5 Things To Check Off Before You Tools Down Before The Holidays

Before you officially set the tools down, there are a few important things that can help make your break smoother and help you hit the ground running in the new year. 

Here are the top five things every trade or service business should do before clocking off.

 

1. Update Your Holiday Hours Everywhere (Not Just Google)

While updating your Google Business Profile is a must, that's only the start. Your customers are likely to check multiple places to confirm whether you're open, especially with hours in flux over the holidays. 

Where to Update:
  • Google Business Profile
  • Your website (banner + contact page)
  • Facebook + Instagram
  • LinkedIn (if relevant)
  • Voicemail greeting
  • Email auto-reply
  • Any directories you’re listed on
  • Your booking system or calendar
Why it Matters?

Customers experiencing an emergency, whether that's a leak, electrical faults, blocked drains, broken heat pumps, will often call the first business they find with clear, up-to-date hours and availability.

A quick update could be the difference between a missed job and new customers. 

 

2. Set Up Your Emergency or After-Hours Plan

Some businesses stay open for urgent callouts while others shut completely, either way your customers need clarity on what's happening.

If You’re Offering Emergency Services:
  • List your emergency/on-call number
  • Specify callout fees or holiday surcharges
  • Set expectations around wait times
  • Make sure your on-call person has everything they need (vehicle, tools, phone)
If You’re Not Offering Emergency Support:
  • Update your voicemail
  • Set email and text auto-replies
  • Provide guidance (e.g., “If this is a plumbing emergency, isolate your water at the mains”)

Tip: Add this to your holiday-hours graphic so customers don’t need to dig for the info.

 

3. Prepare Your Jobs Pipeline for the New Year

January can become overwhelming if you don’t set things up before the break, set yourself up for success with a little bit of planning. 

Before you finish up:
  • Block out unavailable dates in your booking calendar
  • Confirm job start dates for existing customers
  • Send reminders for early-January appointments
  • Tag or group “follow-up” and “in-progress” jobs in your system
  • Create templates for the first quotes and messages you’ll send in January

 

4. Clean, Restock & Reset Your Tools, Vehicles or Equipment

It might be simple, but there's nothing better than coming back to a clean, tidy and organised workspace.

Before you clock off, check:
  • Tools are cleaned, sorted, and stored properly
  • Vans/work vehicles are cleared out
  • Consumables are restocked (green tags, screws, fittings, gloves, masks, bulbs, etc.)
  • Equipment is serviced or booked in for early January
  • Spare parts are ordered for the first jobs of the new year
  • Site equipment (scaffolding, signage, temp fencing) is secured safely if left over the break

 

By taking a few hours to set yourself up for the new year, you'll be able to hit the ground running when you return. Nothing beats a smooth return! If you want to make 2026 even smoother, get in touch with us to see how we can help!