What AI Really Means for Home Services (and Why It Matters Right Now)

AI isn’t just another buzzword – it’s a real shift in how work gets done. In home services, it’s reshaping everything from scheduling and marketing to day-to-day operations. Maybe you’ve tinkered with AI tools, or maybe you’ve only heard the hype and shrugged it off. Either way, ignoring AI is a risky bet in an industry that’s already accelerating at breakneck speed.

At its heart, AI can make your business more efficient and more profitable. But it’s easy to get caught up in the latest tech trends without a clear plan. Some businesses wind up with multiple systems that don’t quite fit together and never see the true benefits AI can offer. Others hold off in search of the “perfect solution,” missing out on the head start gained by competitors who are already using AI to optimize dispatch, elevate marketing, and refine operations.

If you’ve tried AI and felt underwhelmed, you’re not alone. But AI isn’t going away; it’s transforming how work gets done across home services.

Why It Can Feel Hard to Get AI Right

Resistance to AI is common: teams worry it’ll replace their jobs or complicate workflows. Another big pitfall is jumping in with no clear plan or goal—leading to flashy tools that don’t actually fix anything. Without a solid understanding of why you’re using AI, it’s easy to miss out on the real benefits it can bring.

Ted Fox from Fox & Sons learned this firsthand. After some trial and error, he hit pause on random AI initiatives and started focusing on what really mattered to his business—and to his team. That’s when things changed.

“This approach has not only game-changed the value we are gaining from AI, but also all of our technology and innovation initiatives.”

The lesson? When AI is woven into a well-thought-out strategy, it shifts from trendy gadget to serious game-changer.

Why AI Matters Right Now

We’re living in a time when AI isn’t a futuristic add-on but a present-day must-have. Companies already leveraging AI are outpacing competitors by boosting efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and reining in costs. Home service businesses, in particular, are finding new ways to optimize dispatch, scheduling, and even marketing, slashing wasted time, lowering expenses, and driving more revenue.

Imagine AI routing technicians to the next job with pinpoint accuracy, analyzing call data to highlight missed leads, and automating marketing touches so your brand is always front-of-mind. This isn’t sci-fi. It’s the reality for businesses that embrace the next evolution of work today.

How to Bring AI Into Your Business (Without the Headaches)

• Zero In on Your Biggest Problems
  AI isn’t a magic wand for everything. Before you dive in, ask yourself, *“What problem are you trying to solve?”* That question directs you to the areas where you’re really leaking time or money—whether it’s chaotic scheduling, underperforming call conversions, or marketing that’s missing the mark. By focusing AI on these trouble spots first, you’ll see clear, measurable gains and ensure your investment really pays off.
• Invite Your Team to the Table

  People fear what they don’t understand, so make it a conversation rather than a directive. Ask your technicians and CSRs for the problems they’d like AI to solve and default to an opt-in approach, rather than “volun-telling” them to use new tools. Show them how AI can simplify mundane tasks, not replace their expertise. When the team sees AI as a supportive co-pilot, you’ll encounter far fewer bumps on the road to adoption.

• Start Small, Prove the Concept, Then Scale

  AI doesn’t need to be a massive overhaul. Pick a single AI use-case – like scheduling or call-handling – and run a quick experiment. Use our 3P framework to guide your decisions: punt if the test doesn’t address your biggest need, pivot if you see partial success and need to adjust, or persevere if the results are strong and you’re ready to expand. This way, every step is based on real-world data, not guesswork—and you’ll know exactly when to scale up.

Nexstar Members Leading the Way

Many Nexstar members have already proven that thoughtful AI use delivers serious results. Take Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical, for example. Like many businesses, they were open to AI but found themselves caught in “technology fatigue”—testing out multiple AI tools with no clear direction or structure. The result? Inconsistent implementation, frustrated employees, and little to show for their efforts.

That changed when they took a more deliberate approach: starting small, focusing on key outcomes, and following a structured framework. Instead of chasing every new AI tool, they built a clear strategy for adoption. Derrick Dickey, Director of Technology and Data at Golden Rule, described the transformation:

“I think we were all very eyes open and we’re not scared or afraid of what AI could do, but we didn’t really have a framework or a structure… The program really guided us through that, and it feels like, now after completing it, we’re in the place of, ‘Okay, it’s time to operationalize everything we’ve learned.’ The path to get there is more clear than it’s ever been.”

By following a structured plan, Golden Rule was able to move past decision fatigue, engage their employees, and make AI work for their business—rather than against it.

When AI is backed by strategy and team buy-in, it’s not just another expense: it’s the engine powering your next phase of growth.

The Time for AI Is Now

AI isn’t a distant notion, it’s actively shaping the home service landscape. Businesses that embrace AI with purpose and clarity will streamline operations, delight customers, and strengthen their bottom line. Those that hesitate will watch from the sidelines as competitors surge ahead.

If you’re ready to see what AI can do for your business, we’ve got you covered. Nexstar members are already blazing the trail—want to learn how? Visit www.nowofwork.com/nexstar for real-world examples and a roadmap to make AI work for you in the now of work. The future is NoW. Are you ready?