Winter months are often slow months for lawn care business owners. When your customer’s gardens and lawns are covered with snow, your lawn care jobs also tend to dry up. However, this doesn’t mean you should close up shop when the snow starts to fall.

So what do landscapers do with all the business challenges in the winter? Read on to find out how your landscaping company can still make a profit, even in cold months!

What you’ll learn in this article

Here’s a quick overview of the things you’ll learn in this post. 

Winter months for professional landscapers

Most landscaping work is done in the summer months. Because people are less likely to keep a well-maintained lawn in winter, you’ll likely get fewer jobs. However, it doesn’t mean you can sit on your hands while waiting for the snow to thaw. 

One of the most important things to do as lawn care business owners in winter is to check up on your landscaping equipment. You can also find new landscaping-adjacent activities so you can still get money in these slow months.

Preparing lawns for winter

No matter the month, many people want their lawns to look the best. To ensure your customer’s lawns are in peak condition when spring rolls around, you can offer comprehensive winter lawn prep packages. This work includes inspecting the health of trees and shrubs, removing dead plants, and applying plant food so their soil doesn’t dehydrate. 

Offering landscaping services in the winter season

In the winter months, you can’t exclusively rely on landscaping and yard work. You may need to branch out into other adjacent services like gutter cleaning and snow removal to keep jobs coming in during the dreaded winter months.

Profitable winter jobs for landscapers

Confused what kind of work you should offer in the winter? Here are some examples of winter services you can offer to keep your lawn care business busy in the cold months.

Snow removal

Plowing snow is one of the go-to winter jobs for landscapers. If you operate in especially snowy areas and have a snow blower or detachable plow, you can get a lot of orders to move snow from streets or people’s driveways. 

However, this isn’t the most dependable winter job since your orders will heavily depend on recent snowfall — and not all landscapers have a snow plow or operate in snowy areas. If this is your first time taking snow removal contracts, read our guide on how to price your services.

Winterization of plants and shrubs

Plants go dormant in winter weather, but that doesn’t mean you can just leave them be. As a landscaper, you can offer winterization services for extra money, which protects plants against the cold weather to improve the quality of their rest. With proper winter protection, these plants will come back from dormancy in the best health. 

Christmas light display installation

If you’ve got a good eye for design, Christmas decorating can be a profitable late winter business idea. Strike up a deal with a commercial wholesaler and find yourself Christmas trees in need of holiday lights. If your Christmas trees become the talk of the town, you’ll build up a client base ready to order Christmas trees come next holiday season. 

Indoor landscaping services

Not all landscaping work is done outdoors. Many public buildings like hotels and shopping centers have indoor gardens or other landscaping features that still need maintenance. To make up for the lack of outdoor landscaping jobs, you can temporarily pivot to indoor landscaping jobs during winter.

Lawn mowing

If you live in warmer states, grass can still grow normally in winter. This means you can still get a bit of money from lawn mowing services. However, since residential clients are less inclined to book landscaping services in the winter months, you can follow our guide on lawn mowing pricing to adjust to the decreased demand. 

Planning for the next year

The slow winter months are the perfect time for you to reflect and prepare for upcoming seasons. There are two important things to do during winter to ensure the coming year goes smoothly:

• Review your inventory and consider whether you need additional equipment for the coming year. 
• Evaluate your team’s performance and hire new people or schedule extra training if needed. Check out our guide on increasing productivity to further improve your lawn care business.

What do landscapers do in the winter? — Frequently asked questions

Figuring out what to do in winter is always a challenge for landscapers. Find the answers to some popular questions about going through winter as a landscaper in this section!

• How do landscapers make money in the off-season? 
• Is landscaping a seasonal job?
• Is winter a good time to landscape?
• How much do landscapers make in winter?

How do landscapers make money in the off-season?

With the usual landscaping jobs like lawn care and garden maintenance drying up during the winter months, you need to get creative to still make money in the off-season. Depending on where you are and what skills you have, you can do things like removing snow, performing indoor landscaping services, or even decorating Christmas trees!

Is landscaping a seasonal job?

By nature, landscaping is a seasonal business. Landscapers often see high demand from spring to fall, while they might see reduced demand in the winter months. 

Is winter a good time to landscape?

While winter is often regarded as the off-season for many landscapers, there are still some landscaping jobs to be done. Some lawn care customers actually prefer to start landscaping work in winter because most lawn care companies tend to offer discounts due to reduced demand. 

How much do landscapers make in winter?

How much landscapers make in winter depends on what alternative jobs they take. If you simply stick to the services offered in warm months, you’ll likely make much less. However, if you diversify and take on other jobs like snow removal, you’ll still turn a profit in these lean months.

Closing thoughts on what landscapers do in the winter

While the demand for landscaping services tends to drop in winter, this doesn’t mean you can sit on your hands until spring. There are many alternative jobs you can take on, from indoor landscaping to Christmas tree decorating. With some creativity and grit, you can ensure your landscaping company still profits in the winter!

