Kristen R. Bayles

While project stakeholders maintain that closeout on a development of this scale can take months, and in some cases years, the mounting number of mechanics' liens underscores the financial strain unresolved payment disputes can place on specialty contractors and subcontractors.

Water doesn’t care about travel plans or escaping the Alabama heat, or whether the right contractor is available before Monday morning. It finds the weak point, and if that weak point goes unnoticed long enough, a small issue can become a much bigger one.

The latest numbers indicate that residential demand remains under pressure, particularly for electric storage water heaters, while commercial shipments present a more mixed picture. 

At a time when supply chains, workforce development and economic resilience remain top concerns, many manufacturers are reaffirming their commitment to producing products in the United States. Beyond supporting local jobs, domestic operations can offer greater quality control, shorter lead times, closer collaboration between engineering and production teams, and stronger connections to customers and distribution partners.

For many contractors, heat pump water heaters still feel like a niche product; something tied more closely to rebates, energy programs or high-efficiency upgrades than to everyday water heater replacement work. But, according to Gregg Holladay of Bradford White, that perception is about to change quickly.

Continuing education is no longer just about learning what is new. It is about protecting quality, reducing risk and making sure contractors are prepared for the systems they will be expected to install and service next.

Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results.

The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. 

Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook.