How Fast Do You Pick Up a Phone Call or Call Someone Back After a Missed Call?
Curious how everyone here handles this, because a new Jobber survey of recent homebuyers turned up a stat that stuck with me: 15% had to follow up repeatedly just to get a response from a contractor 9% never heard back at all Losing potential business due to something that is not a pricing problem or a skill problem should be a wake up call. In a world where 75% of new homeowners hire a pro within their first two years of buying, being the one who calls back first might be the easiest job you win all week! So, what's your business standard? Do you answer within a certain time frame or let it go to voicemail and call back same day? Are there systems set up so nothing slips through the cracks? 👉 Recent Homebuyer Report: It's got homeowner quotes on what made them trust (or ditch) a contractor, plus a breakdown of how each generation actually finds a pro.Equipment / asset history per unit: how are you handling it today?
I've seen a few threads asking for equipment tracking in Jobber (model, serial, install date, warranty, and service history per unit). I'm curious how people are working around it today: - Custom fields on the property? - Nameplate photos attached to visits? - A separate spreadsheet or app? - Or does it mostly live in your techs' heads? And a second question: what would matter more to you (a) giving the customer a history report for their unit, or (b) getting a list of who's due for maintenance, whose warranty is ending, or whose 12+ year-old unit is ready for a replacement quote, so you can book the work? Transparency: I'm a founder building an add-on in this area, and I want to build what you'd actually use, not what I assume. Not linking anything here. If you'd be up for a quick 15-minute chat about how your shop handles this, just reply here and I'll reach out. Thanks!What’s the ONE piece of equipment or tool you bought that actually paid for itself in week one?
We’ve all bought tools or software features that promised the world, only to collect dust in the back of the truck or end up ignored on our dashboards. Every once in a while, though, you pick up a piece of gear, diagnostic tool, or workflow tweak that instantly changes the game—saving hours of labor, preventing a massive callback, or closing bigger jobs on the spot. We want to tap into the community's collective experience: 👇 What is the best investment (under $500 or over) you’ve made for your service business that paid for itself almost instantly?How are you handling maintenance and downtime on your pressure washing equipment?
I am curious how other exterior cleaning contractors are keeping their setups running smoothly throughout the season. When you get a pump failure, unloader issue, or engine breakdown right in the middle of a busy week, do you handle all the repairs yourself in-house, or do you take your gear to a local shop to get back on the job faster? Also, how many hours are you running your hot water skids or main units before doing a full oil and filter change? Curious to hear what maintenance routines are working best for you guys to prevent unexpected downtime in the field.Are you charging deposits on standard service quotes, or sticking to pay-upon-completion?
With material costs shifting and scheduling calendars filling up, securing commitment upfront makes a huge difference in cash flow and no-show prevention. How are you handling quote deposits or job approvals with new clients? Are customers pushing back on upfront deposits in your area, or has it helped weed out non-serious leads?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.Roll Call! Meet & introduce yourself to other Cleaning and Property Maintenance pros
If you’ve ever thought, “How are other businesses like mine handling this?” you’re in the right place! This space is for Cleaning and Property Maintenance industry pros to connect, compare notes, and talk shop with others who understand the day-to-day realities of running your type of business. 👋 Introduce Yourself Drop a comment and tell us: Your name Business name Industry Years in business Location (City/State/Province) Let us know if you’re joining us for LIVE networking on March 17 (more details below) The more context you share, the better connections you’ll make. 🙌 Pro tip: Search your city or state in the forum to easily find other pros in your area. 📅 Want to connect LIVE? We’re running a pilot to host virtual weekly LIVE Industry Networking starting on March 17, running until April 7. If you’d be interested in joining for the first or following sessions (don’t need to commit to all but you're welcome to join!), make sure to let us know in the comments. 🤝 Culture of this space Think of this forum board like a room full of peers who understand your world. Share what’s working. Ask real questions. Talk through challenges. The goal is to power your success and raise the standard of home service industries together. 💬 Looking for conversation starters? This space works best when conversations are industry-specific and experience-based. You might jump in with something like: “How are other [industry] pros pricing this service right now?” “Is anyone else seeing this shift in their market?” “What’s been working for you when it comes to ____?" 🤔 Why are industries grouped together? We’ve intentionally clustered similar industries to keep conversations active and relevant. These groupings reflect shared business models, operational challenges, and pricing conversations so you can learn from peers who “get it,” even if they’re not in your exact trade. If your question applies to all home service businesses, feel free to post in our broader forum boards. Pro tip: Check out the industry tags to get even more specific Looking forward to seeing this space come to life. 🚀What’s the single biggest mistake you see new guys make during the seasonal rush?
When the weather turns and the schedule gets packed solid, what’s the one mistake green technicians or new business owners make that completely ruins their day—or their bottom line? Drop the #1 lesson you had to learn the hard way below.
Are local marketing companies worth hiring to manage your online presence?
We keep getting calls and emails from different companies offering to manage our online presence or do our marketing. In the past we have worked with yelp and with Angi's list. To be honest, I was disappointed with both. Has anyone worked with local companies that help manage your online aspect? If so, has it been a good experience, or is it scammy?What's your protocol for handling unexpected property damage on site?
Accidents happen no matter how careful you are. When a crew member accidentally breaks a light fixture, cracks a paver, or damages something on a customer's property, what is your immediate step-by-step process? How do you communicate it to the homeowner, and what is your policy for handling the repair or credit?