Start managing your winter season with a free trial of Method:Field Services!

Image credit: Nathan Anderson via Unsplash

Paying attention to statistics lets you capitalize on trends before your competition does. However, compiling the relevant statistics takes a lot of time that is better used to improve your lawn care business. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Find out the need-to-know lawn care industry stats in his article!

What’s in this article?

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll learn in this blog.

Understanding the lawn care industry

Lawn care is part of the larger landscaping industry that encompasses a wide range of services like tree care, snow removal, and greenhouse maintenance. Lawn care activities include designing and maintaining outdoor spaces like parks and gardens.

You can find lawn care professionals just about anywhere including parks, golf courses, and even cemeteries. If there is greenery to be taken care of, then you’ll find lawn care businesses on it. 

Lawn care industry professionals span a wide range of occupations. Some job positions found in the lawn care industry include:

• Landscape architects and designers.
• Landscape maintenance technicians.
• Arborists and botanists.
• Groundskeeping workers.
• Heavy equipment operators.

How large is the market for lawn care businesses?

IBIS World Landscaping Services Industry Report shows that in 2021 the landscaping industry is worth $105.1 billion. Lawn care businesses make up the third-largest industry behind cleaning and freight. Measured by market size, landscaping services ranked 106th largest in the United States.

Lawn care industry growth

Almost all construction projects need landscaped outdoor areas, whether it’s residential buildings or commercial properties. As the number of construction projects continues to increase, so does the demand for landscaping services. 

The landscape maintenance industry saw consistent growth in the past five years, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1% between 2016 and 2021. The landscaping market is also the fastest-growing industry in its sector. 

While the landscape industry is enjoying consistent annual growth, there are low barriers to entry which lead to high competition. If you’re looking to get ahead of your competitors, we have some tips on how to grow your business. 

Essential landscaping industry statistics

Paying attention to lawn care industry stats lets you identify key market trends before the competition. In other words, you’re more likely to find new ways to improve your business if you focus in on these trends.

Here are some current landscaping industry statistics that you should keep in mind:

• The lawn care industry generated an estimated total revenue of 99 billion dollars in 2019. On average, each household spends $503 on lawn care and gardening.
• The top 50 lawn care maintenance companies generate an estimated 15% of the entire industry’s revenue.
• Landscaping for commercial properties is responsible for about 50% of the entire industry’s revenue.
• The lawn care industry employs over one million people across over 600,000 companies.  
• 67% of adults are growing or plan to grow edible plants at home.
• The rebounding economy and the rise of nonresidential construction are likely to increase demand for landscaping services.
• The average landscaping company has two employees, and overall employment in the landscape industry is projected to grow 10% between 2019 and 2029.
• Households in North America increased their spending on lawn care from $317 in 2014 to $503 in 2017.  
• The landscaping industry has low market share concentration — meaning that no landscaping company owns more than 5% market share.
• Globally, the demand for power lawn equipment and garden supplies is projected to reach $24.2 billion in 2021.   

Frequently asked questions about the lawn care industry

So how do these statistics affect your company? Find the answers to some common lawn care industry stats in this section. 

• Is the lawn care industry growing?
• What is the demand for lawn care and maintenance services?
• What industry does lawn care fall under?
• How many lawn care businesses are there in the US?
• How many people need lawn care services?

Is the lawn care industry growing?

The lawn care industry is enjoying a period of consistent growth. From 2016 to 2021, the industry has grown 5.1% per year on average. In 2021, the industry was expected to grow by 5.3%, higher than the country’s overall economic growth. 

What is the demand for lawn care and maintenance services?

The demand for lawn care is increasing, as evidenced by the rise in average spending per household for landscaping activities. In addition to the rise of residential and commercial constructions, many health-conscious millennials are planning to go into vegetable gardening, further driving up the sales of lawn care services.

However, the concentration of lawn care professionals isn’t equal across the entire nation. Only 29% of all landscaping companies operate in the western half of the United States. 

The low number of lawn care companies operating there leads to higher median revenue, with many Californian landscaping companies entering the top 100 most successful landscapers in 2019. 

What industry does lawn care fall under?

Lawn care falls under the landscaping industry because it’s concerned with providing landscape development and maintenance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscaping and lawn care is classified within the Administration, Business Support, and Waste Management Services sector.

How many lawn care businesses are there in the US?

There are over 600,000 landscaping businesses in North America. The low barrier of entry makes it easier to enter the lawn care industry compared to other trades. However, the ease of entry leads to more landscaping companies in operation — which means more competition. 

The number of active landscape companies means the market share concentration is low, with no companies owning over 5% of the market. This means there are no “giant” landscaping companies, creating a level playing field for everyone. 

If you’re looking to thrive in this industry, you can follow Method’s tips on how to market your lawn care business. Business owners can also get ahead in this competitive landscape by offering the best prices. To figure out how to price your landscaping services, check out these tips on calculating your lawn mowing price. 

How many people need lawn care services?

