How to LOSE Money on Every Job

Re-evaluate your pricing: Charging an extremely low hourly rate for a crew, like $75 for three people, is unsustainable and will lead to losing money as you scale. Aim for an hourly rate per person that is at least three times their wage.

Increase perceived value, not just lower price: If customers are rejecting higher prices, focus on improving your brand's value through a professional website, strong online reviews, and clear communication of your quality.

Owners should remain active in operations until significant revenue is reached: For businesses under $500,000 in revenue, the owner being 'off the truck' and having multiple administrative and managerial staff can make the business top-heavy and unprofitable.

Optimize your Google Business Profile: Verify a physical address (ideally central to your target service area), accumulate at least 30 positive Google reviews, and regularly post updates and respond to all reviews (using AI tools for efficient, SEO-friendly responses).

Tailor your marketing to attract desired leads: If you want bigger or different types of jobs, your website and marketing materials must visually reflect those services to attract the right customers.

Implement effective hiring and onboarding systems: Develop a reliable process for hiring and training employees quickly, and maintain a bench of qualified candidates to avoid hiring too early and creating costly excess capacity.

Consider the 'boil the puddle' marketing strategy: For farming specific neighborhoods, use a multi-pronged approach (direct mail, door hangers, yard signs) within a concentrated area to maximize density and profitability before expanding.