The 4 automations electrical contractors build first
1. Quote follow-up sequence
Larger electrical jobs — panel upgrades, EV charger installations, full rewires — have longer sales cycles than a simple repair call. A homeowner getting a panel upgrade quoted is almost certainly shopping two or three bids, coordinating with a general contractor, and waiting on financing approval. The contractors who win are the ones who stay in touch throughout that window without being pushy.
The automation sequence works like this: a quote is sent through ServiceTitan or Jobber, and the automation monitors for a response. After 48 hours of silence, a personalized SMS goes out: "Hey [Name], following up on the electrical quote I sent. Happy to walk through anything." At day 5, a second follow-up includes a link to financing options for larger projects. At day 10, a final message closes the sequence. Every message stops the moment the prospect responds -- no one gets a follow-up after they've already replied.
2. Permit and inspection reminder automation
Pulled a permit for a panel upgrade or a new service installation? The inspection process is one of the most avoidable sources of rework costs in electrical contracting. A failed inspection means a return trip, rescheduling with the AHJ, and an explanation to the homeowner. Most failures are preventable with proper prep -- which means reminders.
After a permit is pulled and an inspection date is logged in the job management system, automation sends a reminder to both the homeowner and the crew lead 48 hours before the scheduled inspection: "Reminder: your electrical inspection is scheduled for [date] at [time]. The inspector will check [list of common items]. Call us with any questions." On the morning of the inspection, a second reminder goes out to confirm the appointment and reset any last-minute prep items.
3. Post-job review request
In most major metros, "electrician near me" generates between 12,000 and 40,000 searches per month. The contractors appearing in the local 3-pack -- with 80+ reviews and a 4.8+ rating -- capture the majority of those clicks. Getting there is almost entirely a function of how consistently you ask for reviews after every job, and how you route dissatisfied customers away from your public profile.
The automation triggers when a job is invoiced and closed in the field management software. After a 4-hour delay, an SMS goes out: "Hi [Name], thanks for having us out today. If we did good work, a quick Google review helps us a lot: [link]. If anything wasn't right, reply here and I'll personally make it right. -- [Owner name]" Customers who express dissatisfaction via reply are automatically routed to a private feedback form, keeping your public rating clean.
4. Lead and inquiry instant response
Half of the electrical leads that come through Angi, Thumbtack, or a website contact form are won by the first contractor to respond. The problem is that most contractors have a dispatcher or owner checking messages every few hours -- by which time the homeowner has already booked the company that called back in four minutes.
Instant response automation changes this entirely. When a lead comes in through any source, an SMS goes out within 60 seconds: "Hi [Name], got your message about [inquiry]. I'll call you in the next few minutes -- [Owner name] at [Company]." At the same moment, the field agent or dispatcher receives a text alert with the lead details so they can make the call. The lead is created in the CRM automatically with full contact info and inquiry notes.
What tools electrical contractors use
Most electrical automation builds connect field management software to communication tools through an automation layer. The specific stack depends on your current software environment, but typical builds include:
ServiceTitan is best for multi-crew operations with complex dispatch and invoicing needs. Jobber handles most workflows for smaller electrical businesses at a lower overhead. Angi and Thumbtack integration is especially valuable for contractors spending heavily on those platforms -- automation ensures no lead goes unresponded to regardless of time of day.
What the numbers look like
Quote close rate: Electrical contractors who follow up consistently on quotes close 30-40% more jobs. On 50 quotes per month, that's 15-20 additional closed projects annually from the same volume of leads.
Inspection failures: Average failed inspection cost: $400-800. At 2-3 failures per month, inspection reminder automation pays for itself within the first 60 days.
Lead conversion: Angi leads contacted within 5 minutes convert at 3-4x the rate of leads contacted after 30 minutes. Instant response automation closes this gap on 100% of incoming leads.
How long does it take to build?
Most electrical contractor automation projects take 1-2 weeks from kickoff to go-live. Work is priced at $150/hr as a flat project -- the total is agreed before any work begins. No monthly fees, no SaaS subscriptions, no retainers. You own the automation after delivery.
Typical project scopes:
Quote follow-up sequence: 20-30 hours ($3,000-$4,500). Inspection reminder automation: 15-20 hours ($2,250-$3,000). Review request automation: 20-25 hours ($3,000-$3,750). Instant lead response: 15-20 hours ($2,250-$3,000).
Deep Dive
Explore our full automation guide and service page for electrical contractors
Frequently asked questions
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What software do electrical contractors use for automation?
ServiceTitan is the most common for larger electrical companies; Jobber for smaller operations. Automation connects to these plus lead platforms like Angi and Thumbtack to trigger instant responses, follow-ups, and review requests.
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How much does electrical contractor automation cost?
Quote follow-up sequences: 20-30 hours ($3,000-$4,500). Inspection reminder automation: 15-20 hours ($2,250-$3,000). Review request automation: 20-25 hours ($3,000-$3,750). All one-time cost at $150/hr with no monthly fees.
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How do you automate quote follow-up for an electrical contractor?
When a quote is sent, automation monitors for a response. After 48 hours of silence, a personalized SMS follow-up goes out. At day 5, a follow-up with financing options is sent for larger projects. A final touch at day 10 closes the sequence. Every message stops the moment the prospect responds.
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How do you automate permit inspection reminders?
After a permit is pulled and an inspection date is set in the job management system, automation sends a reminder to both the homeowner and crew lead 48 hours before and again on the morning of the inspection, with a checklist of what the inspector will review.
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How do you get more Google reviews for an electrical business?
A review request SMS triggers 3-4 hours after a job is closed and invoiced. The message includes a direct Google review link. Customers who indicate dissatisfaction are routed to a private form so negative feedback never reaches your public profile.