Electrical Council of Florida News (blog)

The The AI tools Florida electrical contractors are actually using in 2026AI tools Florida electrical contractors are actually using in 2026

Cecily Millan — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:47:27 GMT

When people hear "AI," they picture something complicated. For an electrical shop, it's simpler than that. The tools worth your time aren't doing the wiring. They're answering the phone when you can't, writing up quotes faster, and keeping the schedule straight. The boring office stuff that eats your evenings.

Here's what Florida electrical contractors are actually putting to work this year, and what it runs.

The phone is the big one

You're up on a ladder or under a panel. The phone rings, you can't grab it, and that caller just dials the next electrician. An AI phone answers every time, in your shop's name, and texts you the details. Quo starts at $19 a month and is built for solo and small shops that need after-hours coverage. If you want it to also text back the missed calls and chase the lead, LeadTruffle runs about $229 a month. Podium is in the same lane at around $249 and leans hard on getting reviews out of happy customers. One after-hours call you'd have lost covers any of these for the month.

Quoting from a photo

Panel upgrades and EV charger installs mean a lot of quoting, and the quote you send tonight beats the one the other guy sends Thursday. QuoteIQ lets you quote from a photo in the field, starting around $30 a month. The point isn't fancy. It's getting the number in the customer's hands while they're still thinking about you.

Scheduling and dispatch

This is where most shops start, because it cleans up the whole day. Jobber runs about $49 a month and fits 1 to 15 trucks with a simple setup good for residential and light commercial. Housecall Pro is around $59 and rolls scheduling, invoicing, and customer texts into one place. It's the default a lot of small shops land on. Workiz is about $65 and adds built-in marketing for service-call shops.

If you're bigger

Running 20 or more trucks, commercial, multiple locations? ServiceTitan is the enterprise platform built for that, around $398 per user a month, and it takes a couple months to set up right. Worth it at scale, overkill for a two-truck shop.

How to start without the headache

Don't buy all of it. Pick the one thing that's costing you the most right now. For most shops that's the missed phone calls, so start there with the cheapest AI phone and run it for a month. If it pays for itself, and it usually does on one saved job, add the next piece. You do not have to figure out the wiring of these tools yourself either. There are local consultants who set them up for you.

If you want to see these laid out side by side, with what each one does and costs, the electrical page is here: https://theagenticaiindex.com/electrical.html. It's a free directory, no cost and no catch, and it lists local folks who can get any of this running for you.

House Bill 803 & House Bill 1175 signed into law effective July 1, 2026

Cecily Millan — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:36:29 GMT

HB 803 - Building Permits and Inspections

On May 7, 2026, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 803 into law. Effective July 1, 2026, the provisions related to the Florida Building Code (FBC), building permit requirements, and requirements related to inspections and private providers, are as follows:

Provides for a one-year expiration for building permits for single-family dwellings.

Provides building permit requirements for placement of manufactured housing in certain locations, including mobile home lots and single-family zoning districts.

Requires the Florida Building Commission to develop uniform commercial and residential building permit applications to be used statewide by July 1, 2027, that are, to the extent possible, capable of integrating with existing building permit software systems and accounts for local amendments to the FBC.

Provides limitations for the calculation of local government building inspection fees.

Requires local governments, except in flood hazard areas, to exempt from building permitting:

Work on single-family residential property valued at $7,500 or less, excluding any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work; and

The installation of temporary residential hurricane and flood walls meeting specified standards.

Requires issuance of a building permit for a retaining wall spanning more than one lot or parcel for the project as a whole.

Restricts local government glazing requirements for new commercial or mixed-use projects.

Requires a five-day response timeframe for permit applications for work valued at less than $15,000.

Prohibits homeowners’ associations from requiring the issuance of a building permit as a prerequisite for review of construction on a parcel.

As it relates to building code inspection and private provider services, the bill:

Requires the Department of Management Services to enter into state term contracts with vendors to provide building code inspection services.

Authorizes persons who meet minimum requirements to perform building inspection and plans examination services for 1 year following state of emergency declarations.

Requires a local government, rather than optionally allowing it, to establish a registration system for private providers and private provider firms operating in the local government’s jurisdiction.

Requires local governments to reduce commercial construction permit fees by specified percentages.

Substantially revises requirements related to private provider services, including:

Limitations on local government authority related to supervision and application reviews.

Requirements related to notifications related to applications and corrective actions.

Revisions of local government fee calculations when private provider services are used.

The full text of the law is available for review HERE.

Updates to the Florida Building Commission’s rulemaking can be found on the Building Code Information System (BCIS), or you can subscribe to the BCIS mailing list to get the latest updates on the rulemaking process straight to your inbox!

HB 1175 - Safety Design Standards for Office Surgery Suites

On May 22, 2026, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1175 into law. Effective July 1, 2027, newly created section 553.884, F.S., requires the Florida Building Commission and the State Fire Marshal to adopt specialized safety design standards that allow office surgery suites to provide services or treatments simultaneously for up to six patients on an outpatient basis. Such services or treatments include:

Treatment for patients that renders the patients incapable of taking action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without the assistance of others.

Anesthesia that renders the patients incapable of taking action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without the assistance of others.

Treatment for patients who, due to the nature of their injury or illness, are incapable of taking action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without the assistance of others.

However, the standards must be an alternative to existing ambulatory health care occupancy standards and defines “office surgery suite” as the portion of a physician’s office where surgery is performed.

The full text of the law is available for review HERE.

