The home improvement industry is facing a major challenge: skilled labor is disappearing faster than it can be replaced. More than 40% of current workers are expected to retire in the next five years. That’s over a million installers, roofers, and tradespeople leaving the field at a time when demand is as high as ever.
Contractors are already feeling the squeeze. Smaller crews, tighter schedules, and higher customer expectations make it harder to get jobs done right and on time. Offering higher wages can help attract workers, but it also cuts into already thin margins.
The real solution isn’t to simply hire harder. You have to build a company where people want to work and give them tools that make their jobs easier.
Rethinking How You Find and Keep Talent
Recruiting has changed. Posting job ads and waiting for candidates isn’t enough anymore. The best people are already working, sometimes outside your industry. That means you need to get creative.
Look Beyond Job Boards
A strong work ethic is harder to teach than technical skills. Don’t overlook people in retail, restaurants, or service jobs who consistently go the extra mile. With the right training, they can become valuable crew members. The good news is that many of them want a new career.
Build Community Connections
Local groups, immigrant communities, and churches are often untapped sources of loyal workers. Reaching out directly can uncover talent that others miss.
Grow Your Own Workforce
Apprenticeship programs, especially for veterans or young people, show potential employees a clear path forward. Pair training with mentorship and you’ll build loyalty as well as skill.
Partner With Schools
Trade schools and vocational programs are full of eager workers looking for opportunities, and schools are eager for industry professionals to speak to their student bodies. Be the company that finds them first and trains them right.
Reduce Friction
You can’t simply throw money at the problem and expect to retain talent. You must reduce the friction that makes working in the trades difficult. Skilled workers want to do their job without wasting time chasing paperwork, dealing with poor communication, or fighting a disorganized schedule.
Where Technology Makes the Difference
Reducing friction for your crews starts with giving them simple, practical tools. Smartphones have already transformed how we travel, spend our free time, and access information. Extending that same technology to the way we work is the natural next step.
That’s where Cilio helps. Our job management platform removes the headaches that drive installers away. Cilio also gives you a competitive edge in the field.
With Cilio you get:
Everything In One Place
From job scope to photos to customer details, your crews and office staff have the info they need without jumping between apps, emails, and texts.
Simple Scheduling
No matter if your office schedules by phone, text, or lets customers self-schedule online, Cilio’s scheduling features make it easier to keep everyone on track.
Route Optimization
Less windshield time means more jobs per day, higher revenue, and happier crews.
Crew-Friendly Mobile App
Cilio’s mobile app is fast, intuitive, and built for real-world use so your teams can focus on the work, not the paper trail.
Seamless Communication
Keep customers updated before they have to ask, while keeping crews and the office aligned. Cilio’s advanced communication features turn new customers into raving fans.
Being busy is good. But with the right tools and talent you can scale efficiently, retain your crews, and turn a labor shortage into an opportunity for growth.
To see Cilio in action, schedule a 10-minute call or demo today!
