All Stories

Electrician installing a smart thermostat, showcasing smart home technology integration for trades professionals and business growth opportunities.
Trades

Top Smart Home Devices for Trades Professionals

A single smart thermostat installation can yield a 40% profit margin for an electrician.

Rick Donovan·May 3
Mechanics working on vehicles in a busy auto repair shop, surrounded by aftermarket parts, illustrating the stable automotive aftermarket industry.
Industry

SEMA Report: Specialty Equipment Sales Stabilize at $52.65 Billion

With new vehicle loan rates around 7.

Rick Donovan·May 3
Diverse group of apprentices, including women and people of color, working on a construction site, symbolizing Canada's $6 billion skilled trades initiative.
Trades

Canada's $6B Skilled Trades Plan Faces Diversity Gap Despite Growth

Canada has committed an unprecedented $6 billion to recruit 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled trades workers, yet women still comprise only 14% of registered apprentices in 2023.

Rick Donovan·May 3
Advanced battery management system in a high-tech lab, demonstrating two-fault tolerance for critical defense applications.
Safety

Top 11 Advanced Battery Safety Practices for Every Need

In critical defense applications, a battery management system must remain safe even if two failures occur simultaneously.

Ben Foster·May 3
Diverse volunteers working in a Detroit community garden, utilizing tools from the new Ford and Carhartt sponsored ToolBank.
Projects

Ford and Carhartt Launch Detroit ToolBank to Aid Community Projects

For just 2 cents, a Detroit community group can now rent a paint can key.

Scott Ramirez·May 3
Diverse group of apprentices learning fiber optic installation and electrical wiring in a modern training facility, symbolizing workforce development.
Industry

Apprenticeships Address Skilled Trades Labor Shortage

CBRE and Meta are launching a multiyear initiative called LevelUp to recruit and train thousands of fiber technicians for U.

Rick Donovan·May 2
Electrician and plumber advising a homeowner on smart home devices in a modern living room setting.
Projects

Top Smart Home Devices Trades Pros Can Recommend

A recent survey found that 70% of homeowners trust their electrician or plumber more than a retail associate for smart home device recommendations, yet only 15% of trades professionals actively offer

Rick Donovan·May 2
Automotive technician wearing safety gear inspects a high-voltage EV battery pack with a subtle spark indicating a potential hazard.
Safety

7 High-Voltage Battery Safety Protocols

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled certain 2026 Nissan Leaf vehicles due to a battery fire risk.

Ben Foster·May 2
A human cleaner and a sophisticated robot collaborating to clean a modern, well-lit living room, showcasing a new era of home services.
Services

Chinese firms deploy human-robot teams for home cleaning

For just 149 yuan (about $22), a new home cleaning service in China dispatches both a human and a robot to tidy your home.

Rick Donovan·May 2
Homeowner smiling in front of a newly installed garage door, symbolizing a successful DIY home improvement project that boosts property value.
Projects

Top DIY Home Projects That Boost Value and Confidence

A new garage door can return an astonishing 268% of its cost, according to Benzinga .

Scott Ramirez·May 2
A comprehensive 450-piece mechanics tool set organized by drive size on a workbench, ready for DIY car maintenance.
Automotive Services

Top 8 Essential Hand Tools for DIY Car Maintenance

A 450-piece mechanics tool set, organized by drive size in three drawers, empowers home mechanics to tackle nearly any repair.

Luis Ortega·Apr 30
A diverse selection of durable and sustainable commercial flooring options, including recycled rubber, natural linoleum, and polished concrete, in a modern interior.
Materials

Top 9 Durable & Sustainable Commercial Flooring Options

In 2024, the US commercial flooring market, valued at $14.

