The TradeCraft Blog
Insights, tips, and updates for modern service businesses.
Beyond the Plunger: How to Unclog Your Drains Safely and Effectively
John Doe • September 10, 2024
A clogged drain is a common household nuisance. Before you reach for a bottle of harsh chemicals, try these safer and often more effective methods to get your water flowing again.
Drain Cleaning
Plumbing
DIY
Homeowner Tips
5 Essential Electrical Safety Tips Every Homeowner Needs to Know
The TradeCraft Team • September 8, 2024
Electricity is not something to take lightly. While most electrical work should be left to the pros, understanding these basic safety principles can help prevent accidents and keep your family safe.
Electrical
Safety
Homeowner Tips
Guide
Your Essential Homeowner Roofing Maintenance Checklist
Jane Smith • September 5, 2024
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements. Learn how to safely inspect your roof and perform basic maintenance to catch small problems before they become costly disasters.
Roofing
Maintenance
Checklist
Homeowner Guide
5 Common Plumbing Problems You Can Fix Yourself (And When to Call a Pro)
John Doe • September 3, 2024
A dripping faucet or a running toilet can be annoying and wasteful. Learn how to tackle five of the most common plumbing issues yourself with basic tools and a little know-how.
Plumbing
DIY
Home Repair
Tips
DIY HVAC Maintenance Tips That Can Save You Money
The TradeCraft Team • September 1, 2024
Your HVAC system works hard to keep you comfortable. Learn a few simple maintenance tasks you can perform yourself to improve efficiency, lower your energy bills, and extend the life of your unit.
HVAC
Maintenance
DIY
Homeowner Tips
The Dual Engine of Growth: How to Win New Customers and Keep Them for Life
The TradeCraft Team • August 22, 2024
Acquiring new customers is expensive. Retaining them is profitable. Learn the key strategies for both, and see how the right software is your most powerful tool for sustainable growth.
Customer Service
Business Growth
Marketing
CRM
Stop Leaking Profit: How FSM Software Cuts Costs and Wins Customers
The TradeCraft Team • August 20, 2024
Think field service software is just another expense? Think again. Discover the specific ways a platform like TradeCraft can directly reduce your operating costs and act as your best marketing tool.
Profitability
Efficiency
Customer Service
Business Growth
How TradeCraft Stacks Up: A 2024 FSM Software Comparison
The TradeCraft Team • August 15, 2024
See how TradeCraft compares to other leading Field Service Management software like Jobber and Housecall Pro. A detailed feature and pricing comparison to help you choose the right platform.
Comparison
FSM
Jobber
Housecall Pro
Software
Choosing the Right FSM Software: Key Features to Look For
John Doe • August 12, 2024
Ready to ditch the spreadsheets and paperwork? Choosing the right Field Service Management (FSM) software is a big decision. Here are the essential features your business needs to thrive.
FSM
Software
Business Management
Guide
The Dispatch Board: Your Real-Time Command Center for Field Operations
The TradeCraft Team • August 5, 2024
A calendar shows you when jobs are scheduled, but a dispatch board shows you what's happening *right now*. Learn how this powerful tool provides total visibility and control over your active jobs.
Dispatch
Operations
Efficiency
Features
Unlocking Business Insights: What Your Service Reports Are Telling You
Jane Smith • July 29, 2024
Are you making decisions based on gut feelings or hard data? Learn how to use the reporting features in your FSM software to find your most profitable services and improve team performance.
Reports
Analytics
Business Growth
Profitability
Digital Transformation for Electricians: More Than Just Software
The TradeCraft Team • July 22, 2024
Adopting modern software is not just about efficiency; for electricians, it's about enhancing safety, ensuring compliance, and exceeding modern customer expectations. Learn how technology is reshaping the trade.
Electricians
Technology
Safety
Business Management
The Power of a Product & Service Catalog for Tradespeople
Jane Smith • July 15, 2024
Stop typing the same service descriptions and looking up prices over and over. A well-maintained product and service catalog is a simple feature that has a massive impact on your daily efficiency.
Catalog
Invoicing
Estimates
Efficiency
Why Your Service Business is Losing Money on Un-tracked Equipment
John Doe • July 8, 2024
Your tools and vehicles are some of your most valuable assets. If you're not tracking them, you're likely losing money to theft, misuse, and unexpected downtime. Here's how to fix it.
Equipment
Asset Management
Profitability
Operations
From Invoice to Paid: Speeding Up Your Payment Cycle
The TradeCraft Team • July 1, 2024
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any service business. If you're waiting 30, 60, or even 90 days to get paid, you're putting your business at risk. Here’s how to shorten that cycle.
Invoicing
Payments
Cash Flow
Stripe
How to Create Professional Estimates That Win More Jobs
Jane Smith • June 24, 2024
Your estimate is often the first impression a customer has of your professionalism. Learn how to create detailed, transparent quotes that build trust and increase your win rate.
Estimates
Sales
Quoting
Customer Service
The Ultimate Guide to Job Scheduling for Plumbers
John Doe • June 17, 2024
From emergency call-outs to large installations, plumbing scheduling is a complex puzzle. Discover how modern software can help you optimize routes, manage your team, and keep customers happy.
Plumbing
Scheduling
Efficiency
Dispatch
Top 5 Reasons Your HVAC Business Needs a CRM in 2024
The TradeCraft Team • June 10, 2024
A strong customer relationship is the bedrock of a successful HVAC business. Learn why a dedicated CRM is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for growth, retention, and efficiency.
HVAC
CRM
Customer Service
Business Growth
A Complete Guide to Getting Started with TradeCraft
The TradeCraft Team • June 5, 2024
A comprehensive walkthrough of setting up your TradeCraft account, from initial configuration to managing your first job and beyond. Learn best practices to get the most out of the platform.
Guide
Onboarding
Best Practices
Workflow
How Payments Work on TradeCraft: A Guide for Business Owners
The TradeCraft Team • May 28, 2024
A clear explanation of how TradeCraft handles subscription payments and customer invoice payments securely using Stripe Connect, including how we manage platform fees.
Payments
Stripe Connect
Technical
Introducing TradeCraft: The All-in-One Platform to Power Your Service Business
The TradeCraft Team • May 24, 2024
A deep dive into every feature TradeCraft offers, from job scheduling and dispatching to invoicing, reporting, and equipment management. See how our platform can revolutionize your workflow.
Features
Product Update
Business Management
5 Ways Mobile Field Service Management Boosts Efficiency
Jane Smith • May 17, 2024
Discover how empowering your technicians with mobile tools can drastically reduce paperwork, improve communication, and lead to faster job completion and billing cycles.
Efficiency
Mobile
Field Service
Getting Started with TradeCraft: A Guide for Service Businesses
John Doe • May 10, 2024
Learn how to set up your company on TradeCraft and streamline your operations from day one. We cover the basics of adding customers, creating your first job, and sending invoices.
Getting Started
Setup
Jobs