Inner Circle
Join Inner CircleJoin
← Back to Library
Content

Are You Losing Money on Every Service Call? | CFC 282

📅 November 20, 2025 ⏱️ 19:48 🎤 Martin Holland

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Profitability in Service
    The hosts introduce the challenge of tracking profitability in a mixed service and installation department.
  • 1:47
    Service vs. Install
    The discussion focuses on the fundamental differences between installation and service roles, and why they should be separate.
  • 5:26
    Outsourcing & Damages
    The hosts address issues related to outsourcing installations and handling damages on job sites.
  • 7:40
    Underpricing Service Calls
    A personal anecdote highlights the common issue of underpricing service calls in the industry.
  • 11:26
    Charging for Service
    The hosts deliberate on appropriate pricing strategies for service calls, aiming for profitability.
  • 13:41
    Separate Service Department
    The main recommendation is to treat the service department as a distinct, profitable entity.
  • 19:17
    Avoid Loss Leaders
    The episode concludes with a strong warning against treating service as a loss leader to attract other business.
  • 29:08
    Know Your Costs
    The key takeaway is the absolute necessity of understanding and accurately calculating business costs.

Speakers

M
Martin Holland
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Separate your service department from installation to accurately track profitability and optimize operations.

✦

Price your service calls to reflect the true cost, including technician salaries, vehicle expenses, and overhead, aiming for a significant profit margin.

✦

Do not treat your service department as a 'loss leader'; ensure it is a self-sustaining, profitable part of your business.

✦

Implement clear job roles and dedicated teams for service and installation, as they require different skill sets and customer focus.

✦

Understand that service work often involves variable scope and troubleshooting, so pricing should account for this inherent unpredictability.

✦

Leverage existing customer relationships by proactively offering service to other clients in the same area.

✦

Regularly review and adjust your service pricing based on demand, market rates, and your actual operating costs to remain competitive and profitable.

Want the full experience?

Join the Inner Circle for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Inner Circle →
POWER100

Inner Circle Membership Portal © 2026 Power100. All rights reserved.

power100.io