Updates to the Florida Building Commission’s rulemaking can be found on the Building Code Information System (BCIS), or you can subscribe to the BCIS mailing list to get the latest updates on the rulemaking process straight to your inbox!

DBPR

2601 Blair Stone Rd , Tallahassee, FL 32399

Senate Bill 290 signed into law effective July 1, 2026

Cecily Millan — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:32:43 GMT

On March 23, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290 into law. Effective July 1, 2026, the new law provides that:

The terms “subcontractor” and “supplier” have the same meaning as their definitions in section 558.002, F.S.

Licensed contractors are required to compensate subcontractors or suppliers for services, labor, or materials within 45 days after receiving payment or in accordance with the terms of the contract, unless there is a bona fide dispute regarding the amount due.

Licensed contractors who knowingly or willfully violate this requirement are subject to disciplinary proceedings as provided in section 489.129, F.S.

The full text of the law is available for review HERE.

DBPR

2601 Blair Stone Rd , Tallahassee, FL 32399

Statewide Clay Shoot - October 8, 2026

Cecily Millan — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:36:10 GMT

Click Here for more details or to register

Member Spotlight

Cecily Millan — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:28:46 GMT

Member Spotlight: David Yencarelli

Electrical Council of Florida

The Electrical Council of Florida is proud to spotlight David Yencarelli, Founder and leader of Tenax Electrical, and a driving force behind raising the standard of professionalism in Florida’s electrical industry.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, David is a licensed and credentialed electrical contractor based in Jacksonville, Florida. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to excellence, integrity, and advancing the trade beyond the “commoditized contractor” model. His philosophy is simple: elite service, white glove experiences, and consistent customer delight are not optional, they are the standard.

Building Tenax Electrical with Purpose

Tenax Electrical specializes in rapid 24 hour emergency support and complex technology integration for both high expectation homeowners and commercial leaders. Under David’s leadership, the company focuses on delivering:

True safety and code compliance
Future ready electrical systems
Advanced technology integration
An unmatched two year warranty
A culture of professionalism and reliability

Tenax clients receive elevated peace of mind and dependable service without the uncertainty and delays often associated with traditional providers.

David believes that professionalism is not marketing language, it is demonstrated daily through preparation, communication, accountability, and results.

Embracing AI to Strengthen the Workforce

Currently, David is leading Tenax Electrical into the future through thoughtful AI integration. From estimating and marketing to social media, customer service, and administration, AI is being implemented as a productivity multiplier, not a replacement for people.

His approach is clear: technology should enhance the ability of skilled professionals to solve complex problems faster and more effectively. By empowering team members with advanced tools, Tenax is increasing efficiency while maintaining its human centered service model.

A Philosophy Rooted in Action

One of David’s guiding principles is:

“Do not listen to what people say. Watch what they do. Behavior never lies.”

He believes consistent action reveals true character, intentions, and values. This mindset has shaped both his leadership style and the culture at Tenax Electrical. The focus is on measurable performance, accountability, and long term trust.

Community Focused Problem Solvers

At heart, David and his team are natural problem solvers. They are motivated by building, troubleshooting, and strengthening the community around them. Whether serving homeowners, commercial partners, or collaborating with other industry professionals, their mission is to help Jacksonville grow to its full potential.

Success for David is not individual. It is shared. He wants his team to succeed, his partners to succeed, and the entire region to thrive.

Beyond the Jobsite

Outside of work, David enjoys hunting, golf, sporting clays, spending time in St. Augustine, and traveling with friends. His passion for camaraderie, strategy, and performance carries from the field to the fairway and beyond.

The Electrical Council of Florida is honored to recognize David Yencarelli as a member who exemplifies leadership, innovation, and integrity in the electrical industry. His commitment to professionalism, technology advancement, and community impact reflects the very best of our trade.

Federated News Release

Cecily Millan — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:06:21 GMT

News Release

Lisa Hagenson

Association Risk Management Services

Federated Mutual Insurance Company

507-455-5118

lmhagenson@fedins.com

Federated Insurance® Introduces myTRAINING^SM Program to Support Risk Management and
Employee Training

Federated Insurance is proud to announce myTRAINING Program, a resource designed to simplify employee training while supporting risk management efforts for association members and their businesses.

Take The Stress Out Of Employee Training

myTRAINING Program provides businesses with a streamlined approach to planning, creating, and scheduling group training sessions. Recognizing that effective employee training is a key element of risk management, this program offers resources to help companies ensure their teams are equipped with the knowledge they need to work efficiently and safely.

With myTRAINING Program, users can choose from pre-designed programs that include industry-specific risk management guidance or develop custom training plans addressing unique needs. The program allows users to schedule monthly or quarterly sessions in advance, assign training responsibilities to team members, and track progress through downloadable attendance sheets. These resources aim to reduce the time and stress typically associated with managing employee training, with most programs created and assigned in 10 minutes or less.

Access More In mySHIELD®

Association member clients can access myTRAINING Program and other risk management resources in mySHIELD, Federated Insurance’s personalized digital platform for clients. Those new to mySHIELD can contact their local Federated® marketing representative to learn more.

At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®

About Federated Insurance

Founded in 1904, Federated Mutual Insurance Company is a national insurance and risk management organization that supports the property, casualty, and life insurance needs of clients in select industries. The organization has more than 500 recommendations from local, state, regional, and national associations and buying groups and is rated A+ (Superior) by industry analyst A.M. Best^®. At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours.^®