2017 research data from the National Association of Landscape Professionals show that 40% of Americans hire lawn care professionals. Since lawns are often the first impression a guest gets when visiting someone’s home, having a well-maintained lawn shows that you care about your home. Moreover, perfectly-manicured lawns tend to bump up the home’s resale value.

Closing thoughts on lawn care industry stats

Landscaping is a competitive industry, however, that shouldn’t deter you from entering it. If you know the most recent lawn care industry stats and the best ways to market your lawn care business, you’ll get ahead of the competition and build a successful landscaping company!

Now that you know all the stats, get started with the best CRM for landscaping and lawncare professionals here!

Image credit: Pixabay via Pexels

Winning commercial lawn care contracts usually means you’ll get a lot of money. However, bidding for these contracts can be a challenge. Bid too much, you’ll lose out on the job. Bid too low, you’ll lose money. Read on to find the best ways to win commercial lawn care contracts.

What you’ll learn in this guide

Before jumping into the guide, here’s a quick overview of what you’ll learn in this article.

Getting commercial lawn accounts and landscaping contracts

Getting commercial lawn care contracts is challenging. You can’t just go door to door and expect to land contracts like with residential clients. Do these three things to boost your odds of landing a commercial landscaping contract:

Use your connections

If you’re already running a residential lawn service company, you can ask around. Talk to your residential customers and see if they have friends or family who need commercial lawn services. 

Find locally-owned businesses

Try driving around your area to see if any businesses need landscaping services. If you can, look for smaller local businesses since most of the time you’ll be dealing directly with the owner.

Personalize your marketing

If you’re looking for clients from a certain industry like restaurants or shopping malls, you need to customize your approach. Find information on all of these potential customers in your area and create personalized pamphlets before visiting those businesses. This shows that you’re prepared to tackle whatever problem they have.

Preparing for commercial lawn care contracts

Despite being in the same industry, commercial and residential lawn services are two very different things. Therefore, you need to plan your approach differently when it comes to the commercial lawn care game. Here are four ways you can prepare before seeking a commercial lawn services contract:

• Obtain the relevant licenses and certifications since property managers are less likely to trust landscapers with few qualifications to their name. 
• Get ready for intense competition. Rival companies may offer significantly lower lawn care bids and take contracts from under your company. We have a great guide on how to price your commercial lawn care bid.
• Find what sets you apart from the competition so you have a leg up during the bidding process. 

How professionals win commercial lawn maintenance contracts

In commercial landscaping, it’s not enough to be professional. You and your team need to look the part to convince property managers that you can handle the job. Most clients examine three things to determine whether you look professional enough:

Uniforms

The corporate world places a lot of emphasis on looks. A good uniform choice to make your landscapers look professional and trustworthy is a polo shirt. They look professional and tend to be more durable so they last longer. For extra branding, you can also print company hats for your staff to wear on the field.

Vehicles

Having an eye-catching truck branded with your company’s name has the double benefit of free advertising and showing that you’re well-established enough to dedicate an entire vehicle for work. Whether you choose to paint or wrap your trucks, be sure to choose an eye-catching design to attract the eyes of passing motorists. 

Online presence

Does your company have a professional-looking website and a good social media presence? A good website with a complete rundown of your services goes a long way in convincing potential clients. 

Getting your foot in the door: How to meet with the decision-maker

 If you’re just starting out in lawn service, it may be tough to network and find commercial clients. Fortunately, networking is much easier when you know where to look. Here are several places to look for potential contracts:

• Local businesses: Starting local is always a good idea — there’s a good chance the owner already knows your business and you won’t be stuck meeting a middleman.
• CEO forums and Chamber of Commerce meetings: If you live in an area with high commercial activity, you can meet with many business owners here.
• Cold visits: If all else fails, use your charm and start knocking on doors. 

Top tips to bid on your lawn care contract

Most companies are only focused on their bottom line. To make sure your prospects choose your company, use these strategies:

• Give them a say in the landscaping projects — collaborate with them to create the perfect yard or garden.
• Explain why letting inexperienced landscapers to work on their property is a horrible idea.
• Show them that you’re prepared by handing in a professional, well-written landscaping proposal. 

Frequently asked questions about commercial lawn care contracts

Still, have some questions? We’ve got you covered. Find out answers to some common questions about commercial lawn service here.

• How do I write a lawn care contract?
• Do you need a contract for commercial landscaping?

How do I write a lawn care contract?

Make sure your contract covers everything — including all your contact information, a list of services provided, and a detailed breakdown of your prices. Read our guide on lawn mowing pricing if you’re looking to price your services.   

Do you need a contract for commercial landscaping?

Commercial landscaping projects need to have a contract so you and the property manager know their responsibilities and rights. A contract also helps make potential disputes easier to mediate. 

Closing thoughts on how to win lawn care contracts

Getting commercial lawn care contracts is more challenging than residential landscaping projects. However, if you know where to look and how to make a bid, you’ll land the big-ticket landscaping contracts with ease! For more tips on how to run your lawn care business, check out our guide on lawn care management. 

