Sean Knox, President of Knox Pest Control, has shared his perspective on the evolving landscape for home services and local operations in 2026. His outlook, drawn from nearly 25 years of experience, suggests that stability and fundamentals will be more critical than rapid growth in the coming year. "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."
Several structural shifts are already defining the environment for service businesses. Customer expectations are rising, with 73% of consumers now expecting faster response times and clearer communication. Labor pressures remain acute, with skilled trade roles facing national vacancy rates around 20%. Furthermore, environmental awareness is influencing consumer trust, as 61% of homeowners say eco-friendly practices affect their choice of service provider. "What's changed is accountability," Knox explains. "People want to know who they're working with and why they should trust them."
Knox identifies a common misstep among businesses: prioritizing growth over readiness. "Growth without readiness is just stress in disguise," he states. Common errors include expanding responsibilities too quickly, neglecting training and mentorship, and treating technology as a standalone solution rather than a tool. He points to workforce studies indicating that 58% of operational issues stem from poor internal communication. "You can't outgrow weak systems," Knox adds. "They always catch up."
The year ahead is likely to present intensified challenges, including tighter hiring and retention in service roles, evolving regulatory and environmental standards, and a heightened premium on consistency over creativity. "Doing the basics well, every day, is going to separate people," Knox says. "That's not flashy, but it works." Effective practices, from his viewpoint, will include slower, intentional decision-making, investing in people before processes, listening to frontline feedback, and building trust locally rather than chasing scale. "We don't sell outcomes," Knox says. "We sell reliability. That mindset applies anywhere."
Knox outlines three possible scenarios for the year to help leaders prepare. In an optimistic scenario where labor stabilizes and technology adoption improves, the best actions involve deepening skills, engaging in mentorship, and strengthening local relationships. A realistic scenario of continued pressure and uneven demand rewards those who focus on consistency, improve communication, and simplify workflows. A cautious scenario marked by higher costs and staffing strain calls for reducing overcommitment, doubling down on core responsibilities, and protecting time for planning. "Slow growth is still growth if it's healthy," he notes.
His practical advice is to assess one's own situation and commit to core principles. "Don't wait for perfect clarity," Knox encourages. "Pick a path, commit to the basics, and take care of the people around you. That's how you get through uncertain years." For more information on industry trends, readers can refer to workforce studies available at https://www.bls.gov.
