Whether it’s general repairs, odd jobs, fix-ups, or any number of other tasks on a homeowners to-do list, there’s a lot you can do. But sometimes there are too many things to do and a handyman could use, well, a hand.
Say hello to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI can help keep a wide range of business-related tasks from becoming a bigger project than you planned for.
According to a Simply Business report on solopreneurs, only 23% of the owners surveyed are using AI tools in their businesses. This guide will introduce you to some well-known AI tools and show you how they can save you time, allow you to do more, and help grow your handyman business.
Using AI for Automated Customer Service and Scheduling
Tools to consider:
Copilot.Live,1 FieldCamp,2 Convin AI3
When people need a handyman, they usually need one right away. And sometimes your phone is constantly ringing and your email is brimming with new messages. If you ever wished you could have a handyman to handle all those requests, AI can help.
Tools like Copilot.Live can power a chatbot on your website that answers common questions, provides instant quotes, and even books appointments for you, all without you lifting a finger. This means you won’t miss a lead while you’re on a job, under a sink, or just trying to enjoy some time off.
Scheduling and logistics.
AI-driven software, like FieldCamp, can streamline your operations by automating job scheduling. You can use these programs to optimize routes, prevent double-bookings, and send automated reminders to clients, which reduces no-shows and wasted travel time.
Enhanced customer service.
For larger businesses, AI platforms like Convin AI can take business management a step further. They can analyze customer conversations to improve service quality and team performance. Implementing these smart tools can save you valuable time, boost customer satisfaction, and allow you to focus on what you do best: fixing things.
Using AI for Quoting and Project Management
Tools to consider:
Quotes and estimates.
Quoting and project management can be a huge time sink for handymen, but AI tools can drastically simplify these tasks.
Instead of spending hours calculating materials, labor, and profit, AI-powered software like Handoff AI can generate detailed, accurate estimates in seconds. You just describe the project, and it uses real-time local pricing data to create a professional proposal you can send to clients right away. You will need to review the quote for accuracy, but this not only saves time but also reduces the risk of underbidding a job.
Managing it all.
For project management, tools like Workiz act as an all-in-one hub. They can help you manage jobs, schedule your time, track expenses, and send invoices all from a single platform. This eliminates the need for juggling multiple spreadsheets and apps, giving you a clear overview of your business.
Using AI for Handyman Marketing and Reputation Management
Tools to consider:
Running a successful handyman business isn’t just about being handy; it’s also about effective marketing and reputation management. AI tools can handle a lot of the heavy lifting.
Content creation.
You can use a tool like ChatGPT to become your handyman marketing assistant. Simply describe a service you offer, and it can generate engaging social media posts, compelling ad copy, or even helpful and business-generating blog posts you can review and share with existing and potential customers, such as “5 Common Home Repairs You Can’t Ignore.”
Online reviews.
Customer recommendations can be one of your most effective and powerful promotion tools. Since the majority of those come online, managing your online presence is important. You can use a tool ReviewBoost AI to automate this process by sending personalized review requests to your clients after a job is complete.
It also helps you manage your reviews across various platforms, so you can easily monitor what people are saying about your business and respond quickly.
Staying Hands On When Using AI
AI tools can be incredibly powerful for a handyman business, but they’re not a magic bullet. The biggest thing to watch out for is over-reliance. Don’t let a tool replace your expertise and personal touch. AI-generated quotes, for instance, are a great starting point, but they can’t account for every unexpected variable on a job site. Always review and adjust them based on your experience.
The human touch.
Another pitfall is the risk of sounding robotic. Customers hire you for your skills and your character. AI-written marketing copy can be a fantastic way to save time, but it needs your human review to ensure it sounds authentic and reflects your style. For instance, finding ways to include examples and insights from your experience can be a great way to add value and personalize your communications.
Data privacy.
Finally, be mindful of data and privacy. When using AI for things like customer service and scheduling, you’re handling sensitive client information. Be sure to choose reputable tools with clear privacy policies to protect your customers and your business. And it’s a good idea to stay informed about evolving AI ethics guidelines, legal developments, and practices, especially when it comes to protecting your customers’ data.
Be Clear About Using AI
Fostering trust with your audience is important for just about any business. That’s why we want you to know that we’re finding many ways to use AI at Simply Business. Here are a couple of ways we’re enhancing our our online quote tool:
A new way to describe your business: To help you find coverage faster, we’re using AI to better understand your business. Just explain what you do in your own words, and our trade selector tool will match your description to a business type on our list so we can better suggest coverage options for what you do.
Get answers by asking questions: We’re creating a new conversational experience to help you find information about insurance faster. You’ll be able to ask questions and get immediate answers drawn from our library of human-approved insights. This lets you find what you need fast, without all the reading.
The blog post you’re reading was actually created with a hybrid approach, blending the power of artificial intelligence with the expertise of our human editorial team.
AI was used as a starting point, helping us with initial research and building the outline. Our editorial team then took this information, crafting it into the final article you see today. This process allows us to create high-quality, well-researched content efficiently, while still maintaining our unique voice and perspective.
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