Electricians - Are you charging time & material or flat rate right now—and why?
Curious what’s actually working for everyone in today’s market with rising material costs and labor rates. Currently - I do time + material and then add in my overhead/profit % and I still get tons of kick back. Other big electricians in my area charge 3-4x the amount for something that I do and it works for them. I can't wrap my head around it.How do you handle customer expectations when wild weather or scope creep throws off the schedule?
Hey Jobber Community! No matter how tight your schedule is, the unexpected always seems to happen—whether it’s a sudden mid-week storm, an equipment hiccup, or a job taking twice as long because of hidden issues. Keeping clients updated while keeping the rest of the week’s schedule on track can be a delicate balance. How do you handle schedule shifts with customers? Do you text automated updates as soon as a delay happens? Buffer built-in "flex hours" or dedicated catch-up days into your weekly schedule? Keep a strict communication rule before a certain time of day? Would love to hear how you keep client satisfaction high when the schedule gets wild!How Do Lawn Care Companies Land Their First HOA and Commercial Contracts?
A little context - We're a young company, just started this spring, with 2 full time guys and about 55 recurring lawns each week that we mow. We also do mulching/clean-ups on top of this. I'm looking to get some HOAs and smaller commercial accounts lined up for next year. (we would lso like to offer snow removal and salting as a part of this, really anything to keep us busy). My question to you all: Where do I start? How do I find property managers / HOAs / Commercial owners that I should bid to? What do I need when I go into these conversations?What’s the single biggest game-changer you’ve made to your quoting process this year?
Whether it’s switching to batch invoicing, adding line-item photos, or setting up automatic follow-ups in Jobber, small adjustments to your workflow can save hours every week. If you could go back to day one and change how you handle your job estimates and admin work, what’s the one tweak you’d make right away? Drop your best tip or lesson learned below—let’s help each other streamline operations!How do you handle clients who ask for "ballpark" pricing over the phone?
Hey community! Quick operational question. When a lead calls in or messages asking for a quick price before you can get photos or property measurements, how do you handle it? Do you give a wide range to filter them out, or do you strictly hold out until you have photos/measurements in hand? Curious to see how different shops handle the balance between speed and accuracy.Moving Legacy Clients to Online Pay: How Did You Make the Switch Stick?
Moving clients from traditional checks or cash over to digital invoicing and credit cards is one of the quickest ways to fix cash flow, but old habits die hard for long-time customers. When you made the transition to digital payments in your business, how did you get your persistent "check-in-the-mail" clients onboard without losing their trust? Did you set a strict deadline, add processing fees, or simply make paper invoicing a thing of the past?What’s your go-to trick in Jobber for turning quotes into approved jobs faster?
Hey everyone, I’m looking to tighten up our sales pipeline and cut down the time between sending a quote and getting the deposit in. For those of you who've been using Jobber for a while: What specific workflow, line-item layout, or automated follow-up sequence in Jobber has made the biggest difference in your quote approval rates? Are you relying heavily on automatic SMS reminders, using specific deposit requirements directly on the quote, or keeping it strictly to email with line-item options? Would love to hear what’s working best for your crew right now!
Curious how everyone is using AI in their business?
Are you using it for writing estimates? Social media? Customer emails? SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)? Marketing? Scheduling? Or something else? I've found AI has saved us hours every week by helping us create estimates, write customer emails, develop social media content, organize processes, and streamline our workflow. How has AI helped you personally and professionally? What's your favorite use case? I'm always looking for new ideas to make our business more efficient.Rejection Isn't the End—It's Proof You're Building Something Worth Fighting For
Every successful business owner has heard "no" more times than they can count. A declined grant, loan, or opportunity doesn't define your business—it reflects the reality that many great businesses compete for limited resources. The entrepreneurs who eventually break through are usually the ones who keep showing up. They improve their applications, strengthen their businesses, build relationships, and continue serving customers while everyone else waits for permission to succeed. REMEMBER: :: A grant is a tool, not your business plan. :: Progress doesn't stop because funding does. :: Every application makes you better at telling your story. Whether you were selected or not, take a moment to recognize how far you've already come. You had the courage to put your dream on paper and ask for an opportunity. That's something many people never do. Keep building. Keep applying. Keep improving. One "yes" can change everything, but only if you're still in the game when it comes.
