
- application
- apply now
- apprenticeship
- attorney
- b2b
- bargain
- bootcamp
- building permit application
- bulk
- buy in bulk
- cancel
- cancel subscription
- cancellation
- career
- careers
- certificate
- certification
- chargeback
- cheap
- cheaper
- cheapest
- cheat sheet
- checklist
- city hall
- class
- class action
- classes
- clearance
- clipart
- college
- coloring page
- complaint
- complaints
- construction jobs
- contractor salary
- contractor school
- cost estimator spreadsheet
- counterfeit
- county
- coupon
- coupons
- course
- courses
- craigslist
- curriculum vitae
- cv
- definition
- degree
- diploma
- dirt cheap
- discount
- discounted
- discounts
- distribution
- distributor
- distributors
- diy
- diy renovation
- dmv
- do it yourself
- drawing
- dropship
- dropshipping
- e-learning
- ebay
- employer
- employment
- exam
- example
- examples
- exams
- explained
- export
- exporter
- facebook marketplace
- factories
- factory
- fake
- federal
- for free
- for hire
- for rent
- fraud
- fraudulent
- free
- free house plans
- free sample
- free samples
- free trial
- freebie
- freebies
- freelance
- freemium
- freeware
- general contractor license
- gif
- gifs
- giveaway
- giveaways
- gov
- government
- gratis
- guide
- guides
- half price
- headhunter
- hire
- hiring
- home depot
- homemade
- how do i
- how does
- how to
- how to drywall
- icon
- icons
- ideas
- image
- images
- import
- importer
- in bulk
- instructions
- intern
- internship
- interview
- irs
- is it a scam
- is it legit
- is it real
- is it safe
- job
- jobs
- junkyard
- lawsuit
- lawsuits
- lawyer
- lease
- leasing
- lesson
- lessons
- license renewal
- liquidation
- logo
- logos
- low cost
- low-cost
- lowes
- manual
- manufacturer
- manufacturing
- marketplace
- masterclass
- meaning
- meme
- memes
- moq
- municipal
- municipality
- national insurance
- no cost
- now hiring
- odm
- oem
- official site
- online course
- part time
- permit
- photo
- photos
- picture
- pictures
- png
- pre owned
- pre-owned
- preowned
- printable
- private label
- promo
- promo code
- public
- rating
- ratings
- reconditioned
- recruiter
- recruitment
- refund
- refunds
- refurb
- refurbished
- remote job
- remote work
- renovation ideas
- rent
- rent a
- rental
- rentals
- reseller
- resellers
- resume
- resumes
- review
- reviews
- rip off
- ripoff
- ripoffs
- salaries
- salary
- salvage
- scam
- scammer
- scammers
- scams
- scholarship
- school
- schools
- scrap
- second hand
- second-hand
- secondhand
- seminar
- staffing
- step by step
- stock photo
- stock photos
- studies
- study
- sue
- suing
- supplier
- suppliers
- svg
- swap
- sweat equity
- syllabus
- tax
- taxes
- template
- templates
- testimonial
- testimonials
- textbook
- thrift
- thrift store
- tips
- to rent
- tool rental
- trade
- trade in
- trade-in
- training
- tricks
- tutorial
- tutorials
- universities
- university
- unsubscribe
- used
- vacancies
- vacancy
- video
- video tutorial
- videos
- voucher
- vouchers
- wage
- wages
- wallpaper
- wallpapers
- warning
- webinar
- what are
- what is
- wholesale
- wholesaler
- wholesalers
- why is
- wiki
- wikipedia
- work from home
- workshop
- youtube
- youtube renovation
What's inside this list
Job Seekers
33 terms · view this category on its own
View listEducation
31 terms · view this category on its own
View listDIY & Info
33 terms · view this category on its own
View listFree & Cheap
33 terms · view this category on its own
View listUsed & Rentals
32 terms · view this category on its own
View listB2B / Wholesale
30 terms · view this category on its own
View listReviews & Media
31 terms · view this category on its own
View listComplaints & Legal
32 terms · view this category on its own
View listGovernment & Public
17 terms · view this category on its own
View listFrequently asked questions
"Kitchen remodel cost" vs "cost estimator spreadsheet" — where's the line?
The first is a homeowner sizing a project they'll hire out; the second is someone building their own budget to run their own job. Keep every "[project] cost" query; block the spreadsheet-and-calculator phrasings.
Why block Home Depot and Lowe's?
A big-box brand search is a materials run. Combined with the wholesale and rental lists, it filters out nearly the whole self-build supply chain in three lines.
These are generic industry negatives - safe in most accounts of this kind, but not tuned to yours. Inside Keyword Ninja, the Smart Blocklist cross-checks this exact catalog against your real search terms and shows the wasted spend before you block a single word.
Match these lists to your actual traffic
The Smart Blocklist checks every curated term against your real search terms and shows the wasted spend before you block anything. Connect Google Ads for a free look.