Plumbing
The company’s adjusted EBITDA margin declined slightly in the second quarter, driven by “increased internet marketing costs”
Lowe’s skilled trades investment tops $60 million
The Lowe’s Foundation on Monday announced nearly $8 million in grants to 10 community and technical colleges across the U.S.
New bill would cement DOE appliance standard overhaul
Utah Senator Mike Lee has introduced a bill that would overhaul how the Department of Energy sets energy efficiency standards for home appliances, including ACs and water heaters
Ferguson residential plumbing sales stay flat as broader business grows
"New residential construction activity has been weak, and repair, maintenance and improvement (‘RMI’) work remains soft," the company said Monday
Bay Area proposes delaying first-of-its-kind gas water heater ban
“We heard from homeowners that the cost and logistics of switching to cleaner appliances can be real barriers, and we have responded by proposing common sense solutions,” said Philip Fine, executive officer of the Bay Area Air District
Economy
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Ferguson residential plumbing sales stay flat as broader business grows
"New residential construction activity has been weak, and repair, maintenance and improvement (‘RMI’) work remains soft," the company said Monday
Lowe’s skilled trades investment tops $60 million
The Lowe’s Foundation on Monday announced nearly $8 million in grants to 10 community and technical colleges across the U.S.
BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford, Google launch skilled trades alliance
“No single company or industry can prepare a country for this opportunity on its own,” executives from the four companies wrote Tuesday
Residential water heater shipments slide through May as gas hits lowest five-month total since 2012
From Jan. to May, roughly 1.79 million gas water heaters were shipped, down 5.4 percent year-over-year, marking the lowest cumulative total since 2012
Defense Department launches skilled trades push with $10 million check
The effort adds to a growing list of skilled trades investments from both Washington and the business community this year
U.S. trade school revenue climbs to $19.1 billion
A quiet winner has emerged amid America’s skilled trades boom
Legal
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New bill would cement DOE appliance standard overhaul
Utah Senator Mike Lee has introduced a bill that would overhaul how the Department of Energy sets energy efficiency standards for home appliances, including ACs and water heaters
Senators urge DOE to withdraw proposed appliance standards rule
The proposal would update the agency’s “Process Rule” used to establish energy conservation standards for household appliances and equipment, including air conditioners and water heaters
Bay Area proposes delaying first-of-its-kind gas water heater ban
“We heard from homeowners that the cost and logistics of switching to cleaner appliances can be real barriers, and we have responded by proposing common sense solutions,” said Philip Fine, executive officer of the Bay Area Air District
Industry groups urge Congress to bury small-biz reporting rule
Dozens of trade groups have sent a letter to Congress, urging leaders to ensure that a currently shelved small business reporting requirement does not return
Federal grant program covering skilled trades training goes live
The Workforce Pell Grant program, established under President Trump’s big, beautiful bill in July 2025, allows students to leverage Pell Grants for shorter-term vocational programs
June’s most popular stories
A federal rebate change, $300,000 contractor settlement, 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel, and more
M&A
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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.
USA Hometown Experts exploring sale, reports say
While the reported process is in the early stages, it follows a string of private equity-backed platform activity this year
Redwood Services buys five-contractor group for $220 million
The deal marks just the second platform-buys-platform transaction among today’s residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platforms
Roto-Rooter snaps up two franchises for $20.6 million
The Roto-Rooter corporate entity has been acquiring franchises to “boost productivity, market share, and profitability”
American Residential Services exploring sale, report says
The process, which is being run by investment bank Rothschild & Co, is at an “early stage,” according to Reuters
Management
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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
PHCC’s next CEO on his game plan
In conversation with Dan Quinonez, who will step into the chief executive role on November 1
Meet the Contractor: Brandon Anderson, Morris-Jenkins
"Our former owner, Mr. Jenkins, built the company around taking care of people"
Google channels diverged on paying customers, average ticket in Q1: Analysis
Google’s primary lead generation channels, from Business Profiles to Local Services Ads, in the first quarter of this year told different stories, according to one analysis
Technology
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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”
ChatGPT ads to go performance-based
Advertisers would reportedly pay only when certain actions are taken, including appointment bookings
Avoca co-founders on a $1 billion valuation, tomorrow’s CSRs, and AI’s trust dilemma
In late April, the home services-focused AI company announced that it has raised over $125 million in funding since its 2022 inception, most recently clinching a $1 billion valuation
ChatGPT ads now open to local service businesses
Through a new self-serve Ads Manager, businesses can create and manage their own ad campaigns on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis
Microsoft, trade unions expand AI literacy push
The partners last week announced a slate of free AI literacy courses for the skilled trades, available on LinkedIn Learning
Report details heat pump water heater market’s mixed year
5 new residential manufacturers brought heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) to market in 2025, it notes, and the industry saw notable technological advancements