Hook Agency vs.
DUO Digital
Two agencies. Both built for businesses in the trades. But the model, the pricing, and the approach are different. Here's an honest breakdown so you can decide which one fits.
The short version: Hook Agency is a respected, Google-focused agency with a large team and 14 years in the game. DUO Digital is a leaner, full-service system with transparent pricing, no long-term contracts, and a proprietary growth framework. Both serve contractors — the difference is in how they do it.
Side by Side
The facts, without spin. Here's how the two agencies compare on the things that actually matter when you're choosing a marketing partner.
| Factor | DUO Digital | Hook Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Terms | Month-to-month. Cancel with 30 days notice. | 12-month commitment required. |
| Pricing Transparency | Published on website. $2,200 – $3,400/mo + custom tier. | Not publicly listed. Must contact for pricing. |
| Minimum Client Size | $1M+ revenue businesses. | $2M–$3M+ revenue businesses. |
| Service Scope | Full system: SEO, PPC, LSA, social ads, landing pages, CRO, lead nurture. | Google only: SEO, PPC, LSA, web design. No social, email, or video. |
| Proprietary Framework | 4-stage system: Be Found → Be Seen → Be Chosen → Be Booked. | No named framework. |
| Pipeline Generated | $100M+ in client pipeline. | 75+ clients served. Revenue not published. |
| Asset Ownership | Yes — you own everything. | Yes — you own everything. |
| Team Size | Lean team, founder-led accounts. | 55+ person in-house team. |
| Years in Business | Newer agency, senior team. | Founded 2012. 14 years. |
| Industries | 6 core verticals: Roofing, HVAC, Plumbing, Remodeling, Construction, Landscaping. | 20+ verticals including roofing, HVAC, plumbing, solar, and more. |
| Website Technology | Performance-first builds (Astro, custom). Perfect Core Web Vitals. | WordPress-only development. |
No Long-Term Contracts. Period.
Hook Agency requires a 12-month commitment. They justify this by saying long-term strategies need time to work. There's truth in that — but it also means you're locked in whether the results show up or not.
DUO is month-to-month. We keep clients because the system produces results, not because a contract says they have to stay. If what we're doing isn't working, you shouldn't be paying for it. We've said that from day one.
For contractors who've been burned by agencies that promised big and delivered little — and there are a lot of you — the ability to walk away matters. We'd rather earn your business every month than hold it hostage for 12.
Transparent Pricing vs. "Contact Us"
Hook Agency doesn't publish their pricing. To find out what it costs, you have to get on a call. That's a deliberate positioning choice — they're premium and they want to qualify prospects before revealing numbers.
We took the opposite approach. Our pricing is on the website: $2,200/month for Grow, $3,400/month for Scale, and custom for Conquer. Ad spend is separate and we'll recommend a budget that actually makes sense for your market.
Why publish it? Because contractors respect straight shooters. If you can't tell me what it costs before I get on a phone call, I'm already suspicious. We'd rather you show up to the call knowing the number and ready to talk strategy.
Full Marketing System vs. Google Only
Hook Agency is deliberate about being Google-only. SEO, PPC, Local Service Ads, and web design. No social media. No email. No video. They say it's better to be great at one thing than okay at everything. That's a valid philosophy.
But here's the reality for most contractors: homeowners don't find you through one channel. They see you on Facebook, search you on Google, check your reviews, look at your website, and then decide. If your agency only handles the Google piece, you need a second agency for the rest — or it just doesn't get done.
DUO's 4-stage system — Be Found, Be Seen, Be Chosen, Be Booked — covers the full buyer journey. Search, social, landing pages, conversion optimization, and lead nurture. One partner. One system. One throat to choke when something needs fixing.
Growing Contractors Welcome
Hook Agency targets contractors doing $2M–$3M+ in revenue. They explicitly say they're "usually the best fit for growth-mode contractors over $2M." If you're under that, you're probably not their ideal client.
DUO's Grow tier starts at $2,200/month and is built for businesses doing $1M+. That's a massive segment of the trades market that needs real marketing infrastructure but gets priced out of agencies like Hook.
We've helped contractors build over $100M in pipeline across roofing, HVAC, plumbing, remodeling, construction, and landscaping. Our system scales with your business — from your first consistent lead flow to multi-location domination.
Where Hook Agency Has the Edge
This wouldn't be an honest comparison if we didn't acknowledge where Hook Agency is strong. They've built a legitimate business over 14 years:
- Team depth — 55+ in-house specialists, all in Minneapolis. No outsourcing.
- Thought leadership — Founder Tim Brown wrote a book, speaks at industry events, and runs an active YouTube channel. He's built real trust in the contractor space.
- Track record — 100+ five-star reviews, Inc. 5000 honoree, and long-term client relationships (some 4+ years).
- SEO content engine — Their blog ranks for tons of trades marketing keywords. They practice what they preach.
- Proprietary tools — RankMap.ai for Google Business Profile management is a nice differentiator.
If you want a large, established, Google-only agency and you're comfortable with a 12-month contract, Hook is a solid option. We respect what they've built.
The Bottom Line
Choose Hook Agency if you're a $3M+ contractor who wants a large, Google-specialized team, you're comfortable signing a 12-month contract, and you have separate partners (or plans) for social media, email, and video.
Choose DUO Digital if you want a full marketing system from a single partner, you value month-to-month flexibility, you want to know what it costs before picking up the phone, and you're looking for a team that treats your growth like their own.
Hook Agency
- Google SEO + PPC + LSA
- WordPress web design
- 55+ person team
- 12-month contracts
- $2M+ revenue required
- Contact for pricing
DUO Digital
- Full system: search + social + CRO + nurture
- Performance-first web builds
- Founder-led, senior team
- Month-to-month
- $1M+ revenue welcome
- Starts at $2,200/mo
Ready to See the Difference?
Talk to us. We'll show you exactly what a system built for your business looks like — no 12-month commitment required.
Book a Call