Plumbing
People in “physically demanding” occupations could get full benefits at age 60 instead of 67
Plumbing apprentice wins medal at “Olympics of skilled trades”
20-year-old Charles Goede just competed in the 2026 WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China
SBA lending to specialty trade contractors sinks this year
Approvals of the agency’s flagship 7(a) loans for specialty trade contractors fell 22 percent year over year in the first half of 2026
Bradford White employees enter fourth week of strike
The strike began after more than two months of failed negotiations between the water heater manufacturer and United Auto Workers Local 1002
Home service contractors are getting sued over their websites
Plaintiffs say cookies, chatbots, and tracking tools violate decades-old wiretapping and privacy laws
Economy
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September’s most popular stories
Layoffs, a looming sale, Google lawsuits, and more
Plumbing apprentice wins medal at “Olympics of skilled trades”
20-year-old Charles Goede just competed in the 2026 WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China
SBA lending to specialty trade contractors sinks this year
Approvals of the agency’s flagship 7(a) loans for specialty trade contractors fell 22 percent year over year in the first half of 2026
HVAC buying indicator falls in August
An indicator of HVAC purchasing intent is down nine percentage points from a year ago
AI concerns push Gen Z toward the trades: Report
Of 1,000 surveyed young adults aged 16-30, nearly half are learning or seriously considering a skilled trade
HVAC, plumbing employment growth to lap all-occupation average through 2035: BLS
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows 10-year employment projections for field workers in the HVAC and plumbing industries
Legal
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New bill would give blue-collar workers full Social Security benefits early
People in “physically demanding” occupations could get full benefits at age 60 instead of 67
Bradford White employees enter fourth week of strike
The strike began after more than two months of failed negotiations between the water heater manufacturer and United Auto Workers Local 1002
Home service contractors are getting sued over their websites
Plaintiffs say cookies, chatbots, and tracking tools violate decades-old wiretapping and privacy laws
New California law will have utilities fund home electrification
The bill would require utilities to offer residential customers a voluntary monetary incentive to electrify their homes when their gas service lines are scheduled for replacement
PVC price-fixing case eclipses $415 million in settlements
The settlements are part of an ongoing slate of class-action lawsuits alleging that PVC pipe manufacturers have fixed prices
See where contractor associations are directing campaign funds ahead of the midterms
With November’s elections approaching, public filings show which candidates ACCA and PHCC are backing — and how much they’ve given each
M&A
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Roto-Rooter buys its largest franchise for $60 million
The deal marks the company’s sixth franchise acquisition of this year
Watsco buys $500 million Northeast distributor with 82 locations
The deal marks the latest step in its buy-and-build strategy
Flint Group launches sale process
The residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform has tapped William Blair to run the process
SharkBite parent enters exclusive acquisition talks after $2.9 billion bid
The offer from Brookfield, also the parent company of Service Experts, follows three bids from earlier this year
May’s most popular stories
Some big-money action, an EPA rule change, and ChatGPT's local business ads
Apex Service Partners to receive minority investment at $10 billion valuation
Founded in 2019 with backing from California-based Alpine Investors, Apex is the largest private equity-backed residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform in the U.S.
Management
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Meet the Contractor: Mike Townsend, Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
A look inside his ultra-lean, AI-driven operation
UA leaders laud growth, shrug off tariffs at major convention
The United Association’s General Convention happens once every five years
Rinnai launches loyalty program for installers
Any tech can participate, whether or not their employer has a professional affiliation with Rinnai
Roto-Rooter residential revenue edges up — but lead costs bite
The company’s adjusted EBITDA margin declined slightly in the second quarter, driven by “increased internet marketing costs”
Meet the Contractor: Amber DeLong, DeLong & Sons HVAC
"When I grew up, my dad ran a local dealership, and I worked there for years. I think that background really prepared me as a business owner in this world"
How AllTech Services runs its 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel
In conversation with owner Abe Zarou about the company’s YouTube strategy, day-to-day operations, and more
Technology
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Rheem expands hydronics portfolio
The move scales up the company’s existing FT Series Boiler platform
Bradford White rolls out new tankless water heaters
The announcement expands the company’s array of residential tankless water heaters from four to six
Google to charge for some missed LSA calls
The change to the company’s Local Services Ads policy is set to take effect in October, according to an email
Yelp’s ChatGPT deal turns attention to how it displays reviews
With ChatGPT poised to lean more on Yelp as a source, a contractor’s Yelp presence could carry more weight than before
ServiceTitan scrapped its Podium partnership. Each company frames it differently.
The move affects nearly 1,000 contractors using the companies’ integration. They have roughly a month to make a change
Apple shuts home service contractors out of upcoming Maps ads
The decision “sets Apple apart from Google, where Local Services Ads are one of the company’s largest local advertising categories”