Episode 18: How Do I Fix My Profit Margin? | Cash Flow Series Part 2 of 6 episode artwork

EPISODE · May 4, 2026 · 14 MIN

Episode 18: How Do I Fix My Profit Margin? | Cash Flow Series Part 2 of 6

from Trade Finance in Ten by Mainstreet MEP™ · host Mainstreet MEP™

Your P&L says you're profitable, but do you know if each job is actually making money or how much your overhead is eating away at your net margin? In part two of our six-part cash flow series, we walk you step-by-step through checking your margins, and figuring out exactly how much revenue you need each month to cover overhead and hit your target net margin.This episode covers how to verify if your cost of goods sold (COGS) is set up correctly, why owner field time belongs in your direct labor costs, how flat rate pricing books may not always be right, when to renegotiate with your supply house, and the breakeven math every contractor should know — including the real cost of every overhead dollar.If you've ever wondered how many jobs it takes to keep the lights on and make a profit, this episode gives you the formulas.Coming up in this series:Part 3 — Getting Paid Faster (billing discipline, collections, deposits, and customer financing)Part 4 — Spending Smarter (vendor terms, job budgeting, and cash outflow timing)Part 5 — Seasonal Cash Flow: Building the Bridge (peaks, valleys, and planning ahead)Part 6 — Funding Growth Without Breaking Your Cash Flow (reserves, lines of credit, and working capital)According to SCORE, 82% of small businesses that fail cite cash flow as a factor. This series gives you the steps to help make sure yours isn't one of them.Trade Finance in Ten is powered by MainStreet MEP™. New episodes every Monday.Now available: The Mainstreet MEP Command Center™ weekly Friday financial dashboards (even if you're not a Fractional CFO client) - $249 a month and listeners can use coupon code "numbers" to get $50 off setup. Visit ⁠https://myhvacoffice.com/weekly-flash-dashboard/⁠ to learn more.Or book a free consultation, or take a free assessment by heading over to ⁠https://myhvacoffice.com

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Episode 18: How Do I Fix My Profit Margin? | Cash Flow Series Part 2 of 6

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