What Should Home Service Businesses Automate First to Save Time?
Small manual tasks start stacking up, catching up on follow-ups, re-adjusting scheduling, invoicing, review requests, the list goes on and on. Sound familiar? What’s one task you’re still doing manually that you know could be automated? What’s stopping you from setting it up?How do home service businesses fill their calendar before busy season?
When work slows down, most service businesses feel it fast: stress, cash flow pressure, and last-minute scrambling. Sound familiar? What’s the one thing you rely on most before busy season to keep your calendar full? New leads Repeat customers Referrals Deposits or upfront payments Booking weeks in advance Something else? (do tell!) Bonus: What used to stress you out about slow periods that doesn’t anymore?Will AI replace jobs in home service and skilled trades?
I saw an article yesterday about all the tech jobs that are being replaced by AI and I thought about how hard that would be to know your position can be replaced by someTHING that can do it faster and cheaper than you can. Then I thought how happy I am that I decided a long time ago that I am going to work with my hands. Be handy. Solve real problems. I would be safe in saying that AI is never going to cut your lawn, remove your junk, exterminate your bed bugs, plumb in or wire your home. Am I going to regret saying this? Is AI reading thins and just started plotting to take all our jobs???How Are Home Service Businesses Preparing for AI Search Visibility?
Search is changing fast. We’ve already seen Google test online estimates and AI-assisted pricing in local search. Now, AI tools are helping homeowners decide who to call, sometimes before they ever visit a website. Scorpion Marketing published a report with the following stats: 22% of homeowners are already using AI tools to research services or get recommendations 80% of business owners say they don’t know how to prepare for AI-driven search visibility We’d love to hear what you’re seeing👇 Have you noticed changes in how customers find you or ask questions? Are you doing anything intentionally today to prep for AI-driven search? If AI search on your radar but still confusing, what question do you have? This space will continue to evolve. Sharing what’s working (or not) across different trades helps everyone get ahead of it!Best Jobber Automations
I just wanted to get a post going for these. They can be super powerful in your business and I feel like they don't get talked about enough sometimes. What are your best Jobber automations you have set up?? I really enjoy dashboards myself that give more custom information about my business. I like to use Airtable / Asana / Zapier. Cheers !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 👇What’s your go-to move when a customer doesn’t pay on time?
Do you send a reminder, make a call, wait it out, or have a process you stick to every time? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Wilson Betances (EnergizeUs) talks about: Why unpaid invoices are a major cash flow problem What happens when invoicing and follow-ups aren’t taken seriously Simple systems and habits that businesses can actually maintain Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
How do service businesses track service contracts and manage multi-day or multi-visit jobs?
Hello! How are you entering and keeping track of service contracts? We sell, install and service generators and want to make sure we are properly tracking these and ensuring renewals don't slip through the cracks. Some are once a year visit, some need 2 visits, some need 4. How do you guys do this? What about jobs that require multiple visits? Our installs take time from the moment we get the project approved, to then getting the permit approved, and the individual days of work, inspections, etc. Looking for tips on this. Thanks!How do you train your team so they can run the business without you being everywhere?
In this episode of the Masters of Home Service (around the 17:35 mark), Jeff Guldalian (@The360Electrician) breaks down how training your team gives them the authority, foresight, and knowledge to make fewer mistakes—and as a result, get fewer phone calls from upset customers. Do you have any training tips that have helped you let go of some of the daily burdens so you don't have to be everything, everywhere, all at once?
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!
