The AI Trades

The AI Trades Blog

AI tools, marketing tactics, and automation strategies for home service contractors.

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Business Growth Lead Generation Recurring Revenue

How to Recession-Proof Your Contractor Business: 7 Moves to Make Now

Roofing leads cost $228 each. Here are 7 moves contractors are making now to survive a downturn without slashing prices.

April 8, 2026 · 8 min read
Business Growth Customer Management Contractor Strategy

How to Fire Bad Customers: The Scripts Contractors Use Without Burning Bridges

Roofers pay $228 per lead. Learn the exact scripts contractors use to fire bad customers without tanking their reputation.

April 7, 2026 · 8 min read
Business Growth Multi-Trade Operations Contractor Strategy

How to Add a Second Trade to Your Contractor Business

Home services cost per lead rose 10.51% in 2025. Adding a second trade can spread that cost if you do it right.

April 5, 2026 · 8 min read
Branding Marketing Business Growth

How to Build a Contractor Brand That Commands Premium Pricing

Brand building for contractors. Logo, truck wraps, online presence, and reputation systems that differentiate your business and justify higher prices.

September 26, 2025 · 3 min read
Business Growth Recurring Revenue Operations

How to Create a Maintenance Agreement Program

Step-by-step guide to creating a maintenance agreement program for your contractor business. Pricing, packaging, selling, and managing recurring service plans.

September 22, 2025 · 3 min read
Business Growth Commercial Sales

How to Win Commercial Contracts as a Home Service Contractor

How to break into commercial work as a residential contractor. Finding opportunities, bidding, insurance requirements, and relationship building.

September 20, 2025 · 3 min read
Sales Customer Management Business Growth

How to Upsell Home Service Customers (Without Being Pushy)

How to upsell additional services to home service customers. Ethical upselling strategies that increase average ticket and customer satisfaction.

September 14, 2025 · 3 min read
Business Growth Networking Lead Generation

How to Build a Contractor Referral Network

How to build a referral network with other contractors. Cross-trade referrals, networking strategies, and partnership structures for home service businesses.

September 12, 2025 · 3 min read
Sales Recurring Revenue Business Growth

How to Sell Maintenance Agreements for Home Services

How to build and sell maintenance agreements for contractor businesses. Pricing, packaging, sales scripts, and retention strategies for recurring revenue.

August 31, 2025 · 3 min read
Pricing Sales Business Growth

How to Increase Average Ticket for Contractors

Strategies to increase average ticket size for home service contractors. Upselling, good/better/best pricing, and add-on services that boost revenue per job.

August 29, 2025 · 3 min read
Hiring Operations Business Growth

How to Hire Technicians for Your Home Service Business

How to find, interview, and retain technicians for home service businesses. Recruiting strategies that work in a tight labor market.

August 23, 2025 · 3 min read
Business Growth Plumbing Scaling

How to Scale a Plumbing Business: Growth Playbook

Growth playbook for plumbing businesses. From solo plumber to multi-truck operation - hiring, systems, marketing, and operations strategies.

August 21, 2025 · 3 min read
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