Ep# 12 | Housecall Pro Cofounder Roland Ligtenberg on AI and the Future of the Trades

In this episode of Lifted: The Garage Door Podcast, Blair Witkowski sits down with Roland Ligtenberg, cofounder of Housecall Pro, for a fascinating conversation about AI, automation, and what’s coming next for home service companies. Housecall Pro has grown into one of the most widely used platforms in the trades, helping power more than 50,000 service businesses and supporting hundreds of thousands of technicians across the United States and Canada. With more than 100 million jobs processed through the platform, Roland and his team have a unique view into how contractors actually run their businesses—and where many of them are unknowingly leaving money on the table. During the conversation, Roland explains why some of the biggest problems contractors face today are surprisingly simple: missed phone calls, unoptimized schedules, slow follow-ups, and systems that still rely on paper, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools. We also dive deep into how AI is beginning to change the day-to-day operations of service companies, from answering calls and booking jobs to marketing, customer follow-ups, and even collections. Roland shares how Housecall Pro is building AI tools designed specifically for the trades, helping contractors automate the work they don’t enjoy so they can spend more time doing what they’re best at. Blair and Roland also discuss: • Why missed calls remain one of the biggest lost revenue opportunities in home service • How inefficient scheduling leaves empty space on technicians’ calendars • The rise of AI receptionists and automated job booking • Why financing options can dramatically improve closing rates • The importance of remarketing to past customers • How AI will reshape office work in the trades over the next few years One of Roland’s most memorable takeaways from the conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: “Everything you see today is as bad as it’s ever going to be.” In other words, the technology is only going to keep improving—and the companies that embrace it early will have a significant advantage. If you run a garage door company or any kind of home service business, this episode offers a rare inside look at where the industry is headed and how new tools can help contractors run smarter, more profitable operations. Watch this episode on YouTube Learn More About Housecall Pro https://www.housecallpro.com Connect with Roland Ligtenberg Roland can be found online or reached directly through Housecall Pro. About Lifted: The Garage Door Podcast Hosted by Blair Witkowski, Lifted explores the garage door industry through conversations with installers, entrepreneurs, and leaders shaping the future of the trades. Each episode dives into real stories, business strategies, and the challenges contractors face every day while building successful companies.