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Home » service contractors

Articles Tagged with ''service contractors''

Camera on a tripod taking a shot on construction site.
Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

Taking photos at jobsites

Lessons learned from decades behind the lens, and why good photos matter as much as good workmanship.
Scott Secor
Scott Secor
January 21, 2026

For contractors, taking high-quality photos at jobsites can be highly beneficial.


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Handyman installing a washing machine at a house.
Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

What’s That Smell? A Troubleshooting Lesson When the Problem Isn’t the Plumbing

A persistent sewer-like odor, three unsuccessful service calls, and one seasoned technician’s methodical approach reveal how easily symptoms can mislead.
Dave Yates
Dave Yates
January 19, 2026

Sometimes, the usual-suspects aren't to blame when it comes to sewer-like odors.


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Old heating system in a basement.
Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

The hazards of servicing old boilers

From crumbling wiring to failing antique controls, the cost and liability of servicing decades-old heating systems often outweigh the benefits.
Scott Secor
Scott Secor
December 19, 2025

Today, we still get calls about older systems. The potential customers often think their house or building is the oldest we have ever seen. I suppose people think every other building on their block has removed the old steam or hot water system and replaced it with something more modern.


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Vivid close-up of a chrome faucet dispensing fresh water, symbolizing hygiene, cleanliness, and home efficiency.
Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

My water stinks: Behind a common customer complaint

What started as a customer complaint years ago comes home, and sparks a deeper look at water quality, anode rods and aerators.
Dave Yates
Dave Yates
December 2, 2025

Well, isn’t this just great: the faucet they purchased from the big box story stinks and now that’s my fault?! On arrival, I could not detect any odor at all, but they insisted there was an odor - except when I was there.


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Group of hands working together on gear mechanism in retro collage 90s style vector illustration.
The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

Culture by design, not default

Kenny Chapman headshot with a white round border frame, 200x200
Kenny Chapman
October 27, 2025

Culture is a vital driver of results. A 2025 Deloitte study found that strong cultures lead to 30% more innovation and 40% higher employee retention, saving companies 90–200% of an employee’s annual salary for each retained worker. In contrast, Gallup estimates disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.8 trillion, or 9% of GDP.



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Plumber fixing a pipe and talking to his clients in the kitchen.
Guest Editorial | Joe Mozzone

Ethics in service businesses: Making production-based business models work

Necessary quality control elements within modern industry ideology.
Joe Mozzone author headshot 200x200
Joe Mozzone
October 16, 2025

As many companies adopt growth-oriented language, it’s important to explore the tactical strategies behind it. Key benchmarks to consider include: What roles do we need to fill in the next few years? How do we retain our experienced employees? Who is our ideal customer and how many will we have in three years? What are our projected revenues in 5 and 10 years? Are our plans aligned with healthy gross and EBITDA margins?


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Female plumbing contractor with her boss servicing a boiler
The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

The energy you bring: A leadership guide for plumbing & HVAC pros

From daily habits to communication style, the energy you show up with can make—or break—your shop’s culture.
Kenny Chapman headshot with a white round border frame, 200x200
Kenny Chapman
October 7, 2025

Your energy drives the tone, the pace, and the performance of your team. If your goal is to create a culture where people show up strong, stay accountable, and do work they’re proud of—guess what? That starts with you showing up that way first.


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Daniel, a plumber with Jolly Plumbing, walking away from a Jolly work truck, a house in the background.

Meet the 2025 Residential Contractor of the Year: Jolly Plumbing, Drains, Heating & Air

Reimagining home services: Jolly Plumbing, Drains, Heating & Air grows through culture, community and change.
Natalie Forster
Natalie Forster
October 7, 2025

When Brady Jolly steps into the office each morning, he’s carrying more than the responsibility of running a nearly 60-person business. He’s carrying forward the legacy of a company his parents founded back in 1979 — a company that has reinvented itself more than once and is today on a mission to "reimagine how the world experiences home services."


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Tools plumbing

Prevention over panic: Educating tenants and customers to avoid costly mishaps

Why preventive plumbing isn’t just a service; it’s the difference between a minor repair and a full-blown disaster.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
September 24, 2025

A proactive replacement of the garbage disposal months earlier would have eliminated the risk entirely. A routine inspection could have flagged the weak points before they failed. Educating tenants about proper system use — no paint down the drain, ever — might have stopped the problem at its source.


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Big, perfect, interesting and old red brick wall texture.
Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

Traffic and the trades: A routine job turns into a lesson in logistics, patience and priorities

Scott Secor
Scott Secor
August 13, 2025

We almost never charge for “add-ons” when doing large contract jobs. We are very thorough when we do estimates, and try to include everything we can think of. As a matter of fact, we have bid and won over a dozen jobs that specifically excluded “change orders.”


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