Why 2026 Will Separate Software-Fluent Electrical Contractors From the Rest

By Patrick Hayes, General Manager at Contractor Training Center by Colibri Group

For electrical contractors, technical skill has always been the starting point. Licensing, code compliance, and field experience are non-negotiable. If the work isn’t safe and correct, nothing else matters.

What has changed is everything that happens around that work — how jobs are bid, how projects are tracked, and how performance is communicated once crews are on site.

At Contractor Training Center, we recently completed a survey of more than 600 industry professionals that sheds light on that shift. About 32% of respondents are already using, or actively planning to use, AI or machine-learning tools. A similar share has adopted project management software. At the same time, more than half (56%) say they struggle to find time for training alongside active workloads.

Taken together, the data describes an industry moving faster than its workforce can comfortably adapt. Technology adoption is accelerating, but contractor readiness is not keeping pace. For electrical contractors, that gap is becoming a competitive fault line that will increasingly determine who wins work and who struggles to keep pace in 2026.

Adoption is rising faster than readiness

Software is no longer limited to back-office efficiency. Estimating platforms, digital takeoff tools, project management systems, and accounting software now play a direct role in how quickly bids are submitted, how clearly scope is defined, and how effectively projects are tracked once underway.

Our survey data shows that many contractors are already leaning into these tools. Nearly one in three is engaging with AI-driven or machine-learning tools, while a similar proportion has integrated project management software into daily operations. These early adopters are not necessarily better electricians in the field, but they are better aligned with how work is now awarded and managed.

The problem is that most contractors remain time-constrained. When more than half of the workforce says they can’t easily fit training into their schedules, software education often gets pushed aside. Over time, that creates a widening divide between those who can confidently use new tools and those who are still figuring them out.

Why electrical contractors feel this pressure sooner

Electrical work is uniquely exposed to coordination pressure. Tight schedules, layered trades, detailed documentation, and frequent changes all put a premium on clear communication and fast updates. Owners and general contractors increasingly expect real-time visibility into progress, costs, and issues.

The data suggests electrical contractors already understand the value of education. On average, they spend about $1,107 on exam preparation and another $571 annually on continuing education — right around the industry norm. First-time exam pass rates sit at 60%, above the broader average, pointing to disciplined preparation and strong technical foundations.

What this investment doesn’t fully address is how work is managed after the license is earned. Licensing confirms competence and safety, but it doesn’t teach contractors how to navigate digital bid platforms, manage cloud-based schedules, or translate job data into clear reporting. As more projects rely on these systems, that gap becomes more noticeable.

Software is reshaping how bids are won

The influence of software shows up most clearly during bidding. Estimating and takeoff tools reduce manual work and speed up turnaround times. Project management platforms keep drawings, schedules, and communications in one place. Accounting and job-costing systems help flag margin issues before they become expensive surprises.

For electrical contractors chasing commercial or multi-site work, these tools increasingly act as a signal. Professionals who respond quickly, document assumptions clearly, and demonstrate control over costs and timelines are simply easier to evaluate. And, ultimately, easier to select.

Those without these systems aren’t losing work because they lack skill. More often, they’re slower to respond or harder to assess, which becomes a disadvantage as bid volumes grow and timelines tighten.

Time, not resistance, is the real bottleneck

Despite growing awareness of software tools, the 56% training time constraint remains the biggest obstacle. Most electrical contractors can’t afford to pull crews off active jobs for long training sessions without cutting into revenue.

Traditional training models don’t help much here. Long, infrequent sessions are hard to schedule and even harder to retain, especially when software platforms change quickly. What often follows is partial adoption without full confidence. Tools are purchased, but not always used to their full potential.

The data suggests this isn’t about contractors avoiding training. When the value is clear, they commit time and money. What’s harder is finding training approaches that fit into the flow of work, rather than competing with it.

Where electrical contractors stand in 2026

In 2026, software fluency is no longer a differentiator for electrical contractors; it is part of the baseline. Those that pair strong licensing outcomes with practical, day-to-day comfort using software are better positioned to win work, manage projects efficiently, and communicate clearly throughout the job lifecycle.

Contractors who have delayed this shift are unlikely to vanish overnight. More often, they will experience slower growth, tighter margins, and fewer opportunities to compete for complex or higher-value projects.

The data makes the direction unmistakable. Technology adoption is already happening across the industry. What remains unresolved is whether training approaches are evolving fast enough to close the readiness gap before it becomes a permanent competitive divide.

About the Author

Patrick Hayes is General Manager at Contractor Training Center by Colibri Group, an online platform that has helped thousands of professionals in construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more achieve their licensing goals.