Key Findings
- 263 contractors analyzed across 28+ cities
- Average AI Trust Score: 37/100 (median: 33)
- Only 4.9% of contractors score above 70 (excellent visibility)
- 2% have structured data (JSON-LD), meaning 98% are invisible to AI assistants
- 70% have a website listed
Score Distribution
The majority of contractors in Nova Scotia fall in the lower score ranges. This reflects a market where most businesses haven't optimized their online presence for AI discovery.
Score Distribution: Nova Scotia
Web Presence & AI Readability
70%
Have a Website
2%
Have JSON-LD
Top Performing Cities
These cities have the highest average AI Trust Scores in Nova Scotia, indicating contractors in these markets are more likely to be found by AI assistants.
Top Cities by Avg Score: Nova Scotia
| City | Businesses | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lantz | 5 | 41.6 |
| Halifax | 88 | 40.4 |
| Mount Uniacke | 37 | 39.2 |
| Falmouth | 10 | 37.6 |
| Shubenacadie | 6 | 37.5 |
| Lunenburg | 13 | 36.7 |
| Windsor | 32 | 34.7 |
| Elmsdale | 12 | 32.6 |
| Enfield | 7 | 30.9 |
| East Hants | 22 | 30.8 |
Hiring in Nova Scotia?
By Industry Vertical
Different contractor types show distinct patterns in AI visibility. HVAC lead with an average score of 44.7. Foundation lag at 36.8.
| Vertical | Count | Avg Score | % Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers | 33 | 32.2 | 3% |
| Electricians | 29 | 32.6 | 3.4% |
| HVAC | 53 | 44.7 | 13.2% |
| Roofers | 10 | 37.8 | 10% |
| Painters | 1 | 58 | 0% |
| Landscapers | 16 | 34.2 | 0% |
| General Contractors | 20 | 32.3 | 0% |
| Foundation | 8 | 36.8 | 0% |
Performance Gap
The gap between top performers and the rest tells a clear story: the top 10% of contractors in Nova Scotia score 73.6 on average, with 48 reviews. The bottom 50% average just 24.5 with 8 reviews. That's a 6.3x difference in reviews alone.
Methodology
This report analyzes 263 contractor business listings in Nova Scotia. Each business is scored on three dimensions: Identity (business presence verification), Legitimacy (ratings, reviews, and credentials), and Readability (structured data for AI systems). Scores are capped at 100. Data is sourced from Google Maps and business websites, refreshed regularly.