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
Plumbing
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
Senate bills aim to speed apprenticeship approvals, track outcomes
The moves follow the Trump administration’s efforts to champion apprenticeships
Contractors descend on Capitol Hill
Members of PHCC, as well as the American Supply Association, are meeting with legislators on May 5 and 6 about efforts regarding the skilled trades
A.O. Smith raising prices amid higher input costs, execs say
"In response to rising steel, freight and other input cost inflation, we have announced price increases for most of our water heater and boiler products," said CEO Stephen Shafer
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
April’s most popular stories
The five stories that got people clickin’ the most
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
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