AI Receptionist vs Outsourced vs Owners
Hello everyone, New to the community here. Recently launched an HVAC business in Texas, after being in real estate development for nearly 2 decades. Would love to hear your insights on your experience with AI receptionist vs outsourced team vs you answering the calls yourself. I am personally finding our AI receptionist build via RetellAI perhaps isn't the best. But also, majority of calls now are sales calls....so I am really torn on what to do. Any advice and insights would be appreciated. Sincerely, AliceMilwaukee vs DeWalt Tools, which one?
We’re Lock Nerds Locksmith, a Buffalo, NY-based company that’s always relied on Milwaukee tools. But we’re curious—what tools do other pros trust? We're looking for honest pros and cons between Milwaukee and DeWalt to see if it's time for us to reconsider our setup.
How to offer financing options to customers who can’t pay upfront?
As a HVAC Contractor, we are thinking about financing our service to our client who cant affort the Lum some of money up front, can I get some advice for the best way possible to start some kind of financing program from our clients or recommendation of any financing solutions.How do you utilize reports in your business?
I am curious to hear which reports you consider most valuable in your business and what actions are taken based on those reports if anyone is willing to share. Are there reports that you use regularly in Jobber or reports that you wish were part of Jobber? If so how do you utilize the information that the reports provide? Are changes made based on the reports? Is the data used to create the reports monitored internally for consistency? Thanks for sharing all input is helpful!Industry virtual networking starting March 17
We’re trying something new in the community! Starting March 17, we’re hosting a weekly 30-minute networking session for service-based skilled trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliance repair, and more. Join one session or all four—no commitment. These will run once a week until April 7 while we pilot the idea. The goal is simple: Connect with other pros and help each other work through real business challenges. Format: • Quick intros • Everyone shares one challenge • Group feedback and ideas • Quick wrap-up 🕒 Tuesdays at 11:30 AM ET ⏱️ 30 minutes Interested? Comment below and we'll send you a reminder email with the link!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???You down with PPE? Yeah, you know me!
Google AI explains it as "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to any clothing or equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards in the workplace and protect the wearer's health and safety. PPE is considered the last line of defense when other controls cannot eliminate or reduce the hazard adequately." I've always viewed personal protective equipment (PPE) as my primary shield for staying safe and healthy on the job. With machinery that can spin at speeds up to 10,000 RPM, it’s essential to prioritize my protection. What about you? What PPE do you typically use in your work? For me, I rely on: Ear protection: Since most of our tools operate at high decibel levels, it’s crucial to safeguard my hearing. I personally prefer foam earplugs over earmuffs for comfort. Eye protection: When handling equipment like line trimmers, mowers, chainsaws, and blowers, debris can go flying everywhere. I want to ensure my eyes stay safe from any potential hazards. Safety boots: I opt for high-rise boots with steel or composite toes and plates to protect my feet. Long pants: These are important for shielding my legs from rocks and other materials that can become projectiles. Sun hat: Keeping my head and shoulders covered helps shield me from the sun's rays while I work. Remember, taking these precautions not only keeps us safe but also helps us enjoy our work without worry! One more important type of PPE—at least in my view—is knowledge! It’s really vital to have as many staff members trained in First Aid as possible.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.
Suggestions for Jobber
Below is some suggestions I have for Jobber to improve use. This is reviewing the two past years of my company and the complications they have using it. Anymore? Keep it going! Create a filter in clients to separate residential and commercial. Display icon in clients for residential and commercial. Prompt you if a duplicate client is being created. Identical names especially for companies shouldn't be allowed. Option to turn off archived search results when using the search bar. Create a collect payment button for invoices instead of having to click edit invoice to collect payment. Under save invoice options add selection save invoice and mark as sent. Create an edit mode for products and services and for visits. You would click the button allowing you to change the text in the columns and toggle taxable or non taxable. when edit mode is turned off it will save any changes. You can also do a select box so you can deactivate or delete multiple at a time. For visits, dates should be an option in the edit mode. Length of visits should be an option in one off or recurring. Shouldn't just default to all day. Quotes have a bulk archive, this should be added to jobs and requests and for the quotes there should be options such as bulk archive, bulk approve. When converting quotes to a job there should be selection boxes to select which line items you want to convert. And once line items are converted and someone tries to do it again maybe a popup saying this has already been converted to job #______ are you sure you want to proceed? In Manage teams, allow you to create a password for your technician. Sometimes techs are in the field having issues and don't have time to verify and change a password. Administrators should have this option.