Take your lawn care business to the next level with a free trial of Method:Field Services!

Image credit: Paul Moody via Unsplash

A contractor’s job is unpredictable. So when running a contracting business, it’s important to ensure that your contractors make it to the right jobs on time. That’s where contractor dispatching software comes in.

Contractor software empowers you to take control of your dispatching, scheduling, and other aspects of your daily operations. Dispatching is one of the trickiest aspects of a contracting business but with the right dispatch management tool, jobs literally dispatch themselves. 

Keep reading to: 

• Learn more about contractor dispatching software. 
• Discover the best solutions to simplify your dispatching. 

What is contractor dispatching software?

Contractor dispatching software simplifies the scheduling and assignment of incoming jobs. 

The best dispatching solution integrates with the tools you already use to create a system that unites your everyday processes. This results in several benefits for your business, including:

• Time savings for you and your team.
• Increased efficiency.
• Better customer service.
• Enhanced customer service.

When looking at contractor dispatch software, the main feature to look out for is the solution’s scheduling capabilities. 

What is a contractor scheduling app?

A contractor scheduling app is a way for you and your office team to stay connected to your contractors while they’re on the job. Use contractor scheduling apps to schedule your crew and assign them to incoming jobs anywhere.

When a significant part of your team spends most of their time out in the field, it’s difficult to ensure that all aspects of your business operate smoothly. This is why the best contractor dispatching software solutions include a mobile app. 

Connect your team with a mobile dispatch app

A mobile app opens your line of communication. As a result, you can quickly send your field technicians updates on the job to minimize roadblocks and delays.

What’s more is that a mobile app allows your crew to:

• Provide real-time updates on job progress.
• Upload photos and other documents.
• Capture customer e-signatures upon job completion.

Not yet convinced that contractor dispatching software is right for your business? Let’s take a look at the benefits of upgrading your dispatching system.

Benefits of contractor scheduling programs

There are several ways that using contractor dispatching software empowers your team to do more. To give you an idea, here are a few of them.

Improved collaboration

For your business to succeed, your team has to work together. And to best serve customers, everyone needs access to the same information.

However, members of your dispatch team probably don’t regularly check in with each other about job dispatching and field technician assignment. As a result, efficiency suffers, and new jobs get overlooked or assigned twice by mistake.

Contractor scheduling software encourages cooperation and improves communication by:

• Immediately notifying your team of upcoming jobs. 
• Offering weekly and monthly calendar views.
• Enabling sync with other tools to eliminate double data entry.

The result is that everyone has the most up-to-date information to do their job and keep your business moving.

Increased efficiency

It isn’t enough to get the job done. To maximize your team’s time, every task they do must be efficient. When it takes several steps to dispatch one job, it means less time for other revenue-generating activities.

Contractor dispatch software cuts down on the steps necessary to assign a job to your field technicians. As a result, you assign more jobs sooner, and your team becomes more productive.

More time to grow your business

Every plus of contractor dispatching software leads to the ultimate benefit: more time to grow your business.

Without the worry of admin work, you can contact your field team with a touch of a button and concentrate on more meaningful tasks, such as:

• New marketing strategies. 
• Following up with leads.
• Building relationships with your customers. 

Now that you know how dispatch software benefits your success, let’s discuss the features to look for when comparing contractor dispatch software options.

What to look for in a contractor dispatching software

Before choosing the best contractor dispatching software solution for your business, you need to know what to look for. 

Here are some points to consider during your quest for the best contractor software solution.

Contractor dispatch that caters to your needs

The right contractor dispatching software for your business depends on your needs. So the first place to start is by considering your pain points. 

Here are some examples of common issues small contracting businesses have:

• Slow dispatch of new jobs.
• Lack of communication.
• Difficulty organizing schedules.

In general, dispatch software solves these problems, but each solution has unique features that tackle these challenges differently. So it’s important to make sure that your solution of choice is compatible with your business.

Integrations with your everyday tools

The best contractor dispatch software connects your current tools to create a system that unifies your data and simplifies your workflows. 

Think about the tools you most commonly use in your day-to-day operations. This may include:

• Scheduling tools.
• Navigation.
• Payment gateways (Paypal, Stripe, etc.).

The right contractor dispatching software offers native integrations with your tech stack to avoid disrupting your workflow and data accuracy. 

Reasonable pricing

When it comes to tools that improve your bottom line, it’s about your return on investment vs. a perfect price. 

There are solutions that cost thousands of dollars but support a large number of users, as well as free solutions that are a great starting point for new businesses. 

Many companies offer a free trial, so you can test out the solution before committing. Your priority is to find a solution that enhances your business operations and brings you more revenue.

Now that you know what to look for in contractor dispatching software, it’s time to choose the best solution for your business.

8 best contractor scheduling apps

It’s time to apply everything you’ve learned about contractor dispatching software to choose the best solution for your business. 

