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 »
By Horacio Galaviz | Cilio PRO Advisor | Former VP of Operations, Eclipse Flooring I have managed subcontractor networks for eleven years. At different points, more directly. At others, more indirectly. But always, the same truth held. The network is not a support function. It is the business. Everything the customer experiences flows through the installer at the door.
A Pro Advisor Perspective: The Subcontractor Network Is Your Business 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 »
On March 19th, 2026, Cilio hosted a webinar titled “Leads, Labor & Lending.” The session brought together (6) industry experts to help home services contractors navigate a market that feels more unpredictable than ever. Gary White, VP at Installations Made Easy, provided current housing and retail trends. Josh, CEO of Toolbelt, spoke about workforce and labor capacity. Ken Conway from Bayview Financial/Fastlane Lending shared insights on lending and
Leads, Labor and Lending: The Three Pillars Every Contractor Must Master in 2026 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 »
With fiscal 2025 now in the books, earnings reports from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and other major suppliers offer a clear view of where the home improvement market stands heading into 2026. If you skim the headlines, you’ll see familiar language: “Cautious consumer.”“Soft discretionary spending.”“Flat guidance.”“Pressure from the housing market.” But when you look
Q4 2025 Earnings: What the Big Boxes and Suppliers Are Signaling for Contractors in 2026 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 »
As 2025 wraps up, we’re proud to look back on a year full of progress, partnership, and powerful tools designed just for contractors like you. From big product upgrades to stronger integrations and deeper connections across the home improvement world, Cilio has been right there, helping you work smarter, faster, and easier. We’ve strengthened our
Cilio 2025 Year in Review: A Year of Growth and Innovation Read More »
Steady demand. Careful customers. Strong signs for Pros. The Big Box retailers just released their Q3 2025 numbers, and while the economy still has its challenges, the home improvement sector showed more stability than many expected. Contractors won’t find explosive growth in these reports, but you will find something just as important: a market that’s
Q3 2025 Big Box Earnings: What Contractors Can Expect Heading Into 2026 Read More »
