Research: questions you would look up if you had an hour.
59 research jobs an AI agent can do for HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, landscaping, cleaning, pest control and remodeling shops. Anything that reaches a customer or moves money waits for a person to say yes.
Competitor and pricing check
- Problem
- You do not know what others in your area charge for the same job.
- What the agent does
- Collects public prices and service lists and puts them in one table with sources.
- Where you approve
- You read the table and check the sources before changing your prices.
Prospect research before a call
- Problem
- You walk into a sales call knowing little about the company.
- What the agent does
- Writes a one-page brief from the company's public site and listings.
- Where you approve
- You read the brief and decide what to use. The agent contacts no one.
Permit and code questions
- Problem
- You are not sure which permit a job needs in a given city.
- What the agent does
- Finds the city's permit pages and code sections that apply and lists them with links.
- Where you approve
- You confirm with the city before you quote the job or pull a permit.
Material price check
- Problem
- Supplier prices move, and you quote from last month's numbers.
- What the agent does
- Checks public supplier prices for the materials you use most and flags big changes.
- Where you approve
- You check the numbers and update your price sheet yourself.
What customers say about local shops
- Problem
- You do not know what customers in your area praise or complain about.
- What the agent does
- Reads public reviews of nearby competitors and sums up the common praise and complaints, with links.
- Where you approve
- You decide what to change. The agent posts nothing and contacts no one.
Job history before a visit
- Problem
- Your tech shows up not knowing how old the roof, furnace or water heater is.
- What the agent does
- Looks up the year built and past permits for the address and writes a one-page brief on the job ticket.
- Where you approve
- Your estimator checks the ages on site before quoting, and nothing goes to the customer.
Rebate lookup for a job
- Problem
- Finding rebates takes time, and your staff give different answers on what a customer gets.
- What the agent does
- Takes the ZIP code and equipment and lists the federal, state, utility and maker rebates with links.
- Where you approve
- Your advisor checks the rules for each rebate before telling the customer a dollar amount.
Nameplate decode
- Problem
- Data plates are worn, and every brand hides the build date in the serial number differently.
- What the agent does
- Reads a photo of the nameplate, pulls the model and serial, works out the build date and logs the unit.
- Where you approve
- Your tech reviews unclear reads, and the office confirms warranty with the maker before promising coverage.
Fault code and manual lookup
- Problem
- Your tech digs through a long PDF or calls the senior tech for a code they have not seen.
- What the agent does
- Answers from the maker's manual with the page number, and says so when the manual does not cover it.
- Where you approve
- Your tech checks the cited page before acting, and the lead tech signs off on odd repairs.
Storm and hail check for roofers
- Problem
- After a storm you do not know which streets and past customers took hail.
- What the agent does
- Matches public hail reports to your customer list and service area and ranks the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
- Where you approve
- You pick which areas to knock or mail, and you approve every message before it goes out.
Public bid watch
- Problem
- City, county and school bids are spread across too many sites to check.
- What the agent does
- Scans public bid sites each day, matches them to your trade and area, and lists the deadlines and requirements.
- Where you approve
- You decide which bids to chase, and you approve anything before it is submitted.
Sub license and insurance check
- Problem
- A sub with a lapsed license or insurance puts you on the hook.
- What the agent does
- Reads each insurance certificate, checks dates and limits, looks up the license on the state board and flags gaps.
- Where you approve
- You or your office manager make the final call on any flagged sub before they start.
New permit lead list
- Problem
- You hear about new builds and remodels in your area after someone else got the job.
- What the agent does
- Watches newly filed permits by work type and area and builds a weekly list of projects and who is behind them.
- Where you approve
- You review the list and choose who to contact, and you approve any outreach first.
Product recall check
Checks the model numbers of equipment in your customer records against public recall notices, such as CPSC postings, and lists affected customers. You decide how to contact them.
Equipment spec comparison
Puts the specs of two or three furnaces, heat pumps or tankless heaters side by side from the makers' spec sheets, with links. Your tech or sales lead checks the numbers before a customer sees them.
Code change summaries
Reads public notices about your state or city adopting a new code edition and lists the changes that touch your trade, with links to the sections. You confirm with the inspector before changing how you work.
Energy code requirements for a job
Finds the insulation, duct sealing or window efficiency rules for a remodel in a given city, with the code section and source link. Your estimator checks them before pricing.
Utility interconnection rules for solar
Looks up the local utility's interconnection steps, forms and timelines for a solar or battery install and lists them with links. Your project manager confirms with the utility.
HOA rules lookup
Finds the HOA's published rules on fences, roof materials, exterior colors or yard signs when they are posted online, and quotes the relevant lines. The homeowner confirms with the HOA.
Historic district requirements
Checks whether an address is in a historic district and lists the review steps and material limits for windows, siding or roofing, with links to the city pages. You confirm before quoting.
Flood zone and elevation lookup
Looks up the public flood zone for an address and notes what that may mean for equipment placement or permits, with the map link. Your project lead checks the rules with the city.
Soil and drainage notes for landscapers
Pulls the public soil survey type for a property and summarizes what it says about drainage and clay, with the source. Your designer uses it as a starting point and checks on site.
Plant hardiness and native plant lists
Builds a plant list for a landscape job from the property's hardiness zone and local native plant guides, with sun and water needs. Your designer picks the final plants.
Termite and pest pressure by area
Gathers public extension service information on which termites, ants or mosquitoes are active in your area by month. You use it to plan treatments and messages.
