Bay Area regulators split over first-of-its-kind gas water heater ban
The rule, beginning in 2027, stands to affect about eight million residents
Plumbing
Plumbing wholesale prices didn’t budge in April
Compared to April 2025, the index is up 8.6 percent — and 31.9 percent over the past five years, since April 2021
Homeowners ‘selective’ about home service spending amid budget pressures: Survey
Rising costs are affecting homeowners’ spending on repairs and upgrades, a new Housecall Pro survey highlights
DOJ sues company behind thousands of fake home service businesses
“Since at least 2018,” Premium Home Service has “deceived well over 100,000 consumers,” according to a lawsuit
Residential market is “challenged,” says Ferguson CEO
Housing starts are weaker than last year, and PVC pipe, copper, and fuel costs are up, the company noted
Residential water heater shipments slide in March, Q1
Shipments of residential gas storage water heaters fell 2.9 percent year-over-year during the month, while electric water heater shipments declined by 5.7 percent
Trade court rules Trump’s 10% global tariffs illegal
The president told reporters that his administration would find “a different way” to impose tariffs, and the administration is expected to appeal the ruling
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
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