Behind the Numbers: How Trade Specialists Deliver Real Savings for Facilities Teams

Facilities leaders are under constant pressure to stretch budgets while keeping every location running smoothly. Rising labor costs, unpredictable repairs, and leaner teams can make it feel like the only constant is figuring out how to do more with less.

That’s where reliable expertise earns its keep. The ServiceChannel Trade Specialist team works behind the scenes, reviewing proposals line by line, pressure-testing costs, and helping clients make more informed, data-backed decisions. The payoff is practical and measurable: real savings, less time spent second-guessing, and fewer problems cascading downstream.

Turning expertise into tangible savings

In 2025, the Trade Specialist team generated more than $2.3 million in potential savings for ServiceChannel Managed clients. This includes about $1.7 million in direct savings from proposals that the expert team negotiated down or rescoped, plus an additional $560,000 in indirect savings. (Indirect savings represent the value of hours spent on proposal reviews, calculated using the industry average hourly rate for a seasoned facility or program manager.)

To put that into perspective, the $1.7 million in direct savings represents a 26% reduction from the original proposal costs. That’s nearly one-quarter of spend avoided through expert negotiation and scope refinement.

Here’s how it works. Every proposal that comes through the queue is analyzed by specialists who have decades of experience across HVAC/R, electrical, plumbing, kitchen equipment, and general maintenance. When something doesn’t look right — it could be an inflated parts list, excessive labor hours, or a repair that costs more than the equipment is worth — they flag it.

Instead of focusing on minor discrepancies, the team prioritizes the most impactful opportunities. These are typically large repairs and recurring maintenance jobs where a few questions or a single negotiation can yield thousands in savings. When necessary, they’ll reject or revise a proposal, working directly with providers to ensure fair market rates that make sense for both sides.

Clients are then able to redirect their savings toward preventative maintenance, capital projects, or other strategic initiatives. As Tony Johnson, Trade Manager at ServiceChannel, puts it: “Our job is to save clients money and give them their time back. We do both every day.”

Expertise when it matters most

The team brings decades of trade knowledge and that depth of expertise matters. A trade specialist knows how long a repair should take, what a part should cost, and when a replacement is the smarter long-term investment. They can spot “scope creep,” verify compliance with OEM parts and warranty requirements, and catch issues that might otherwise lead to costly callbacks.

This level of hands-on knowledge isn’t theoretical — it makes a tangible difference for facilities leaders facing real challenges.

After a round of company layoffs, one facilities director at a national outdoor retailer found themselves managing operations solo. “I became the sole staff member managing a heavy workload, which was incredibly challenging,” they shared. “Knowing that proposals are being reviewed by experts with over 25 years of industry experience gave me peace of mind.”  This client’s experience highlights the importance of trusted partnerships during times of organizational strain.

Creating space for strategic thinking

Trade Specialists collaborate with program managers, facility coordinators, and clients to make every decision easier. Most reviews happen automatically in the background, but when an urgent quote comes in or a complex issue needs attention, the team is just a message away.

Every partnership is built on trust and clients rely on the Trade Specialist team’s recommendations, knowing they’re grounded in real-world experience and the shared goal of protecting the budget while keeping operations on track.

This relationship gives facilities leaders room to think more strategically. Instead of spending hours combing through line-item proposals — checking whether parts are fairly priced, debating labor breakdowns, or cross-referencing scopes for unexpected work — they can focus on longer-term improvements, influencing business priorities, supporting growth across locations, and ensuring the physical environment delivers on what the brand promises.

It’s the difference between reacting to every estimate and steering the program with confidence, knowing the details are being handled by people who understand the trades inside and out.

Turning expertise into impact

The Trade Specialist team’s work captures the value of ServiceChannel Managed, helping facilities perform at their best through expert guidance, clear insights, and disciplined cost control.

When facilities leaders combine their on-the-ground knowledge with the team’s trade expertise, they unlock more than savings. They gain a partner committed to making every decision smarter and every day more efficient.