This summer, a couple of different surveys and reports dropped that outlined both the current outlooks of people working in the home services industry and the potential trends shaping the field. We took a look at both of these publications to distill what each one was saying and what that might mean for home services contractors and businesses moving forward.
Jobber Survey
Jobber, a platform that supports blue collar workers and businesses, surveyed over 1,000 home service business owners across the U.S. to get their thoughts on where the industry is headed. They broke down some of their key findings:
- Three-quarters of them expect revenue to grow by the end of 2026, and one in 5 of them predict a significant jump
- Same-day response is expected by over 70% of customers, with more than half expecting a response within the hour
- The three aspects most critical to customer satisfaction are workmanship (69%), clear communication (32%), and professionalism (31%)
- 59% of lead volume is driven by referrals, followed by digital channels like Google (20%), Facebook (32%), and Local Services Ads (LSAs) (19%)
- More than half of businesses now use AI for quoting, invoicing, and emails, with HVAC, plumbing, and roofing leading adoption
Service Nation Report
Let’s also take a look at the report, Ready for What’s Next? 7 Trends Driving Contractor Growth in 2026, put together by Service Nation. While not everyone in the trades is a contractor, the ripples affecting them will impact everyone working in the industry.
AI Adoption
Starting where the previous section ended, we’re talking about the adoption and integration of AI tools and services. A chatbot can’t physically fix a pipe or install a heating system, but there are other ways that the industry is utilizing it. Contractors, technicians, and home service businesses are integrating AI to help with scheduling, quotes, resource planning, and customer communication. In areas like HVAC, AI-powered diagnostic tools are also boosting efficiency by helping technicians troubleshoot more quickly.
Labor and Hiring
The skilled trades as a whole are facing an uphill battle when it comes to filling open positions. The construction industry alone is projected to need to hire 349,000 workers to meet current demand, and this could only get worse as the large Baby Boomer population continues to retire. Beyond investing in programs that introduce younger people to the trades, contractors and companies are also looking into more support services, like additional training and job growth opportunities to improve retention.
Customer Expectations
The ways that clients and homeowners are choosing their home services providers centers around two things in 2026: how quickly they respond and how professional and trustworthy they are. According to a survey from Housecall Pro, 97% of homeowners say response speed and transparent pricing influence who they hire. Additionally, per the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey, 97% of consumers read reviews of local businesses as a vital part of their decision making.
Systemizing Operations
In the Service Nation report, they point out that chaos does not make for a good foundation and can inhibit a business’s ability to grow and scale. Everything from dispatch to customer management to scheduling and follow-up communication needs to be made into a system that is easy and effective for contractors, clients, and technicians. Finances, processes, sales, invoicing—all of it should be documented so it’s easier for new hires to get trained and up to speed.
Marketing Presence
While referrals are still one of the biggest drivers of leads, your online marketing presence remains extremely important. For home services contractors and businesses, because so many of them are local, the ones seeing the most success are those who are focused on honing their Google Business Profiles, investing in their customer retention and communication, and generating reviews. Your online presence needs to be optimized for the people who are searching on their mobile phones and/or by using voice search and AI search functions.
Economic Headwinds
Any kind of investment or upgrade requires money and resources, both of which can be a struggle in the current economic landscape. Businesses and contractors operating on thin margins are facing greater challenges due to higher inflation, industry transformations, and potential rises in employee turnover. Pivotal decisions will have to be made on where any available budget would be best spent, potentially impacting staffing and workloads.
Sustainability
The conversation around climate change and sustainability continues to grow and get louder, and it’s causing a shift in customer expectations. More and more homeowners are looking to engage with companies that prioritize eco-friendly services and practices. Younger generations in particular are more prone to make value-based decisions, choosing to spend their money at businesses that align with their own priorities even if it sometimes means choosing a more expensive service.
Trade-Specific Expectations
The Service Nation report also breaks down some trade-specific trends that they’re noticing:
- HVAC is seeing a shift to an emphasis on maintenance plans versus one-time replacements. High-efficiency HVAC systems like heat pumps are becoming more and more popular.
- Plumbing is seeing a rise in repair work as aging systems need repairs and upgrades. Additionally, more plumbing businesses are moving to flat-rate, options-based pricing for better clarity for customers.
- For electricians, demand is growing for electric vehicle chargers, solar panels, battery systems, and smart panels. Safety and compliance standards are also rising, with a higher bar being set for code enforcement and permits.
Understanding the Shape of Home Services
For home services companies, contractors, and technicians, staying ahead of the curve is vital. Knowing the current and growing trends that are affecting the industry can mean the difference between staying afloat or finding yourself in the red. That can be a struggle when you’re already juggling all of the responsibilities that come with operating in home services, which is why partners like EdwardsSchoen are so important. If you’re looking for support when it comes to navigating the shifts in the home services market, reach out to us so we can discuss the ways we can help your individual business thrive.