Kyle Brenner·Apr 30
Close-up of a mechanic's hands using a precision screwdriver on a car engine part, emphasizing tool quality and automotive repair.
Automotive Services

Top Screwdrivers for Automotive Repair

While an $80 electric screwdriver like the Bosch Go 3 Electric Screwdriver offers convenience with its seven clutch positions, a 101-piece magnetic set can cover a far wider array of automotive repair

Luis Ortega·Apr 30
Skilled automotive technicians collaborating around a car, analyzing advanced holographic engine diagnostics in a modern repair shop.
Automotive Services

Top 11 Automotive Diagnostic Tools for Technicians in 2026

While some automotive diagnostic tools retrieve an error code in under 18 seconds, others leave technicians waiting over 40 seconds.

Luis Ortega·Apr 30
Professional carpenter in action with a high-performance cordless impact driver, demonstrating power and precision on a modern construction project.
Trades

Top 5 Cordless Impact Drivers for Professional Carpenters

In recent independent tests, the Flex 24V ¼-inch hex impact driver edged out Milwaukee's top model by a tenth of a second in RSS screw tests.

Kyle Brenner·Apr 29
Tradespeople on a construction site wearing essential safety gear including hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests.
Safety

Top 4 Essential Safety Gear for Tradespeople

In 2022, over 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries were reported. A significant portion impacted tradespeople across sectors, many preventable with basic safety gear ( OSHA ). These are not just s

Ben Foster·Apr 29
Construction workers meticulously using fall protection gear, including harnesses and safety nets, on a high-rise building site.
Safety

Addressing Persistent Safety Violations in Skilled Trades

Last year, inadequate fall protection accounted for nearly 40% of all OSHA citations in construction.

Ben Foster·Apr 28
A professional cleaner in a sharp uniform meticulously maintaining a luxurious office lobby, reflecting elevated janitorial standards influenced by the hospitality industry.
Services

Luxury hotel cleaning standards raise bar for janitorial firms

In offices, hospitals, and schools, the subtle scent of a freshly polished lobby and the crisp uniform of a cleaner are no longer just details.

Rick Donovan·Apr 27
Comparison of buying a new tool versus easily renting one from a Lowe's self-service kiosk, illustrating cost and convenience.
Tools & Equipment

Lowe's Tool Rental vs Ownership Cost Comparison

Instead of buying a specialized tool you'll use once, Lowe's now lets you reserve it online for a half-day, picking it up instantly at a self-service kiosk.

Kyle Brenner·Apr 26
Diverse community members selecting tools and equipment from shelves in a bustling, well-stocked community tool library, showcasing shared resources.
Tools & Equipment

Community groups, libraries lend tools for sharing

At the Asheville Tool Library, an annual household membership costs between $50 and $350 on a sliding scale, providing access to nearly 4,000 items—from power tools to party supplies—as of April 2026,

Kyle Brenner·Apr 25
A collection of DeWalt power tools, including drills and saws, neatly arranged on a workbench in a bright home renovation setting, ready for use.
How-To

Essential Power Tool Deals for DIY Home Renovation in 2026

DeWalt 20V MAX 4.0Ah batteries, essential for many power tools, are currently 55% off. Over 1,000 shoppers have added them to their carts, signaling a prime opportunity for DIYers, according to the Ne

Scott Ramirez·Apr 25
Woodworker fine-tuning an upgraded table saw fence for enhanced precision in a detailed workshop setting.
Projects

Table Saw Fence Hacks & Upgrades for Woodworkers

Many woodworkers unknowingly compromise their project quality because their factory table saw fence systems lack the reliability and precision required for exacting work.

Scott Ramirez·Apr 24
Small business owner using a tablet for project management in a modern workshop, symbolizing efficiency and technological integration for trades businesses.
Services

Top Small Business Management Software for 2026

Buildertrend, a leading construction management software, starts at $499/month.

Rick Donovan·Apr 24
A landscaper holds eco-friendly tools with a thriving, water-wise garden in the background, symbolizing a sustainable business.
Services

Essential Tools for Starting a Sustainable Landscaping Business in 2026

In drought-prone states like California, eco-friendly curb appeal is no longer a niche luxury but a crucial selling point, driven by strict water conservation rules.

Rick Donovan·Apr 23