Hey Blueprint fam, Hiring is the biggest issue facing contractors in 2026. The labor shortage is real. HVAC alone is short over 110,000 techs. Plumbing is heading toward a 550,000 worker shortage by 2027. Every time you lose a trained tech, it costs you $25,000 to $50,000 in rehiring, retraining, lost productivity, and lost jobs. But here’s what most contractors don’t want to admit: You’re not just losing people to the market. You’re losing them because your hiring process is broken. You hire the first warm body that walks in the door. No real screening. No system. No questions that actually reveal character. Then you’re shocked when they no-show, drag the crew down, or leave and take customers with them. The truth is simple: Skills get you hired. Attitude keeps you employed. If you want to stop the expensive revolving door, you have to get much better at who you let on your truck. Start with these basics: - Screen every applicant fast if they can’t communicate with you, they won’t communicate with your customers. - Ask the right questions in the interview to expose attitude and coachability. - Check references properly and look for red flags like frequent job hopping or blaming others. - Hire slow. A mediocre hire costs more than an empty seat. - Once you have good people, keep them with clear expectations, fair pay, training, and recognition. Hiring and retention is one of the biggest leaks in most home service businesses right now. Reply below and be honest: What’s been your biggest struggle with hiring or keeping good techs lately? Let’s talk about how to fix this. I’m right here with you. — Chris