Service Calls You'll See More of in 2026

January isn't just a fresh start - it's a preview of the year to come for those in the service trade industry.  As homes age, and technologies change, customer expectations continue to rise.  More and more service calls that were once outliers are becoming more common.

Aging infrastructure continues to drive emergency repairs.  Older plumbing, outdated electrical panels, and legacy HVAC systems are reaching end of life.  Extremes in weather don't help matters, pushing these systems past their limits and leading to failures requiring immediate attention.  These calls are stressful for homeowners and time-sensitive for service providers.  Maintaining a healthy (and accurate) inventory of replacement parts and newer models for upgrades helps reduce the stress on both you and your clients.  These calls often happen in bursts in line with the weather, so having a few extra items on hand will help you come out the hero in these situations.

Smart Home and Energy Upgrades are now more mainstream.  Homeowners are calling for smart thermostats, electrical capacity upgrades, generators, and energy-efficient systems, items once considered luxuries but now considered a practical investment in the face of rising utility costs.

Cold weather emergencies are a seasonal constant.  Frozen pipes, no heat calls, and electrical issues spike quickly, and customers expect a rapid response. 

Indoor air quality concerns also continue to grow, leading more informed customers to ask for improved filtration, humidity control, and air purification. 

Finally, EV chargers and panel upgrades are creating steady demand for electrical contractors as EV infrastructure plans are pushed forward.  Businesses that prepare for these call types - operationally and from a communication standpoint - will be best prepared to win jobs consistently throughout the year.

Getting an organized inventory, reliable dispatching, and efficient communications are key to all of the above.  If you don't have these systems in place, it can be a daunting task.  This is where Finger Lakes Work Place can help.  We work with trade businesses to make sure calls are answered, requests are fulfilled, and customers are happy. 

Want to get started?  Give me a call at 607-385-0416, email me at aaron@flworkplace.com or grab a spot on my calendar!

Cheers!

Aaron