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 👇
How can lawn care businesses manage seasonal recurring work and annual rescheduling?
I do lawn care. it is seasonal. i come back every year, unless requested not to. i am requesting a way to group customers in that way. meaning, that the service goes from EX: march 15-oct 31. at oct 31, the job ends but on march 15th it repopulates. (if you seen my other post property based pricing, any price increases, they should carry over to that job). for me i have basically 2 types of seasons. i do weekly until oct 15th basically, and then go every other week till thanksgiving. I came from yard book and basically built the job added one to the weekly group and then made one more to the biweekly for the fall. I never had to recreate the job it was automatic. nice for seasonal services. also for scheduling, please let us just pick a date and not have a recurring job go for x weeks months days or whatever. its a pain.How can businesses offer prepaid discounts without accepting card payments on specific quotes?
I offer prepayment for the season discounts to customers. as there is already a discount, i do not want to take a card payment as there are fees associated with that and i am not eating that on top of the discount. is there a way to make it where card payments are not accepted on individual quotes. I don't need or want to do it across the board.
Scheduling For Lawn Care -UK
Hi - I signed up for Jobber a while ago when I was working for another company. I've now gone independent and I'm trying to streamline the diary/schedule. The majority of customer's are on a programme so I've set recurring visits up for approx. 10 week intervals. The last software I used focused on routes, you added a customer to a particular route and any alteration, if the day needed to be rescheduled for instance, was done to the route and subsequently all customers would move to the new date. I'm finding with jobber that you have to edit each individual customer which is time consuming. Also is there a quick way to change a customers job from one off to recurring? ~Any feed back would be appreciatedHow do lawn care businesses manage and reuse email templates for quotes, renewals, and follow-ups?
Would love the option to select email templates. HAd that on a previous crm. for what im doing right now. i do lawn care. i have renewals i am sending out, previous customers im sending them quotes, and reaching out for other customers who used me for other services. they ea need their own opening email. on top of i offer prepay to current customers. it would be nice to be able to select the template for it to drop in where appropriate. sure have the super generic one, but sometimes they need a bit of love. as of now my work flow looks like this. create the email templates in a word document. go to create quote. then email customer. go to word document and copy and paste. yes it works. would be nice to be in house. also for the searching of templates, i will say it can get cluttered. it would nice if you open email, there is the super generic email. a button to the side, replace with a template, you click it creates a drop down menu. it would be great to have folders, that templates can be in, and then you click that folder to get where you want. they can all be there as one list, but the folders, should in theory make it easier to find what your looking for especially, if one is bad a naming them. for me it would look like (big folders) all my main services, mowing aeration seeding, christmas lights. under that i would have current customser former customers prepay email (as thats a seperat thing) etc. not sure if that makes sense.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.Looking for Landscape Design Software & Training!
We launched our landscaping division last year with great success. We are looking to implement a landscape design software and wondering what others are using. We mostly do yard makeovers, garden design and some light hardscaping. We would like a software that is user friendly but not too basic. The 3 that have come up when we are searching is Dynascape, Pro Landscape+ and Procreate. We are curious what other landscapers are using and why? Also, any advice on training for the recommended software. Thanks!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.
