Articles by Kristen R. Bayles

Software adoption has moved from being a competitive advantage to a core requirement — especially in the face of labor shortages, cost pressures and rising customer expectations.

 Instead of focusing solely on closing out a dispatch, companies should be intentional about building relationships: communicating proactively, documenting their work, and checking back in even after the invoice is paid.

When Ryan Edgington began exploring the value of Oxford Plumbing & Heating out of curiosity, the third-generation owner navigated the sale of a deeply rooted community business while preserving its people-first values. 

I'm grateful my family showed my brother the value of trades. After my great-grandfather's plumbing business closed, my dad became a welder and shared his skills with my brother during many afternoons in the work shed, like an apprentice learning from a master.

Did you know that plumbing apprenticeships can be dated all the way back to the European medieval period? Back in the 1300s-1500s, Masters of trades would take on young, unskilled workers and teach them their craft in exchange for their indentured servitude, wherein they would work for years without pay while they honed their craft.

Stopping the leak is only part of the job. Knowing when to call in a restoration expert can protect plumbers from callbacks, liability and long-term damage.

Across markets, contractors report that moving labor from unpredictable jobsite conditions into controlled fabrication environments is yielding measurable gains: fewer errors, improved safety metrics, and installation timelines compressed from weeks to days.

Franchising offers tradespeople a structured path to entrepreneurship, combining operational know-how, leadership skills and established brands for faster growth and long-term success.

At sea, there’s no backup system for clean water. Every drop must be filtered, pumped and protected — and that’s where plumbers come in. On Mercy Ships’ floating hospitals, skilled volunteers work to maintain these life-sustaining systems, ensuring that the ability to deliver safe, reliable care doesn’t leave when the ship sails away.

Artificial intelligence is being used in a plethora of ways across the trades industry. According to Lynn Wise, CEO of Contractor in Charge, “Plumbing and mechanical contractors are moving past the experimental phase of AI and are adopting practical solutions that integrate directly into their daily operations. These tools are streamlining workflows, enhancing customer service, and boosting profitability.”