Homepros

Economy

Carrier CEO talks unit volumes, the economy, and tariffs

A roundup of highlights from the company's panel at Wells Fargo's annual Industrials & Materials Conference

America’s skilled trades moment: Philanthropy, Big Tech, and Wall Street pledge $555 million

“The future of our country depends on the skilled trades,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said Monday

Roto-Rooter parent targeted by activist investor

Chemed’s stock price has fallen by just over 20 percent over the past year — and is down more than 30 percent from its 2024 peak

Spring plumbing enrollment dips at two-year colleges

Just over 8,600 students were enrolled in such programs during the spring 2026 semester, a five percent year-over-year decrease

Legal

Supreme Court tosses ruling that upheld 95% furnace rule

The Department of Energy in 2023 finalized a rule requiring all residential gas furnaces manufactured after December 18, 2028, to have an AFUE rating of at least 95 percent

U.S., Mexico wrap first set of talks over trade deal shielding HVAC products from tariffs

“The United States continues to emphasize the importance of ensuring the Agreement benefits U.S. businesses of all sizes,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Rep. wrote in a statement

Federal apprenticeship bill teases tax credit to offset training costs

The Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support Act would help roofing contractors offset the cost of training apprentices and formalize on-the-job training programs

DOE unfreezes Home Energy Rebates, nixes gas-to-electric upgrades

The Department of Energy on Monday released guidance on two federal HVAC-focused rebate programs, including a series of changes

M&A

Exclusive

Q&A: The roofing M&A landscape

In conversation with Aaron Toomey, Managing Director at home services-focused investment bank Anchor Peabody

May’s most popular stories

Some big-money action, an EPA rule change, and ChatGPT's local business ads

Apex Service Partners to receive minority investment at $10 billion valuation

Founded in 2019 with backing from California-based Alpine Investors, Apex is the largest private equity-backed residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform in the U.S.

USA Hometown Experts exploring sale, reports say

While the reported process is in the early stages, it follows a string of private equity-backed platform activity this year

Management

Meet the Contractor: Brandon Anderson, Morris-Jenkins

"Our former owner, Mr. Jenkins, built the company around taking care of people"

Google channels diverged on paying customers, average ticket in Q1: Analysis

Google’s primary lead generation channels, from Business Profiles to Local Services Ads, in the first quarter of this year told different stories, according to one analysis