To guide you, here are the top 8 contractor dispatch solutions to simplify your dispatching process and save you time.

1. Method:Field Services

For QuickBooks users, the best contractor dispatching software is Method:Field Services.

QuickBooks presents some challenges to contractors. For one, there is no way to create work orders within QuickBooks, which is inconvenient when your dispatching relies on work orders to keep moving.

You can overcome field service challenges in QuickBooks thanks to Method:Field Services’ two-way sync. Create work orders in Method:Field Services, and immediately sync them to QuickBooks for a smooth workflow.

But work orders are just the beginning. Method:Field Services has several other features to improve contractor dispatching. Key features include:

• Optimized routing for quicker commutes.
• Automated scheduling with different view options.
• A mobile app for real-time updates.
• The ability to convert work orders into invoices.

Start off with a free trial of Method:Field Services. Once your free trial ends, Method has three pricing options:

• Contact Management: $25 per user per month.
• CRM Pro: $44 per user per month.
• CRM Enterprise: $64 per user per month.

2. Buildxact

Next on our list is Buildxact.

Buildxact is estimating and construction scheduling software, making it perfect for contracting businesses.

Save time by building your schedule directly from your estimates, or use their templates to make custom schedules. You can also send automated reminders to your customers and crew to keep everyone up-to-date.

Buildxact’s other features include:

• A workforce management app.
• Color-coded statuses.
• QuickBooks and Xero integrations.

Buildxact offers a 14-day free trial and has three pricing options:

• Entry: $199 per user per month.
• Pro: $299 per month for 2 users.
• Teams: $399 per month for 4 users

3. CoConstruct

CoConstruct is a contractor dispatching software solution made with the construction industry in mind. 

This solution has strong job tracking capabilities and a mobile app in which your team can log their job progress. Your team members can easily “clock in/clock out” through the app, eliminating the need for spreadsheets.

For dispatching, CoConstruct’s iCal integration allows you to schedule your crew and set up alerts, so your contractors get to the right site on time. 

Other CoConstruct key features include:

• File and photo-sharing capabilities.
• Schedule templates.
• Real-time reporting

CoConstruct’s plans start at $99 per 5 users per month, and they offer custom plans with unlimited users.

4. Procore

Procore is an all-in-one construction management solution with dispatching features perfect for contractors.

Procore’s solution is made for:

• Business owners.
• General contractors.
• Specialty contractors.

Their scheduling capabilities include a unified view of job progress and the ability for field teams to log job details directly onto the schedule.

What’s more is that Procore integrates with over 300 apps, so it’s easy to make it work with the tools you already use. 

Procore has a project and financial management plan for $699 per month, and a project management only plan for $499 per month. You can also contact them to build a custom bundle.

5. Contractor Foreman

Next on this list of the best contractor dispatching software options is Contractor Foreman.

Made specifically for contract management, Contractor Foreman has several dispatching features accessible from their dashboard. 

You can either build or import your schedules into the system and export them in your file format of choice. When the schedule is ready, you can share it with your contractors with the click of a button.

What’s more is that Contractor Foreman has several calendar views, including list and Gantt chart options. 

Contractor Foreman has four pricing options which range from $49-$148 per month.

6. Jobber

Jobber is a field service management solution made for several industries, including contractors. 

This solution offers flexible, real-time scheduling for home service dispatch that only requires you to drag and drop entries to reschedule or reassign jobs. 

For dispatching, you have five different views to choose from to get a clear view of your crew’s availability. You can also compare the schedules of two of your contractors side-by-side and schedule jobs through the app.

Jobber has three pricing plans to choose from:

• Core: $35 per user per month.
• Connect: $98 per month for up to 7 users.
• Grow: $196 per month for up to 30 users. 

7. BuildTools

BuildTools is construction management software offered by ECI solutions. Although primarily used by custom builders and remodelers, this solution works for anyone who manages projects.

You can copy schedules into the system or use BuildTools’s templates to create a custom schedule. Once done, there’s a “notify all” option to update your entire team at the same time. 

What’s more is that there is a baseline feature that tracks any changes in your schedule over time to help you keep a clear record of job progress. 

BuildTools does custom pricing, so you have to request a quote to begin the process. 

8. FieldEdge

Last on our list of the top contractor dispatching software solutions is FieldEdge.

FieldEdge is one of the best contractor scheduling tools for field service dispatch. This solution lets you view your active work orders on a single screen, categorizing them as unassigned, assigned, and completed. 

FieldEdge lets you categorize your field techs,  allowing you to assign them to jobs based on availability and experience. 

Additional features include:

• The ability to schedule jobs using drag and drop.
• Real-time information with a mobile app.
• Map-based scheduling for optimized routing.

For FieldEdge pricing, you must first request a demo. 

The value of a full contractor dispatch software and management solution

You rely on dispatching to drive your business to success, and using contractor dispatching software gets you there. 

The best dispatch software improves how you schedule and assign jobs to keep your team organized. The result is increased productivity and time saved to do other meaningful tasks. 

