When the market slows, the first instinct is usually to go looking for more leads. That makes sense. Contractors need a steady pipeline of new opportunities. But before you increase the advertising budget or launch another promotion, take a closer look at the opportunities already sitting inside your business. The estimate that went quiet three
Your Next Job May Already Be in Your System Read More »
Most contractors still think of themselves as construction businesses. Roofing companies install roofs. Flooring companies install floors. Kitchen remodelers renovate kitchens. That is all still true. But as these companies grow, something else happens behind the scenes. The business becomes less about individual jobs and more about coordinating people, schedules, communication, materials, systems, and expectations
Contractors Are Becoming Coordination Businesses Read More »
Most contractors did not intentionally build a complicated software stack. It just happened over time. One platform handled leads. Another handled quoting. Someone added a scheduling app. Accounting lived somewhere else. Then came customer communication tools, an app for jobsite photos, one for taking payments, spreadsheets, retailer portals, and mobile apps for crews in the
The Contractor Tech Stack Problem Nobody Talks About Read More »
Last week at FAST Remodeler Live in Nashville, we walked the sponsor floor. The pattern was hard to miss. AI marketing platforms. Lead generation. Financing tools. All-in-one CRMs promising to do everything from first call to final invoice. Nearly every vendor at the event was selling something to help a contractor win more work. Very
The Industry Is Selling Contractors the Wrong Software Read More »
If you’ve worked within Lowe’s installation programs for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed the same pattern. When a job goes poorly, the customer completes the survey. When a job goes well, you hear nothing. The result is a response rate that hovers around three percent, with feedback that often skews negative. That creates
Why Lowe’s Customers Don’t Complete LTR Surveys (and What to Do About It) Read More »
“Why are we staying busy but not making more money?” It’s a question a lot of contractors are asking right now. Crews are working. Jobs are getting done. But when you look at the numbers, something feels off. In many cases, the issue isn’t the work you’re winning. It’s what happens after the sale, when
How Contractors Lose Profits After the Sale Read More »
By Paul Wyman Over the past three decades I’ve worked with installation contractors across the country through national programs at both The Home Depot and Lowe’s Companies, Inc.. During that time, I’ve seen small contractors grow into large regional providers. I’ve also seen capable companies struggle and eventually walk away from big box work altogether.
By Nick Mraz: Cilio PROAdvisor Technology projects in the trades rarely fail because the software is bad. They fail because they are designed backwards. I have led six Salesforce implementations across building materials companies. I have worked inside SAP environments, Oracle systems, and custom-built ERP platforms. I have seen large enterprises over-engineer. I have seen
A ProAdvisor Perspective: Start With the Customer and Work Backwards Read More »
2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for home contractors and installers across the industry. The way you work, the tools you use, and what customers expect are all shifting fast. To understand how these trends will impact your day-to-day operations, you need to consider how they affect business growth, crew motivation, and
What Home Installation Companies Should Watch for in 2026 Read More »
The Real Challenge Starts After the Sale Winning a job is only half the battle. For most contractors, the real challenge begins after the contract is signed when materials, schedules, and people all need to come together. That’s the point where even experienced teams can lose time, profit, and customer trust. Most software in the
How Smart Contractors Keep Jobs on Track Read More »
