What Homeowners Actually Want From Contractors

If you’re in the skilled trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any service where the phone rings with “Hey, my system isn’t working,” this episode of SBM, “What Homeowners Actually Want” with Zachary Dearing, co-founder of Mantel, breaks down real homeowner insights pulled directly from Mantel’s survey data. The conversation translates the findings of the Mantel's survey "Homeowner Shopping Attitudes Report 2025" (https://www.usemantel.com/survey) into practical takeaways, making it a cheat sheet into how homeowners think, choose, and spend.

Here’s why you should listen, especially if you:

• Want to make more from every visit (yes, without feeling like a pushy home comfort advisor).

• Are stuck trying to grow your business, because you keep hearing “You’re too expensive” or “Let me think about it.”

• Need clarity on what ACTUALLY matters to modern homeowners. Spoiler: it’s not just the dollar amount.

• Are tired of home comfort “gurus” who can’t back up their advice with hard data.

If you want real, actionable ways to improve your process before, during, and after the visit grab the report the team discusses at usemantel.com/survey. It’s built on actual fieldwork, not fantasy.

Timestamps ⏰

[00:00] "Service Business Growth Strategies"

[04:52] "Self-Discovery in Decision-Making"

[08:57] "Persistence and Overcoming Dyslexia"

[10:48] "Overcoming Fears Through Automation"

[16:22] "Customer Obsession and User Focus"

[18:52] "Research-Driven Innovation and Giving Back"

[24:00] "Homeowner Priorities vs. Contractors"

[27:24] "Homeowners' HVAC Knowledge Gap"

[30:18] "Call Tracking for Smarter Marketing"

[31:30] "How Homeowners Find Contractors"

[36:00] "Trust and Reviews Drive Choices"

[40:52] "Home Recording Insights & Sales"

[43:26] "Homeowners Struggle to Find Clarity"

[47:46] "AI, Trends, and Future Insights"

[49:52] "Empowering Contractors to Boost Sales"

[51:55] Empowering Homeowners Through Visibility

[57:29] "Embrace Change and Adaptation"

[58:30] "Service Business Mastery Insights"

Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/
Josh Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/
Zac Dearing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-dearing-b761b825/ 

Connect with us on:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast
• Mantel Website - www.usemantel.com

Homeowner Shopping Attitudes Report 2025:
• Full Survey - https://www.usemantel.com/survey

This episode is kindly sponsored by:

• UpFrog

• CallRail

• CompanyCam Visit CompanyCam and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months!

• MarketStorm

• priceguide

Learn how to automate tasks, save time, and increase your profit. No coding required!

👉 Enroll Today - https://bit.ly/3CZTDte
Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!
👉 Visit: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod Subscribe now to stay updated with Service Business Mastery on YouTube!