As service industries face evolving challenges in 2026, Sean Knox, President of Knox Pest Control, offers a practical perspective grounded in nearly 25 years of operational experience. His outlook emphasizes strengthening fundamentals rather than pursuing rapid growth, addressing structural shifts affecting home services and local businesses.
"The last few years taught us that stability matters more than speed," Knox says. "The people who will do well next year are the ones who stop chasing shortcuts and start strengthening fundamentals." This approach responds to several documented changes reshaping the industry, including rising customer expectations where 73% of consumers now expect faster response times and clearer communication.
Labor pressures continue with skilled trade roles facing approximately 20% vacancy rates nationally, while environmental awareness grows with 61% of homeowners saying eco-friendly practices influence their trust decisions. "What's changed is accountability," Knox explains. "People want to know who they're working with and why they should trust them."
Knox identifies common missteps including expanding responsibilities too quickly, ignoring training, and treating technology as a solution rather than a tool. According to workforce studies, 58% of operational issues stem from poor internal communication. "You can't outgrow weak systems," Knox adds. "They always catch up."
The year ahead will likely see hiring and retention tighten further, regulatory standards evolve, and consistency matter more than creativity. "Doing the basics well, every day, is going to separate people," Knox says. Effective practices include slower decision-making, investing in people before processes, and building trust locally rather than chasing scale.
Knox outlines three scenarios for the year ahead. In an optimistic scenario with labor stabilization and improved technology adoption, he recommends deepening skills and strengthening local relationships. A realistic scenario with continued pressure and uneven demand calls for focusing on consistency and simplifying workflows. A cautious scenario with higher costs and staffing strain requires reducing overcommitment and protecting planning time.
"Don't wait for perfect clarity," Knox advises. "Pick a path, commit to the basics, and take care of the people around you. That's how you get through uncertain years." His perspective highlights the importance of operational discipline as industries navigate structural changes documented in workforce studies available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm and consumer research at https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/home-improvement/home-service-providers-report-a1030502725/.