Remember to start your search by determining your business’ unique needs, then choose a solution that unites your current tools to create an efficient system. 

Get your dispatching on track today with your free trial of Method:Field Services! 

Image credit: Drazen via Adobe Stock

Dispatching keeps your business organized and your customers happy. But if dispatching feels like it’s dragging your business down rather than driving it forward, field service dispatch software could be what you’re missing. 

With the right field service management software, dispatching becomes automated, so you can spend more time growing your business to its full potential.

Keep reading to discover the top 10 benefits of using field service dispatch software to drive your business’ success. 

1. Easy scheduling and job dispatching

The number one perk of field service dispatch software is, of course, dispatching. 

Dispatching is the foundation of your daily operations. When there’s an issue dispatching a job, you risk bottlenecking your entire system.

The best way to prevent bottlenecks is to keep organized, and the way that field service businesses stay organized is through scheduling.

With job dispatch software, you can:

• Gain a full view of your field team’s schedule.
• Plan optimized routes in just a few clicks. 
• Send and receive real-time updates.

The best field service dispatch solution makes dispatching and scheduling more efficient by integrating it with your other business workflows.

Let’s continue with what those other workflows are. 

2. Simplify your estimate to work order and invoice flow

For any job, a customer concern is money, which is why it’s important to document costs throughout the job. 

Typically, you give three forms to your customers throughout the sales process:

1. Estimate.
2. Work order.
3. Invoice.

Chances are that these forms have similar information that carries over throughout the process. There might be variation, but not enough to create new forms each time.

With the right field service dispatch software, you can create an estimate, then upon approval, easily convert it into a work order for dispatching. Once the job’s done, modify your work order with the final job costs and convert it to an invoice to deliver to your customer.

This flow eliminates manual data entry and ensures consistency throughout the job, leaving you time to manage other aspects of your business. 

3. Customer management capabilities

The best field service dispatch software doesn’t just manage your jobs. Field service software manages every aspect of your business, even your customers.

Customer retention is the best way to increase your revenue, so it’s essential not to lose track of your loyal customers. Service dispatch software simplifies customer management, so you can provide top-notch customer service.

Field service software lets you easily manage your customer’s information, including details such as:

• Name and address.
• Service history.
• Special requests.
• Payment status.

What’s more is that you can set automated reminders to notify your customers of upcoming appointments. 

Another plus is that the right job dispatch software’s automated follow-ups will ensure that each of your customers feels that they receive the attention they deserve.

4. Online invoicing and payments

The way you manage your payments can make or break your business. Especially when you realize that if you lose track of the status of your invoices, you risk payment delays and a dent in your revenue. 

Luckily, this doesn’t have to be the case, as one of the best ways to manage payments is through a customer portal. 

An online portal allows your customers to receive, view, and pay invoices online at their convenience. The portal also lets you track the status of each invoice, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.

The best field service management software offers an online portal to make invoicing and payments simple for you and your customers.

Say, for example, that your customer does forget to pay their invoice. With online portals, you’re notified by your field service dispatch software solution to follow up swiftly. Better yet, you can set up automated reminders for your customers for overdue payments.

Thanks to payment gateways, the best field service management software also expands your customer’s payment options, boosting the quality of your customer service. 

5. A field technician mobile app

One of the biggest challenges for field service businesses is communication. This is because part of your team is in the field while others are in the office. 

However, communication is key to ensuring that everyone is on the same page. To bridge the gap, choose a job dispatch software with a mobile app. Here’s why.

A mobile app allows your field service technicians to communicate with your office time while they’re on the job — and vice versa.

This means that you always know the status of a job and are quickly informed if any issues arise. Likewise, a mobile app lets your office team communicate in bulk with field techs if, let’s say, a job is canceled, or poor weather conditions are on the way.

A mobile app also enables your field techs to:

• Track their time spent on the job.
• Upload photos. 
• Capture e-signatures on site.

6. A QuickBooks or Xero integration

By now, it’s clear that there are several benefits to field service dispatch software. But if the software you choose doesn’t fit into your existing business processes, it can result in more problems than solutions. 

This is why it’s important to choose software that integrates with your everyday business tools, from payroll to your email software. 

One of the most important tools for your field service business is your accounting software.

Accounting tools such as QuickBooks and Xero are essential to managing your expenses and revenue, but have limitations when it comes to other tasks, such as field service dispatch. This is why integration between the solutions is key.

Field service dispatch software that easily integrates with your favorite accounting tool creates an all-in-one solution.

Together, the best dispatch and accounting software integrations automate tasks, such as:

• Time tracking for payroll. 
• Sending invoices.
• Building reports.

7. Contactless e-signature capture

The sooner your customer signs off on a job, the sooner you get paid. So the best time to capture a customer’s signature is once the job is complete. Luckily, the right software solution allows your field techs to handle that part.

