5 factors that will change how electrical contractors work in 2026

While demand’s going to grow, the way you work – and have to work – is changing. Quickly.

Whether you feel it yet or not, things are changing out there – and those factors are going to increasingly affect the way you work in 2026. From the skills shortage to the increasing influence of AI, there are a number of factors that, as a business owner, you need to be on top of.

Here’s what you need to know.

The electrification of Australia and the skills shortage showdown

Now, we’re not in the business of getting political here. You know what they say about politics and religion. But whether you’re a flag waving advocate for net zero or think it’s the biggest swindle since, well, forever, one thing’s for certain. The demand for solar, batteries and home EV charging stations is increasing by the day. The Clean Energy Council forecasts we’ll need 32,000 additional sparkies to meet demand – so where does that leave you?

Quite simply, you need to be thinking about upskilling in areas you’re not overly familiar with – because solar, batteries and home EV stations are going to be in increasing demand.

Don’t wait for the competition to cotton on, get in there, get accredited and you instantly set yourself up to serve a high value, in-demand market segment.

And, if this is speaking your language, here at Gemcell we’ve created an E-BOOK to help you do just this. Click here to download your free copy.

AI and digital tools to automating your admin

Smart people in every sector are exploring AI to figure out just how to make it work for their own businesses – and you need to be among them.

Good news is, it doesn’t have to be scary, convoluted or anything else. Simply figure out a relatively repetitive task that could be automated, or brainstorm some possible ways it could help your business. It might be researching the best way to pitch to a new client, analysing feedback, or creating a series of social media posts about your new accreditation to install solar (hint, hint).

Your quoting, invoicing and job management should all be pretty automated by now, but if not get onto it pronto. This stuff is unnecessarily eating up your time, and you need every advantage you can get in 2026.

Making a commitment to exceeding customer expectations

Customers across the board are becoming increasingly expectant – and you can either rally against that or embrace it wholeheartedly.

For businesses that do embrace it, there’s a significant advantage to be gained. Go that extra mile. Respond to that message and email. Keep your customer updated if you’re going to be late. Follow up on the job. Send that quote. Because you wouldn’t believe the amount of businesses that don’t do the basics.

So get the basics happening, and then add on some enhancements too. You’ll be surprised at how quickly word gets around.

Rising costs and supply chain issues

It’s not news to anyone that the cost of pretty much everything – including labour – is on the up and up, and inflationary pressures on wages and compliance costs are still keeping overall construction expenses high.

Those supply chain issues are still impacting construction, so it’s essential you build up good relationships with a reliable independent Gemcell wholesaler,  who only uses brands you can trust. Gemcell wholesalers are like the Mounties – they’ll always get your products – so work closely with them and you can gain an even greater advantage over your unenlightened competitors.

Keeping your head – and your health – in order

This is a biggie for you and your team. The stats are frightening and you need to proactively look after yourself and your team. Mental health problems impact the business, yes – you’ll risk missed days and workers’ comp claims. That’s annoying, but it pales into insignificance with the human cost we see day in, day out.

Look, we don’t want to start 2026 on a downer – so let’s just all keep mental health in mind, and do what we can to create a mentally-healthy workplace. Do things for ourselves and for others that we know will help, and don’t be afraid to have a conversation. Talk. Please.

Getting ahead of the curve – and setting up for 2026 success

The electrical contracting business is facing a hell of a lot of change in 2026, but with the right knowledge, the right attitude and the right wholesale partner, those challenges can quickly turn into serious opportunities.