AI for Electricians and Electrical Contractors: How to Use AI in 2025 [Examples]

About the Author: Ashley Thomson
Ashley Thomson

AI tools are on the rise. As a business coach specialising in the strategic growth of electrical contractors in Australia, I’ve seen firsthand how artificial intelligence tools are revolutionising our industry. A lot of electrician business owners are already using AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and more recently DeepSeek for basic tasks like writing emails or creating blog posts. But AI can do so much more.

In this article I’ll provide real examples of how electrical contractors and electricians use AI tools in their business in these key functions:

  1. Smarter job management and scheduling
  2. AI-powered planning for electrical work
  3. Faster and more accurate quoting and pricing
  4. AI automation of administration tasks
  5. AI-enhanced customer service
  6. AI for sales and marketing
  7. AI in recruitment and training
  8. AI-powered training and development
  9. Cutting costs with AI-powered financial insights
  10. Smarter inventory management with AI

Because I’m always thinking about the big picture, I’ve also included some concepts of how AI could be used in the future for each of these key functions in electrical contractor businesses.

1. Smarter Job Management and Scheduling

Current AI Applications

AI-driven scheduling software like ServiceTrade Smart AI is gaining traction among electrical contractors. This tool considers factors such as technician skills, location, and job urgency to create optimal schedules. Another popular option is Electricians.AI, which automates routine tasks and provides real-time updates on projects and appointments. These systems learn from past scheduling decisions to continually improve their accuracy.

Future Uses of AI in Job Management and Scheduling

In the future, we might see AI schedulers that can integrate with smart home systems and building management systems. This could allow for predictive maintenance scheduling, where the AI identifies potential issues before they become problems and automatically schedules a technician visit at the most convenient time for both the client and the contractor.

2. AI-Powered Electrical Work Planning

How AI is Helping Now

AI is starting to play a role in the planning phase of electrical work in construction projects. Some of my clients are using AI-powered design tools that can generate electrical plans based on building specifications and local regulations. These tools can significantly reduce the time spent on initial planning and help ensure compliance with relevant codes.

Future Uses of AI in Planning and Carrying Out Electrical Work

I’m excited about the potential for AI in augmented reality (AR) applications for electrical work. Imagine technicians wearing AR glasses that use AI to overlay electrical schematics onto their real-world view, highlighting potential hazards or showing the optimal placement for new installations. This could greatly enhance safety and efficiency on job sites.

3. Faster and More Accurate Quoting and Pricing with AI

Current AI Applications

Trade industry software specialists like simPRO are investing in their AI capabilities to improve their system’s functionalities including quoting process. In addition, the AI revolution is seeing more add-on or plugins to existing job management systems to enhance the tool with options such as analysing historical job data, current market rates, and even competitor pricing to generate accurate quotes quickly. Some electrical contractors are using Beam AI, which incorporates AI to automate electrical takeoffs, adjust pricing based on factors like current workload and labour capacity. These advanced tools can significantly streamline the quoting process and improve accuracy.

Future Uses of AI in Quoting and Pricing

In the future, we might see AI systems that can generate dynamic, personalised quotes in real-time. These could take into account factors like the client’s history, the complexity of the job, and even the current economic conditions to offer the most competitive and profitable quote possible.

4. AI Automating Administration Tasks

How AI is Helping Now

Many electrical contractors are already using AI-powered chatbots to handle routine tasks such as writing internal policies, preparing emails to follow up payments and writing job descriptions. AI is also being used in document processing, automatically extracting relevant information from invoices, receipts, and other paperwork to streamline administrative tasks.

Future Uses of AI in Admin

I foresee AI systems will soon be able to handle more complex administrative tasks, such as automatically generating and submitting compliance reports to regulatory bodies. These systems could continuously monitor business operations, ensuring all necessary documentation is always up-to-date and compliant with the latest regulations.

5. AI-Enhanced Customer Service

Current AI Applications

Many electrical contractor business I coach are implementing AI-powered customer service tools. For example, Copilot.Live offers a chatbot specifically designed for electricians. This AI assistant can handle basic customer inquiries 24/7, schedule appointments, and provide instant answers to common electrical questions. Another popular option is TalkForce AI, which uses voice agents to manage customer calls, reducing wait times and freeing up staff for more complex issues. These systems can also analyse customer feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Future Uses of AI in Customer Service

Looking ahead, we might see AI systems that can predict customer needs before they arise. For example, an AI could analyse a customer’s electrical usage patterns and proactively suggest energy-saving upgrades or maintenance checks, enhancing customer satisfaction and generating additional business opportunities.

