$20M Roofer Ranks the MOST Profitable Trades for 2026

Guest: Tony Vincent — Owner, Ultimate Roofing | Ultimate Properties | Ultimate Tree Service | Ultimate Equipment Rentals Guest Links: Website: https://getultimateroofing.com | Facebook: Ultimate Roofing WVTony Vincent runs four businesses out of West Virginia and has built Ultimate Roofing into a $20 million operation with 100+ employees across 5 states, while quietly stacking $9 million in heavy equipment and 70 rental properties on the side. In this episode, he ranks the most lucrative home service industries for 2026, breaks down why he stopped chasing top-line revenue at 16% net, and pulls back the curtain on the systems that let him manage 100 people without losing his mind. The conversation also dives into the financing playbook that gets him to 90% financed jobs, why blown-in insulation and gutter guards are the secret weapons for landing premium roofs, and how a single $1 door hanger incentive turns laborers into canvassers.You'll learn:Tony's ranked list of the most lucrative home service businesses for 2026Why tree service has 75-80% GP and is one of the best businesses to add to roofingThe "less saturated = more lucrative" rule for picking your next tradeWhy he killed the fencing offshoot after 100 jobsThe 5-or-6-manager hierarchy that lets him run 100 employees from a distanceWhy titles motivate people more than monetary compensationThe low-base, high-KPI compensation structure used on every single employeeHow a $1 per door hanger incentive generates real referral jobsWhy he stopped chasing $50M revenue and dialed in at $20M with 16% netThe "control the supply chain" rule that drove his decision to drop fencing, gutters, soffit, fascia, doorsWhy his ad spend is $80K on Google for roofing vs $1K for equipment rentalsHow to use Service Finance for 90% financed jobs (and why Foundation is the wrong primary)The "what's your budget look like?" frame that closes more roofs like car salesWhy blown-in insulation and gutter guards at zero margin land $25K roofsThe 55% close rate that comes from giving away promotional itemsWhy most contractors should be financing every job over $10,000How his real estate portfolio (70 properties) became his retirement plan after stocks