Pesticide label lookup
Finds the current label for a pest control product and quotes the rates, re-entry times and restrictions, with the label link. Your licensed applicator follows the label itself.
Safety data sheet lookup
Finds the safety data sheet for a cleaning chemical, sealer or adhesive your crew uses and lists the PPE and first aid steps, with the source. Your safety lead keeps the binder current.
Lead paint rules for older homes
Lists the EPA lead-safe work rules that apply when painting or remodeling a home built before 1978, with the official links. You make sure your certified renovator is on the job.
Asbestos risk notes by home age
Lists the materials in a home of a given age that commonly contain asbestos, such as old floor tiles or pipe wrap, with public sources. Testing by a licensed inspector decides what you do.
Refrigerant rule changes
Summarizes public EPA notices on refrigerant phase-downs and what they mean for the equipment you install, with links. Your service manager plans stock and pricing.
Tax credit eligibility notes
Lists which heat pumps, water heaters, windows or insulation qualify for federal tax credits based on the current IRS and ENERGY STAR pages. You tell customers to confirm with their tax preparer.
Financing partner comparison
Compares public terms from consumer financing companies that work with contractors, such as dealer fees and loan lengths, in one table with sources. You talk to the lenders before signing up.
Software comparison for your shop
Compares field service, CRM or estimating software on public pricing and the features you care about, with links. You run the trials and decide.
Truck and van upfit research
Collects public options and prices for shelving, ladder racks and bins for your van model, with links to the sellers. You choose the setup.
Tool and equipment buying research
Compares models of a drain camera, jetter, sprayer or mower you plan to buy on public specs, warranty terms and reviews, with links. You make the purchase decision.
Supply house comparison
Lists the supply houses within driving distance, their hours, which brands they stock and their posted policies, from public pages. You call them to set up accounts.
Wage ranges for hiring
Collects posted pay ranges for tech, helper and office jobs in your area from public job listings, with links and dates. You set your own pay.
Market check before adding a service
Gathers public information on demand for a service you are thinking of adding, like duct cleaning or holiday lights: how many local shops offer it, their posted prices and their reviews. You decide whether it fits.
New neighborhood and subdivision watch
Watches public planning commission agendas and plat filings for new subdivisions in your area, so you know where homes will need service in a few years.
Commercial property lead lists
Builds a list of local restaurants, churches, schools or offices that may need your trade, with public addresses and websites. You choose which to contact and approve any outreach.
Restaurant health inspection leads
Reads public restaurant inspection reports for items in your trade, such as grease trap, hood or pest violations, and lists the restaurants. You decide whether and how to reach out.
Code violation and condemned property lists
Gathers public code enforcement notices in your city and lists properties cited for roofing, plumbing or electrical issues. You decide whether to reach the owners and approve any letter.
Recently sold homes in your area
Pulls public sales records for homes sold in your service area last month, with year built, so you can plan mailers to new owners. You approve the mailer list.
Weather planning for outdoor crews
Summarizes the week's forecast for heat index, rain and wind at each job address, so you can plan roofing, painting and concrete days. You make the scheduling calls.
Heat illness and safety rule lookup
Finds OSHA and state guidance on heat breaks, fall protection or trenching for the work your crews do, with links. Your safety lead decides how to apply it.
Manufacturer warranty terms lookup
Finds the warranty terms for a brand and model, including registration deadlines and what voids coverage, with the source page. Your office confirms with the maker before telling the customer.
Replacement part cross-reference
Finds equivalent replacement parts for an obsolete motor, valve or board using maker and supplier catalogs, with links. Your tech confirms the fit before ordering.
Discontinued material match
Searches public catalogs for a shingle, tile or siding color that matches a discontinued product from a photo and product name, and lists close options with links. You check samples before quoting.
Customer reviews of a brand
Sums up public complaints and praise about a water heater, roofing or window brand from reviews and forums, with links, before you decide to carry it.
Contract clause research
Lists common contract clauses for your trade, such as change orders, payment schedules and site conditions, with public sources and plain explanations. Your attorney writes the final contract.
State contractor license requirements
Lists the licensing steps, exam topics and insurance minimums for working in a neighboring state, from the official board site. You confirm with the board before bidding there.
Business insurance coverage questions
Lists questions to ask your insurance agent about general liability, tools coverage, commercial auto and workers comp for your trade. Your agent gives the answers and quotes.
Grant and small business program lookup
Finds public grant, loan and training programs for small contractors in your state, with deadlines and eligibility. You decide which to apply for.
Trade show and training event list
Builds a list of upcoming trade shows, maker training days and supply house events within driving distance, with dates and links.
Customer address research for large jobs
Checks public records for a commercial address to find the property owner and management company before you bid. You decide who to contact.
Water quality reports by area
Pulls the public water quality report for a customer's water system and summarizes hardness and other items, with the link. Your plumber uses it to plan a treatment quote.
Radon zone and testing notes
Looks up the radon zone for an address from public EPA maps and lists the testing options, with links. A certified tester decides what the home needs.
Local ordinance check for noise and work hours
Finds the city's rules on construction hours, noise limits and Sunday work, with links, before you schedule an early start. You confirm with the city if it is unclear.
Tree removal permit rules
Finds whether a city requires a permit to remove a tree of a given size or species, with the ordinance link. Your arborist confirms before quoting the removal.
AI receptionist trial call scorecard
Writes a test script from your five most common caller questions, then scores each trial call transcript on whether it got the job type, address and callback number right and how it handled a question it could not answer. You decide which service to keep.
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