The best dispatch software lets your field technicians capture customer signatures using a mobile app. This allows you to: 

• Get quick approvals.
• Send your customer invoices sooner.
• Minimize the risk of paperwork going missing.

If your software solution also converts your work orders into invoices, your customer receives their invoice before your technician even leaves the site!

8. Progressive and recurring invoicing

You’ve heard a lot about invoicing so far, and that’s because it’s one of the most important parts of your business. But since every business owner manages invoices differently, it’s best to choose a software solution with multiple options for billing.

Your field service software solutions should allow you to progressively invoice your customers, especially for large jobs. For example, you can send half the total cost of the job for payment once the estimate is approved and then collect the remainder once the job is complete.

Better yet, for your loyal customers who you service regularly, set up recurring invoices in sync with their service schedule to minimize your manual work and maximize customer satisfaction.

9. Weekly and monthly calendar views

Field service dispatch relies on scheduling. That’s why you need an easy-to-read schedule that’s familiar to everyone on your team.  

The good news is that field service scheduling software can simplify your job scheduling with the tools you already use. 

Get an at-a-glance view of your dispatched jobs by integrating your field service dispatch software with calendar tools, such as Google Calendar and Outlook.

Better yet, when a new job comes in, adjust the calendar view to see which technicians have availability and quickly assign the job in one click.  

10. Work order management

Managing work orders can take up a whole day on its own since work order management requires actions such as:

• Creating.
• Modifying.
• Scheduling.
• Assigning.

With a number of actions to keep track of, it’s difficult to stay on top of your work orders while taking care of other aspects of your business. Thankfully, contractor dispatch software lightens the load.

Since work orders are an essential part of dispatching, the best field service dispatch software reduces the work required to manage your work orders so you can spend more time growing your business. 

How to get started with field service dispatch software

Dispatching is the glue that holds your business together, so it’s crucial to have tools that simplify the process.

The best field service dispatch solution enhances every part of your business and improves your bottom line with must-have features such as:

1. Automated job scheduling.
2. A strong estimate to work order to invoice workflow.
3. Customer management.
4. Invoicing and online payment processing.
5. A mobile app.
6. A QuickBooks or Xero integration.
7. Contactless e-signature capture.
8. Progressive and recurring billing.
9. At-a-glance calendar views for scheduling.
10. Work order management.

Ready to take you dispatching to the next level? Start your free trial of Method:Field Services today!

Image credit: Berkley Communications via Unsplash

Dispatching keeps your field services business moving. So when there’s a bump in your dispatching process, your entire business falls behind. To minimize disruptions, looking at dispatching software for small business options is a great place to start.

In this article, you’ll learn why dispatching is the key to successful field service operations and discover the best dispatch software for your business.

What is service dispatch software?

Field service dispatch software facilitates how you assign your field techs to incoming jobs. 

Dispatching software for small businesses isn’t only useful for dispatch services. The right tool affects every aspect of job management, such as:

• Creating work orders for dispatching.
• Efficient job scheduling.
• Preparing invoices once the job is complete. 

When searching for the best service dispatch software, there are a few key features to look for. Let’s discuss what they are.

What to look for in the best dispatch software

In general, dispatch software serves one main purpose: assigning jobs quickly and efficiently. However, no two software solutions are the same. It’s important to spend time choosing the solution with the features you need for your business.

Here are the features to consider when choosing the best dispatching software for small business.

Automation

In order to keep up with industry-standard, automation is a must. 

There are several aspects of your business that need your attention daily, so spending hours on manual work is not an efficient use of time. 

When you automate repetitive tasks, you free up your time to do more meaningful work, such as building relationships with your customers.

With the right dispatch software, you can automate tasks, such as:

• Job scheduling.
• Routing.
• Invoice reminders.

Easy to use interface

When looking at dispatching software for small business, you need solutions that make your life easier. So you don’t want a complex field service software solution with a steep learning curve.

Instead, choose a solution that has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. For the best insights, check out reviews to see how other users feel about the solution.

It’s a bonus if your solution is easily customizable so that you can mold it to better suit your business needs. 

Job tracking

Assigning techs to a job is only the first step. The real work begins when they arrive at the job site.  

Your techs are tasked with making sure the job goes smoothly, and rely on you for backup if anything goes wrong.

The best dispatching software simplifies communication between your field techs and your office team. This way, you can keep track of job progress and receive real-time updates from your techs.

If something does go wrong, your techs can let your office team know right away so that a solution can be reached quickly.

Route optimization

Understanding routes is a key component of dispatching, but routing is a challenge for many field service businesses. 

There are several consequences to inefficient routing, including:

• Field tech downtime.
• Delays in getting to the next job.
• Increased fuel costs.

Luckily, the best dispatch software solves this problem with optimized routing. 

As a result, your dispatcher no longer has to spend time figuring out the best route. The software takes over that role, allowing you to dispatch jobs quicker. 

This is especially helpful if the solution has a mobile app that integrates with tools such as Google Maps or Waze. 

Let’s take a look at your options for the best dispatching software for small business needs. 

