As the owner of a long-standing restoration business in Palm Beach County, Bradley Vercosa is raising his voice in support of small, local businesses in the trades and essential service industries across South Florida. From electricians and plumbers to mold remediators and general contractors, Vercosa says these businesses form the backbone of local communities—but face growing pressure from out-of-state corporations, rising operational costs, and shrinking visibility.
“The trades are being squeezed out,” says Vercosa, owner of SuperClean Restoration of The Palm Beaches LLC. “Local service workers are losing ground to national chains with marketing budgets ten times the size. Meanwhile, the guy who lives down the street, who actually knows your neighborhood, can’t compete.”
Local Trades Keep South Florida Running
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 600,000 tradespeople work across Florida. In South Florida alone, thousands of small businesses provide vital services like HVAC repair, electrical work, carpentry, and water damage restoration. Yet many of these operations remain underfunded and under-recognized.
“Most of us don’t have investors or PR firms,” Vercosa explains. “We rely on community trust and word of mouth. If people stop calling us, we disappear.”
With inflation pushing up material and fuel costs, many small operators struggle to maintain margins. For restoration businesses like Vercosa’s, equipment replacement and insurance overheads eat away at revenue.
“You need a van, drying systems, protective gear, licenses—and all of that costs more every year,” he says. “We’re working hard just to break even.”
Why It Matters: Skills, Jobs, and Community Resilience
When local trades disappear, so does local resilience. Vercosa notes that during hurricanes or emergencies, it’s usually local service providers who respond first—not big companies headquartered in other states.
“During storms, I’ve cleaned homes in Port St. Lucie, Miami, Broward—you name it,” Vercosa says. “People didn’t have time to wait for someone flying in next week. They needed someone who could get there now.”
Supporting trades also means preserving local jobs. Many trades are among the few remaining career paths that offer hands-on work and financial stability without requiring a college degree. But fewer young people are entering the field.
“We need to stop looking down on trades,” Vercosa says. “They’re skilled jobs. You fix things, you solve problems. That’s real work.”
What the Public Can Do
Instead of asking for funding or political change, Vercosa is encouraging individual action. “You don’t need to wait for policy changes to support small businesses,” he says. “You can start today.”
Here’s what you can do:
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Hire local first: When something breaks, find a nearby service provider—not just the first Google ad.
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Leave reviews: A positive review online makes a huge impact on visibility.
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Refer friends: Word-of-mouth recommendations are still the most powerful tool for local businesses.
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Talk to your kids: Encourage young people to consider trade careers. They’re needed more than ever.
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Buy from people, not platforms: If you can, skip the apps and connect directly with local businesses.
“It’s not just about money—it’s about relationships,” Vercosa says. “When you hire a small business, you’re helping your neighbor, not a boardroom.”
About Bradley Vercosa
Bradley Vercosa has worked in disaster restoration for over 30 years. He owns SuperClean Restoration of The Palm Beaches LLC, based in Wellington, Florida, and has served the region through hurricanes, floods, and post-9/11 recovery efforts. A long-time advocate for skilled trades, Vercosa continues to support grassroots business development in his local community.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Bradley Vercosa
Email: Send Email
City: Wellington
State: Florida
Country: United States
Website: https://www.bradleyvercosaflorida.com/
