Blog
Playbooks for growing a home service business.
Pricing, estimating, scheduling and getting paid, with worked numbers and sources. Written for owners, GMs and office managers.
- Pricing
- Getting paid
- Marketing
- Hiring
- Scheduling
- Estimating
- Memberships
- Seasonality
Pricing
Flat rate vs time and materials: which pricing should your service business use?
Flat rate vs time and materials for plumbing, electrical and HVAC: pros and cons, how to build a flat-rate price, when T&M fits better, and hybrid options.
9 min read
Getting paid
How much deposit should a contractor ask for? State caps, schedules and how to collect
How much deposit should a contractor ask for? State deposit caps (CA, MD, MA), progress payment schedules, a worked $18,000 example, and how to collect.
9 min read
Pricing
How much to charge for sealcoating (driveways and parking lots)
How much to charge for sealcoating, with per-square-foot pricing, sealer coverage math, crack fill per linear foot, minimums and two worked examples.
9 min read
Marketing
How to get more Google reviews for your contracting business
How to get more Google reviews as a contractor: find your review link, ask at the right moment, use proven text and email scripts, and follow FTC rules.
9 min read
Hiring
How to hire HVAC technicians (and keep them past the first summer)
How to hire HVAC technicians: where to find them, EPA 608 checks, ride-along interviews, pay plans, a 90-day onboarding plan and what an empty truck costs.
9 min read
Pricing
How to price HVAC jobs so every call makes money
How to price HVAC jobs step by step: loaded labor cost, overhead per billable hour, markup vs margin, parts markup, and worked repair and replacement prices.
8 min read
Scheduling
How to reduce no-shows for home service appointments
How to reduce no-shows when customers aren't home or cancel last minute: reminder timing, arrival windows, on-my-way texts, trip charges and easy rescheduling.
8 min read
Estimating
How to write a painting estimate (with a worked room example)
How to write a painting estimate: measure walls, figure gallons and labor hours, add overhead and profit, and write the scope, exclusions and terms.
9 min read
Memberships
HVAC maintenance agreement pricing: how to set a plan price that pays
HVAC maintenance agreement pricing from the ground up: cost a tune-up visit, add the member discount, hit a target margin and set monthly vs annual prices.
7 min read
Seasonality
Running a landscaping business in winter: cash flow, services and spring pre-sales
How to run a landscaping business in winter: plan cash for the slow months, add off-season services, pre-sell spring work and keep your best crew coming back.
9 min read
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