6. AI for More Effective Sales and Marketing

Current AI Applications

AI-powered marketing tools are helping electrical contractors optimise their digital advertising campaigns. Platforms like Albert.ai can analyse vast amounts of data to identify the most effective channels and messages for reaching potential customers. Some of my clients are using AI-plugins to their existing CRM systems for lead scoring, helping their sales teams prioritise efforts on the most promising prospects. These tools significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing efforts.

The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing

I can see a time not to far away where we will have AI systems that can create highly personalised marketing campaigns for each potential customer. These systems may be able to analyse a prospect’s online behaviour, past interactions with the company, and even public records to craft tailored messages that resonate with their specific needs and preferences.

7. AI in Recruitment: Finding the Best Talent

How AI is Helping Now

I’m using AI with my clients to conduct research into the job market for roles we’re looking to fill, such as A-grade electricians, project managers and estimators. We’ll use a prompt to find out what job ads from other electrical contractors are offering in terms of salary and other benefits, and going deeper to assess what distinguishes a good job ad with lots of applications from an average, low response ad.

When it comes to reviewing applications, we’re using AI to research screen resumes and identify promising candidates. Some advanced systems can even analyse video interviews, assessing candidates’ body language and tone of voice to provide additional insights.

Future Uses of AI in Recruiting in Electrical Businesses

Looking ahead, we might see AI systems that can predict a candidate’s long-term success within the company. These systems could analyse factors like personality traits, skill sets of electricians, project managers, leading hands, and career aspirations to identify candidates who are not only qualified for the current role but also have the potential to grow with the company over time. Think of being able to predict which 1st year apprentice could be developed into a high valuable operations manager.

8. AI-Powered Training and Development

Current AI Applications

Many electrical contractors are using AI-powered e-learning platforms to deliver training to their technicians. These platforms can adapt to each learner’s pace and style, ensuring more effective knowledge retention. At Tenfold our business coaches provide management and leadership coaching as part of career development for our clients’ key roles, and we’re making use of AI tools with good results.

Future Uses of AI for Training Electricians

In the future, we might see AI-driven virtual reality (VR) training simulations for apprentice electricians or even upskilling A-grade electricians. These VR tools could provide electricians with hands-on experience in complex or dangerous scenarios without any real-world risk. The AI could adapt the simulation in real-time based on the trainee’s actions, providing a truly immersive and effective learning experience.

9. Cutting Costs with AI-Powered Financial Insights

Current AI Applications

AI tools are being used to analyse spending patterns and identify areas for cost reduction. Some advanced systems can even predict future costs based on historical data and market trends, helping businesses budget more effectively.

Future Uses of AI for Cost Management

I predict that it won’t be long before AI integrates into systems to autonomously manage key costs in electrical contractor businesses. These systems could continuously monitor all aspects of the business, from energy usage in the office to fuel consumption by company vehicles, and automatically implement cost-saving measures without human intervention.

10. Smarter Inventory Management with AI

Current AI Applications

Many electrical contractors are using AI-powered inventory management systems within AroFlo and ServiceM8. These AI-enhanced tools platform can predict when supplies will run low and automatically place orders to maintain optimal stock levels. It can even adjust order quantities based on factors like seasonality and upcoming projects. These systems significantly reduce the risk of stockouts while minimising excess inventory.

Future Uses of AI in Inventory Management

Looking to the future, we might see AI systems that can manage a decentralised inventory network. Instead of maintaining a central warehouse, the AI could coordinate a network of smaller, strategically located storage units. It could predict which supplies will be needed where and ensure they’re always available at the nearest location to each job site, significantly reducing transportation costs and improving job efficiency.

Wrapping it up

AI is not just a futuristic concept for electrical contractors – it’s a present reality with enormous potential for growth. As a business coaching firm for electricians and electrical contractors, we’re seeing real-world use and benefit for our clients. By embracing these AI tools and staying open to innovative applications, electrical contracting businesses can significantly enhance their efficiency, profitability, and competitive edge. I encourage you to explore how these AI applications can be integrated into your operations. The future of electrical contracting is smart, efficient, and AI-driven. Don’t wait for it.