The short answer
A new 2026 survey of 248 home service professionals found 48% now actively use AI, the clearest sign yet of rising AI adoption in the trades. Electrical (54%) and plumbing (53%) professionals report the highest active use, and most pros are using it to answer calls faster and stay on top of the books, not to replace hands-on work.
How Many Trades Pros Actually Use AI Right Now?
Housecall Pro surveyed 248 U.S. home service professionals in spring 2026, with HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and general contracting making up the largest groups. Nearly half, 48%, said they actively use AI in their business today, and 84% of those users expect to lean on it even more over the next year.
The gap isn’t really about willingness. Among pros who don’t use AI yet, 52% said they simply aren’t familiar with the tools built for their trade, and a third said they’re planning to try it and just haven’t gotten around to it. Awareness, not resistance, is what’s actually holding back faster AI adoption in the trades.
Which Trade Is Actually Leading AI Adoption in the Trades?
Electrical and plumbing pros report the highest active use in this year’s data, both ahead of the broader 48% average across all trades surveyed.
- Electrical professionals: 54% actively use AI, the highest of any trade in the survey.
- Plumbing professionals: 53% actively use AI, close behind.
- HVAC and general contracting made up the largest survey groups (28% and 10% of respondents) without necessarily posting the highest use rate.
- Auto repair and roofing weren’t broken out separately in this particular survey, but fit the same pattern seen across the wider home service industry this year.
What Are Trades Pros Actually Using AI For?
The top uses aren’t field work. They’re customer communication and follow-up (52% of AI users), building estimates and quotes (51%), and business planning and reporting (43%). AI is handling the busywork around the job, the technician still does the job itself.
One example from the report: before adding an AI answering line, a moss removal company owner said only 15-20% of callers who reached voicemail left a message. After switching to an AI system that actually talks with callers, 60-70% now interact and leave their name, address, and what they need. As the owner put it, most of those callers would otherwise “just hang up and call the next person on the list on Google.”
Frequently asked questions
How many home service pros use AI in 2026?
48% actively use AI in their business, according to a 2026 survey of 248 U.S. home service professionals, up from roughly 40% the year before.
Which trade has the highest AI adoption?
Electrical professionals report the highest active use at 54%, with plumbing close behind at 53%, both ahead of the overall 48% average across trades surveyed.
What do trades pros mainly use AI for?
Customer communication and follow-up, building quotes and estimates, and business planning and reporting are the top three uses, not field or hands-on work.
Is AI replacing skilled trades work?
No. Every finding in the 2026 survey frames AI as handling the busywork around the job, calls, quotes, follow-up, and reporting, while the skilled, hands-on work stays with the technician.
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