Upsides and downsides of hiring a summer helper?
I am thinking about hiring someone to help me in the busy season and the idea of a high school kid as a summer job sounds like a promising idea. I wouldn't have to pay them a crazy salary, they are like sponges with information and they are typically more physically full of energy. I wouldn't be able to send them on their own, but they could help me get a few more jobs done in a day. I am wondering if anyone has tried this and what would be the pros and cons of doing it?
Transitioning from Landscape Maintenance to Higher Earning / Project Work
For those who started in maintenance, how did you transition into larger projects like hardscaping and design? Did you train your existing crew or build a separate team? I’m trying to figure out the best path forward without disrupting our current operations. Any advice from those who’ve made that shift would be really helpful.Screening Applicants: Do You Disqualify Low-Effort Responses?
I recently posted a help wanted ad on Facebook (business page + shared to personal). It outlines our service model—handyman work focused on active real estate listings—and includes tiered roles with pay ranges. At the end of the post, I asked interested candidates to message me with: Their experience in handyman/construction work The types of projects they’re comfortable handling Whether they have their own tools and transportation I’ve received a decent number of responses, but most are extremely low-effort—things like “Hi” or “I’m a contractor looking for work.” Not a single person has followed the instructions in the post. That’s raising a concern for me, since this business relies heavily on clear scopes, communication, and the ability to follow directions, especially when working on inspection-related repairs with tight timelines. My question: Am I being unreasonable to treat this as an initial filter and write these candidates off? Or is this just typical behavior at the top of the funnel that I should expect and manage differently? Would appreciate how others are handling this. This is my first time hiring help.
How do you handle unreliable employees in a home service business?
Hello! I run a Home Remodeling & Handyman business, and we're excited to share that we've recently expanded to include a Cleaning Division. We've noticed that in our area, many folks are eager for jobs but sometimes lack the commitment to follow through. How do you navigate this challenge? We've already offered competitive pay, which is quite high for our area, yet issues like poor communication, missed appointments, and subpar work still pop up. I'm curious to hear how others have managed similar situations and what strategies you've found effective—whether it's offering career growth opportunities, enforcing strict communication policies, or even increasing wages further. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!What are dealbreakers for keeping someone around?
We had a situation where we had a manager that was really good with clients, but was always 5-10 minutes late to appointments, and he struggled with using jobber (frustrating because jobber is so easy). So he was good face to face and the actual management of jobs but those two things he just couldn't grasp. Sooo I let him go after trying to work with him on it. Too harsh? I felt like you could be the smoothest person ever but if you can't do the basics, it was going to lead to trouble down the road. I'd love to hear your opinions on different things you won't compromise on outside of the obvious ones (drinking on the job, being unprofessional etc).What’s one thing you do to make your employees feel valued?
What’s something you do that makes your employees feel respected, supported, and appreciated? And want to stay with your company? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Savannah Revis and KellyGuerrero talk about what happens when more women step into leadership roles in the trades. They share: Why empathy doesn't mean lowering standards, it builds loyalty How respect inside your company snowballs into better client experiences Why strong work culture (not just pay) is what keeps employees long-term Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
What hiring tactic has made the biggest difference in building your team?
Here I am 17 years in and still working on my hiring strategy, process etc. I am often reminded that you need "the one thing/idea/process/strategy" to be successful at something. What is your one thing with regards to hiring that really worked for you?
