To help you understand the trends surrounding AI and other new technologies and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe.) You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
AI isn’t just coming for white collar jobs. It’s also quickly being adopted in blue collar fields, taking on administrative tasks to save time, score more sales and boost customer satisfaction.
Many home service contractors have already tried AI for work, especially as it gets integrated into popular trade-specific business software. There’s a growing number of HVAC pros, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, painters, cleaners and home remodelers who use AI regularly.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Tradespeople who are AI users are saving four hours per week on average, according to a recent survey by Housecall Pro, a software platform for trade professionals. The survey found that 40% of their customers are actively using AI, with workers under 35 especially likely to use AI daily. Both big and small companies are part of the trend, even solo operations.
“Our customers are used to using tools in their business and see AI as another tool, like any other tool in their tool bag,” says Roland Ligtenberg, senior VP of innovation at Housecall Pro.
Back-office work
Top uses today include marketing, customer service, scheduling and paperwork. AI tools can automate marketing content for websites or online ads. Housecall Pro’s “Write it for me” tool helps craft website copy, customer responses and emails, simply by providing a short prompt. An AI voice assistant can answer calls 24/7, book a job and put it in the calendar. Customer emails can get automated responses and suggested appointment times. AI-generated reminders, sent via text or email, can help secure a job after giving an estimate.
AI can also help with data entry and financials, such as automated invoices or pricing recommendations. Need to know how many water heaters Joe installed last month, so you can pay him? Just ask an AI chatbot.
Expect AI to soon become standard for many home services companies. Vendors are looking carefully at what may spark more adoption. Some businesses want more information before they trust and understand AI, waiting to see detailed case studies and clear examples of a good return on investment.
A 'one-stop shop' for trades
Besides Housecall Pro, other software vendors with AI include Jobber and ServiceTitan. Housecall Pro’s basic package for one user starts at $59 per month and includes tools for scheduling, quotes, booking, invoices and more, plus access to their AI tech. ServiceTitan has a personalized AI assistant dubbed FieldAssist to answer questions related to your company’s data.
Ligtenberg notes that using AI with Housecall Pro’s cloud platform means companies don’t have to pay attention to confusing and constant AI updates at leading tech companies. As AI models improve, Housecall Pro can swap in any underlying AI tech upgrades to improve voice assistants or other tools. “Our customers just want everything in one place,” says Ligtenberg.
Trade businesses are often experimenting with low-risk tasks first, such as writing marketing copy, where mistakes wouldn’t be costly to fix. Soon, more will shift to more important work, such as scheduling and dispatching, which needs to be highly accurate, to AI tools.
AI can be used for old-school media, too. Housecall Pro’s AI can come up with pithy text for a 4-inch by 6-inch printed postcard mailed to prospective customers, a tried and true marketing practice that local and national trades companies still rely on.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
- What Is AI? Artificial Intelligence 101
- How AI Can Guide Introverts to Success in Professional Services
- AI in Accounting: The Future Is Here
- The AI Doctor Coming to Read Your Test Results
- AI Is Missing the Wisdom of Older Adults
-
Why is My First Medicare Bill So High?Your first Medicare bill may be higher than expected for several reasons. If your premiums aren't taken out of your Social Security benefit, the bill can be huge.
-
11 Unforgettable Road Trips to Take in RetirementMore than a travel trend, the road trip is a quintessential American tradition, with millions of us taking them each year. Here's a guide to helping you choose your next adventure.
-
4 Career Moves to Make Now if You're Worried About a RecessionWorried about a recession? These steps to protect your job prospects will help you professionally whether a downturn develops or not.
-
How StoryCorps Works and How You Can Tell Your StoryStoryCorps has recorded conversations between thousands of people, and anyone can participate. National facilitator Alan Jinich explains how to share your story.
-
Think Twice Before Getting a Credit Card Cash AdvanceA credit card cash advance can be a quick solution when you need emergency help with money. But you'll pay for the convenience with high interest and fees.
-
What is AI Worth to the Economy?The Letter Spending on AI is already boosting GDP, but will the massive outlays being poured into the technology deliver faster economic growth in the long run?
-
The New Rules for Student LoansWhether you’re paying off education debt now or planning to borrow in the future, get ready for bigger payments and lower loan limits.
-
How to Manage the Cost of Your Child's WeddingAs the price of getting married soars, footing the bill is becoming a true family affair.
-
How to Handle Costly Medical Bills — SmartlyIf you’re looking for a way to pay for looming health care expenses, or if you’ve already fallen into debt, you have avenues to ease the burden.
-
The Future of Financial Advice Is Human: Gen Z Trusts Advisers, But AI Skills MatterGraduates entering the workforce trust human advisers more than AI tools with their financial planning. But AI can still enhance the client/adviser relationship.
