What challenges do contractors face during their busiest times of the year? Spoiler: a lot. That’s why we brought in Tom Peregrino, President of Service Nation, for a webinar full of actionable insights for contractors on staying organized during the busy season.
Tom has over 25 years of experience handling the pressure of peak seasons as a business owner, coach, and mentor. He shared his proven strategies for maximizing productivity, staying organized, and keeping your business running smoothly — even when things feel chaotic.
The Challenges of Busy Season
The busy season brings frantic workloads, tight deadlines, and endless client communication. No matter your trade — HVAC, plumbing, roofing, or landscaping — those weeks (or months) can feel like a sprint. The temptation to cut corners is real, but Tom stressed the importance of holding yourself and your team accountable.
Tom’s advice: Stick to the standards you set in the off-season. That’s how you maintain quality, even under pressure.
But where do you start when things feel overwhelming? Tom pointed out that trying to navigate these challenges on your own is unnecessarily difficult. Mentorship and coaching can provide the guidance, accountability, and encouragement needed to overcome peak-season struggles.
“For years, I tried building my HVAC business alone,” Tom shared. “I thought I didn’t need help, but it slowed my growth. It’s like working out alone — you might make progress, but a coach keeps you disciplined and motivated.”
Managing Client Expectations & Employee Engagement
Client expectations: High-maintenance clients can derail your entire workflow. Tom’s perspective? Don’t let one difficult client ruin the morale of your team, even if they pay well.
“Early in my career, I let bad clients stick around because of their money. But it cost me good team members. At the end of the day, it’s harder to replace great employees than to find new clients.”
Sometimes, you need to fire a client to protect your business and your people.
Employee engagement: Peak season often means hiring new team members or ramping up responsibilities for your current crew. To keep everyone engaged, Tom recommends preparing like an NFL team during the off-season.
“You can’t expect to win without putting in the work beforehand. Plan six months ahead — lay out clear job descriptions, responsibilities, and consequences for not meeting expectations.”
This clarity keeps employees focused, motivated, and accountable during high-pressure times.
Setting Goals for Growth
Setting clear goals aren’t just about hitting numbers — they’re about setting a vision your team can rally around.
“The leader of any business sets the tone. If your vision isn’t big enough to inspire your team, they won’t give their best. Create big, audacious goals that leave room for smaller, individual ones to fit underneath,” said Tom.
Whether it’s revenue growth, improving customer satisfaction, or enhancing team performance, your goals should push the limits of what you think is possible.
Preparing for the Busy Season
- Invest in mentorship. Seek advice from someone who’s been in your shoes. A coach can help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter decisions.
- Prioritize your team. Happy employees lead to happy clients. Protect your team from toxic customers and provide clear expectations.
- Plan ahead. Start prepping months before peak season so your team knows what to expect and how to handle challenges.
- Set bold goals. Think big and inspire your team to grow with you.
Missed the webinar? No worries. Watch the full webinar or check out our Webinar Hub for a collection of helpful videos to help you grow your business.
For even more tips and insights, check out our new podcast, The Good Contractor Podcast. We’re talking to contractors and industry leaders to uncover what separates a good contractor from a great one. Our mission? To help you see your business as more than just a series of transactions and inspire you to do good work.
