Hardscape Growth How to Protect Your Profit: Update Your Rates & Track Your Hours
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Dec 23, 2025 Discover the two overlooked habits that drain profits from hardscape contractors: outdated budgets and untracked hours. Learn why regular budget reviews are crucial and how poor tracking inflates costs. The episode emphasizes the importance of solid spreadsheets and how tracking hours can refine pricing strategies. Gain insights on maintaining price confidence amidst lead scarcity and the significance of professional communication in winning bids. Plus, explore a budgeting tool that simplifies cost calculations!
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Calculate And Update Your True Hourly Rate
- Calculate every annual expense and divide by realistic billable hours to find your overhead recovery per hour.
- Add crew wages and desired profit to that number to set a defensible hourly rate.
Outdated Budgets Steal Profit
- A one-time budget done in winter becomes worthless as costs change through the year.
- Regular reviews stop small changes from compounding into large annual profit loss.
Schedule Regular Budget Reviews
- Schedule non-negotiable budget reviews (monthly, quarterly, or twice a year) and use clear line-item categories.
- Recalculate remaining billable hours and adjust pricing mid-season when totals change.