The 7 best dispatch software for small business

Now that you understand what the best dispatch software solutions have in common, it’s time to choose the one that will strengthen your dispatching process and boost your team’s efficiency. 

To help you choose, here are the top 7 dispatch software solutions to integrate into your small business.

Method:Field Services

First on our list of the best dispatching software for small business is Method:Field Services.

Method:Field Services is field service management software that has the features you need for efficient dispatching, including: 

• Optimized routing to boost efficiency.
• Automated scheduling for better organization.
• Mobile time tracking so you stay in the loop.
• The ability to customize and automate your workflows.
• A mobile app for streamlined communication.

But what sets Method apart from other dispatching software is the solution’s two-way QuickBooks sync.

The best work order scheduling and dispatching for QuickBooks users

Method:Field Services instantly syncs key information to your QuickBooks account to speed up your billing process and eliminate double data entry for good.

Take time tracking. Once a job is dispatched and your technician arrives at the job site, the Method mobile app allows them to track their time spent on the job within the app. 

When the job is complete and your tech submits their time entries, it only takes a few clicks for you to approve and sync those time entries to your QuickBooks account. It’s now ready to be used for payroll and customer invoicing. 

Get started with the #1 dispatching solution for QuickBooks users with a free no-commitment trial.

mHelpDesk

mHelp Desk is another field service management software solution that automates your repetitive tasks, such as dispatching. 

This solution integrates several areas of your business to keep it organized. One of the most noteworthy features of mHelpDesk is that it allows you to dispatch jobs over text message.

Some of the other key features of mHelpDesk’s dispatching capabilities include:

• Automated assignment notifications.
• Google Calendar integration.
• Drag and drop scheduling.

10to8

Next on this best dispatching software for small business list is 10to8.

10to8 is primarily a job scheduling software, but since scheduling and dispatching go hand in hand, they have dispatching capabilities suitable for any small business. 

Some of 10to8’s key features include:

• Cloud-based instant updates.
• Live dashboards.
• The ability to handle recurring work orders.

It’s important to note that since 10to8 isn’t specifically field service or dispatching software, it lacks some core capabilities, such as time tracking. 

CoConstruct

CoConstruct is one of the best dispatch software solutions for construction management. 

This solution’s strength lies in its job tracking capabilities. The mobile app allows your field team to log what happens throughout the day.

Using CoConstruct’s iCal integration, you can schedule your team and set up alerts to ensure that your crew gets to the right site on time. 

What’s more is that your team members can easily “clock in/clock out” through the app, eliminating the need for spreadsheets.

Other CoConstruct key features include:

• QuickBooks integration.
• The ability to share photos and files. 
• To-do lists.

As is the case with 10to8, CoConstruct isn’t specialized dispatching software and is not as effective for non-construction field service companies.

ServiceTitan

To continue our list of the best dispatching software for small business, we have ServiceTitan.

ServiceTitan is made with service businesses in mind, which means that it offers dispatch solutions. 

Built for several industries, ServiceTitan facilitates dispatching by having customers confirm appointments before dispatching, minimizing the number of no-shows. Once confirmed, the job is funneled straight to your dispatch board and ready to be assigned. 

ServiceTitan has several other features that simplify dispatching, such as:

• Optimized scheduling and routing.
• Job histories view.
• Real-time dispatch updates.

It’s important to note that the mobile version of ServiceTitan is limited to techs on the field, so other members of your team wouldn’t be able to use it. 

FieldEdge

FieldEdge is an all-in-one field service software for businesses to connect teams.

FieldEdge allows you to see your active work orders on a single screen, categorizing them as unassigned, assigned, and completed. 

The software allows you to assign techs to jobs based on availability and experience. 

Additional features include:

• Simple job assignment with drag and drop.
• Real-time visibility into the job.
• Map-based scheduling.

FieldEdge’s reporting capabilities and limited, so If you’re looking to gain insights from your work orders, this may not be the solution for you. 

Housecall Pro

Last on our list of the best dispatching software for small business needs is Housecall Pro. 

HouseCall Pro is a popular home service dispatch software solution with all the features you need, including great dispatching. 

With HouseCall Pro, you can instantly text your technicians with new job information and use GPS tracking to ensure they make it to the site on time.

From there, you can keep in touch with the in-app chat. Your customers also stay in the loop, with an automated “on my way!” text and a notification once the job is complete.

HouseCall Pro also lets you:

• Set custom arrival windows.
• Manage job details and online payments.
• Request customer reviews.

Recap: Best dispatching software for small business

You can’t underestimate the power of efficient dispatching on field service businesses, which is why you need the right contractor dispatching software.

The best dispatching software for small business satisfies your dispatching needs and enhances all other aspects of your business. 

When choosing your next software solution, remember to pay special attention to these features:

• Automation.
• Routing.
• Job tracking.
• Ease of use.

Kickstart your dispatching with a free trial of Method:Field Services!

Image credit:Tima Miroshniche via Pexels