The field service business blog
Pricing jobs, scheduling crews, and getting paid. Written by the person who builds Pillar, not by an agency.
Latest article
Do You Need Field Service Software If It’s Just You?
Not every one-person operation needs software, and the honest answer starts there. Here are the signs pen and paper is costing you real money, what a solo operator actually needs, and the per-user pricing math to run before you sign up for anything.
Browse by topic
Five topics, each with its own page. Filed by the part of the business the article helps with.
Growth
4 articlesWinning more work and keeping the ones you have.
Operations
5 articlesRunning the week without dropping anything.
Industry Insights
1 articleWhat the numbers look like across the trades.
Technology
2 articlesPhones, apps, and what they change on a job site.
Business Strategy
5 articlesThe bigger calls: pricing models and where you are headed.
Growth
All Growth articles- Do You Need Field Service Software If It’s Just You?An honest answer for solo operators: when pen and paper still works, the signs it is failing, and what field service software should cost one person.9 min read
- How to Get More Online Reviews for Your Trade BusinessOnline reviews decide who homeowners call. Here is a simple system to ask every customer at the right moment and turn good work into reviews.9 min read
- How to Build Recurring Revenue With Service AgreementsService agreements turn one-time jobs into predictable monthly revenue. Learn how to price, sell, and automate maintenance contracts for your trade business.11 min read
- 5 Signs Your Field Service Business Has Outgrown SpreadsheetsScheduling conflicts, delayed invoices, and lost recurring work are common symptoms. Here are 5 concrete signs it is time to move beyond spreadsheets.6 min read
Operations
All Operations articles- How to Manage Subcontractors in the TradesA step-by-step guide to managing subcontractors in field service: vet and onboard, assign work clearly, track insurance compliance, and confirm every job.11 min read
- Contractor Invoice Template: A Complete Example You Can CopyA complete contractor invoice template you can copy, plus what each field is for, how to number invoices, and the payment terms that get you paid on time.10 min read
- Free Service Agreement Template for Field Service BusinessesA complete service agreement template you can copy free, plus a clause-by-clause walkthrough and versions for HVAC, lawn care, pool, cleaning, and pest control.11 min read
- How to Write Estimates That Win More JobsWin more work without dropping your price. How to write clear estimates, offer Good/Better/Best options, and close on the spot with e-signatures.10 min read
- How Multi-Visit Job Tracking Reduces Scheduling ErrorsWhen multi-visit jobs are tracked as separate work orders, context gets lost and scheduling errors follow. Learn how connected appointment tracking keeps your team aligned.5 min read
Industry Insights
All Industry Insights articlesTechnology
All Technology articles- Going Paperless: Digital Work Orders for Field ServicePaper work orders get lost and forgotten. Learn how digital work orders, checklists, photos, and e-signatures put every job on the record and off paper.10 min read
- Why Your Technicians Need Mobile-First ToolsField technicians work from trucks, crawl spaces, and rooftops — not desks. Desktop-first software creates friction where it matters most. Here is what mobile-first actually means.5 min read
Business Strategy
All Business Strategy articles- How to Price Handyman Jobs: A Step-by-Step MethodHow to price handyman jobs with a real method: your true hourly cost, a materials markup, minimum job charges, and worked examples you can rebuild.10 min read
- How to Price Plumbing Jobs: A Step-by-Step MethodHow to price plumbing jobs without guessing: build from your true hourly cost, a materials markup, a service call fee, and a real profit margin on top.10 min read
- How to Choose Field Service Software: A Buyer’s GuideHow to choose field service software: list your daily workflows, spot per-user pricing traps, test it on a real week, and plan the data migration before you sign.10 min read
- How to Get Paid Faster in Field ServiceLate invoices choke cash flow. Learn how to get paid faster in field service: invoice on the spot, take online payments, and automate overdue reminders.10 min read
- Flat-Rate vs. Time-and-Materials: Choosing the Right Pricing ModelCompare flat-rate and time-and-materials pricing for field service businesses. Learn which model fits your trade, when to use each, and how to run both.8 min read
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