New Google Search Features: Online Estimates Filter and “Have AI Check Prices” — what does this mean for service pros?
Google has recently started rolling out new pricing-related features in local home service search, and they could impact how service businesses get discovered. Two early changes we’re seeing: “Online estimates” filter Google is beginning to surface an Online estimates filter in some home service searches. Early signs suggest businesses that provide clear, machine-readable pricing or instant estimates may be favored over generic contact forms. “Have AI check prices” or “Ask AI for Pricing” feature Google is also testing an AI feature that gathers pricing on a homeowner’s behalf by using AI to call businesses and collect price quotes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=illIa8LSfY0 These features are still new and evolving, but they raise big questions about pricing transparency, estimates, and local search visibility. We’re curious: Have you noticed either of these features in your area yet? Do you currently show pricing or estimate ranges online? Do changes like this make you rethink how you approach pricing and Google visibility? Would love to hear what service pros are seeing so far 👇Advice adding the credit card service fee to invoices
Hello Jobber Community! I'm an operations contractor for a Denver-based tree care company, and I'm hoping to crowdsource some insight... Does anyone have advice on how to best navigate charging clients for credit card processing fees? I actually just discovered today that it is not illegal in the state of Colorado (as well as many other states) to add that 2ish% credit card service fee to invoices, and I’m hoping to hear your experiences or strategies. Currently, Jobber doesn’t have a feature to automatically apply a designated service fee when clients choose to pay with a credit card through the digital invoices we send. This creates a few challenges: We’d need to ask the client ahead of time how they plan to pay so we can manually add the service fee to their invoice. Totally fine.. except... If they tell us they want to pay by credit, but decide to pay by debit after they've been invoiced, it creates an administrative mess—we’d have to issue a refund, send a new invoice, reverse transactions in QuickBooks, and add weeks to securing that revenue once and for all. Woof. How do you all manage this in your business? Do you: Absorb the cost of credit card fees as a business expense and increase the cost of your services? Offer a “cash discount” instead of a service fee? Use another tool or workaround to handle these situations? My goal is to make sure we're being as transparent as possible with our clients, continue offering competitive bids, protect our revenue, and keep our administrative overhead as lean as possible. Any advice or insights would be super helpful! Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!How Much Should You Really Be Charging?
The number one question I receive is tied directly to the fact, most contractors are still guessing when it comes to pricing. Overhead. Profit. Labor rate. Trip fees. They think just because they throw a number they hear their competitors use, thats all that they need. It may work, but how and what do you divide these funds is just as important for your business health. If you don’t know how to do the math, you’re not building a business. You’re surviving check to check and think you need more work, when you do not. So here’s the plan: This Tuesday & Thursday on IG, I’m walking you through our Contractor Price Builder Worksheet FREE on instagram live. We will cover: - How to calculate your real hourly rate - The difference between markup and margin - Why profit is a non-negotiable - And how to price with confidence Join the session. Bring your numbers.How to back up job photos and files from Jobber?
Hey all, just wondering if this is something others have run into. A few of our clients have been talking about how they handle long-term storage of job photos and documents, especially when staff leave, or when they want to organize files outside of Jobber. Some mentioned wanting to move things to Google Drive or DropBox automatically, but I’m not sure how common that need really is. Just curious, have you or your team thought about this? Is keeping a backup of Jobber media files part of your process, or not really a concern? Appreciate any thoughts! JoshHow do lawn care and arborist businesses mount hedge trimmers inside enclosed trailers?
Hello lawncare / arborists, I have a new Echo Gas hedge trimmer that I want to hang up in my enclosed trailer. How does everyone transport them around? Any home made hanger ideas or store bought ready to go options? Thanks, ~Jon - Blue Phoenix Yard Care~4 wheel drive and winter tires.
In my past jobs I was always provided a work truck. All companies would buy the standard Chevy Colorado 2 door WT, rear wheel drive and all weather tires. If there was a bad snow storm, sometimes I couldn't even get out of my driveway! Funny thing is, back then I didn't care, I was an employee and if I can't make it safely, it was the companies problem to figure out. Now that I have started my own business I have decided that I would buy a 4 wheel drive truck and install winter tires. I want to be available to my customers no matter what the weather and I don't want any excuses. I feel I can safely make it to a home or business no matter the weather and I think that is going to make me stand out to customers. I know that not all businesses have cold weather problems to deal with but in Ontario where I live and operate, I think being ready for winter is very important. If anyone is thinking about purchasing a work vehicle, and live in a snowy area, I would highly recommend making the investment in a 4 wheel drive vehicle with good tires!
Outside workers, what are you doing to stay busy in the winter months?
I wonder what other service providers are doing in the winter months? Are you taking the time for your team and you to relax and recuperate? Holding training sessions? Are you offering other services to stay productive? We have relationships with homeowners and business owners and can offer other services for them, wondering of there are are crazy shifts in services out there? For example, the lawn guy at my parents house puts up their Christmas lights and decorations. Would love to hear other stories like that!Looking to collaborate with Junk removal, landscape or cleaning companies.
Hello Jobber world, I am a small Canadian owned and operated pest control company operating in Toronto, Ontario. I am putting this message out to try to get in touch with a small commercial cleaning, landscape and junk removal company to share some work. Also open to creative ideas also, pressure washing comapnies, HVAC, construction, lawn care...anything we can do as small business owners to share the work. My business model is a full service pest control company, and all three of these services are going to be offered to my customers due to the importance of each. I plan to do most of it myself at the beginning, but would like to have some other local Canadian owned small business owners to share work leads. I do not want to work with a large operation to outsource work because I am a huge believer in owner/operated businesses, hence why I (and likely yourself) started my own business I would love to hear from anyone reading this and you can email me anytime at pestfreecanada@gmail.com
