First Key Employee
Hey everyone, we have a remodeling company and made my first big hire and I don't think he's the right fit. this employee is very expensive and does not produce enough for the company. What are some questions I should ask to my next hire that would help weed out the good from bad. Thanks!Industry virtual networking starting March 17
Update: Our 4-week networking pilot has wrapped. Thank you to everyone who joined! We brought pros together across industries for weekly 30-minute sessions focused on real business challenges, and the conversations delivered. There was strong participation, valuable idea-sharing, and great feedback from those who joined. 👉 The goal was simple: bring a challenge and get ideas from other pros, and that’s exactly what happened. We’re now taking what we learned and determining next steps, with plans to likely bring these back in the future. If you found these valuable, or are interested in joining future sessions, let us know in the comments and we’ll keep you posted on what’s next. Really appreciate everyone who took the time to be part of this!Milwaukee 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 Referral Systems Are Changing the Home Improvement Game
Referral programs aren’t new, but they’re becoming a huge part of the home improvement world. Homeowners want trusted pros, and contractors want more jobs—referrals make that happen. Why They Work People trust word-of-mouth over ads. A referral from a friend or neighbor carries weight, and when companies reward that, it’s a win-win for everyone. How People Are Using Them Homeowners save money – Discounts or perks for referring friends. Contractors grow their business – More jobs without spending big on ads. Loyalty programs – Earn rewards for multiple referrals. Community referrals – Nextdoor, Facebook groups, and forums are full of trusted recommendations. Make It Work for You If you're a contractor, a solid referral program can bring in quality leads without the heavy marketing costs. Try something simple—offer $50 off the next project for both the referrer and the new client when they book. It’s an easy way to keep customers coming back while bringing in new ones who already trust your work. Are you currently using a referral program with your business? Drop a comment!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!
Best ways to track material costs?
Tracking material costs in the electrical contracting industry is critical because supply prices (wire, conduit, breakers, panels, etc.) fluctuate frequently due to market demand, copper prices, and supply chain changes. A strong system protects profit margins, improves estimating accuracy, and helps maintain consistent pricing for customers. How does your company keep track?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???
