From producing quotes and scheduling work to chasing up invoices, the constant stream of admin work means that electrical contractors are having their attention taken away from their primary duties.

To free up time so contractors can focus their efforts on billable work, admin work needs to be streamlined so the pressure is taken off.

The Real Cost of Admin Work

Little admin tasks here and there may not seem like much, but they quickly add up. In fact, field service professionals end up spending around 6 hours a week on admin tasks alone – a large chunk of time that takes away from their main role.

For an electrical contractor, this time is valuable. If it is not spent working on billable jobs, it means income is being lost as the admin tasks pile up and get in the way of opportunities for paid work.

Since many contractors don’t even realize how much of their time is being swallowed up by admin work, the first step is becoming aware of the impact it is having. At this stage, there are various strategies that electrical contractors can put in place to make their admin duties more efficient.

3 Ways to Streamline Admin for Electrical Contractors

Here are three of the most effective tips that electrical contractors can use to save time on those ongoing admin tasks…

Integrate workflows

One of the biggest causes of unnecessary admin time is having to input data into multiple systems. An example of this would be entering the details of a new client into an internal spreadsheet, invoice, and booking system. Having to duplicate data on a regular basis quickly racks up the amount of lost time spent on a job.

As well as meaning time is not being well utilized, this approach can be frustrating for contractors. The mundane and inefficient process can result in human error since there is an increased chance of data being input incorrectly.

To streamline the process, workflows can be integrated so that data only has to be entered into the system once. Using an electrical contractor software means that tools such as payroll, accounting, field operations, and customer management can all be managed in one central place.

Once this software has been set up, having workflows integrated can save vast amounts of time. Since processes can be automated, things like quotes and payroll can be handled without the need for manual data entry since the system already contains all of the information that it needs to produce an instant output.

Create a set of templates

The documents needed for each job can be very time-consuming and eat into an electrical contractor’s week. Whether it be writing up quotes, filling out invoices, or compiling job reports, these ongoing duties can be repetitive.

Once again, the risk of error is an issue that is faced when creating documents from scratch. In such important documents, any mistakes can end up being costly and impact the reputation of the contractor.

To save time on admin tasks and maintain consistency, creating a set of templates for quotes, invoices, and job reports can transform the way an electrical contractor works. Once they have been set up, they can simply be filled in and sent off in a fraction of the time.

For those using electrical contractor software, these templates are often built in, but for those who are not, creating branded templates that can be used for jobs will help contractors produce well-structured documents each and every time.

Automate customer reminders

Dealing with customer queries and sending regular follow-ups is another huge use of time for electrical contractors who are trying to get on with their work. These communications can cause regular distractions throughout the day and waste valuable time that could otherwise be spent on billable work.

One way to minimize customer interaction is by automating follow-ups after a quote or invoice has been sent. By scheduling automated messages that are sent at regular intervals after the initial contact, customers can be prompted to take action.

Another way to utilize automated messages is to send out reminders to customers the day before their booking. This prevents the risk of work being lost or delayed by customers who have forgotten about the contractor needing to enter their property.

These automated reminders are not only useful from the contractor’s perspective, but also give a more professional image. For customers, being sent regular reminders is a useful service that can make the contractor seem more reputable and proactive.

Saving Time Without Sacrificing Service

Although admin tasks are unavoidable, they do not have to take an electrical contractor away from billable work.

By streamlining admin work to cut down on the number of hours that need to be spent producing documents and chasing up customers, contractors are able to focus their efforts on the duties that matter the most.

Utilizing the power of modern technology by introducing new tools that are designed to help electrical contractors streamline their service means customers can receive better service  – a mutually beneficial outcome that can help businesses thrive.