Profit Moves You Can Make Today

Hey Contractor Nation,

Do you want to boost profits without working more hours? Here are 3 simple but powerful moves contractors can make today to tighten up their numbers and protect their bottom line.

After 30 years in finance and reviewing over 10,000 P&Ls, I’ve noticed a few patterns—some costly, some powerful.

1️⃣ Guard your margins like your tools ⛏️

Your gross margin is more than just a number—
It tells you if you’re pricing jobs right, managing labor and materials effectively, or working for free without realizing it.

Tip: Compare your Gross Margin from your Estimating Bid to what actually shows up on your P&L. Oftentimes there is a big gap.

Example: A 2%-5% Gross Margin improvement for a $5 million revenue contractor can result in $100K-$250K directly to the bottom line!

💡Improving your GPM has a compounding effect that you'll never achieve by trying to save $$ on coffee and copier paper.

2️⃣ Track your P&L monthly—because surprises are for birthdays 🎂

Analyzing your P&L on a monthly basis will help you make more profitable decisions.

Tip: Develop a budget so you can compare your actual results to your budget. This is called "Variance Analysis" and it's a powerful tool.

Example: A Budget is your roadmap for this year. A Forecast is your roadmap for the next 3 years. How do you know where you are going in your business without a financial roadmap?

💡Most contractors under $20 million in revenue don't have a budget and that's a big mistake because a budget is your financial GPS to improved cash flow and profitability. Reach out to me if you want help here or join my Profit Blueprint Program.

3️⃣ Know your overhead breakeven—because hope is not a strategy 🙈

If you don’t know what it takes to cover your overhead every month, you’re flying blind.

Tip: Calculate your overhead breakeven and revisit it regularly. It’s the foundation of smart pricing and good decision-making.

Example: This is the minimum amount of revenue you have to collect (not bill) each month just to breakeven to $0.

💡Most of your costs are fixed, therefore, fixate on your Gross Profit Margin, and you'll immediately improve your break even.

Want to keep more of what you earn?

• It starts by mastering your numbers.

• Know them. Review them. Use them.

• Because Profit is not the same thing as Cash Flow. You can have profit on paper but very little cash in the bank. Ask me how I know!

Let me know which one of these three you’re going to start focusing on first. Just reply to this email—I read every response.

Until next week,

Patrick Shurney, MBA
Founder, 3P Consulting
📞 443.539.6276
🌐 www.3pcllc.com

Helping Contractors Get Their Finances Sorted

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About Me:

As a veteran in financial coaching with over 30 years of corporate banking experience, my mission is to empower Trade Contractors like you to become numbers confident, optimize cash flow, leverage debt, and pay yourself competitively.

Ready for More?

Here’s how I can help you:

1.     Profit Blueprint Program: Master your business numbers in just 30 days, uncovering hidden profits of $25K-$75K+ over the next 3-12 months.

2.     Loan Consulting: Need the best rates and terms on your next loan? With 30+ years of banking experience, I’ll make sure you get a deal that works for you.

Ready to take your financial strategy to the next level? Let’s connect and make sure you’re running a thriving business while paying yourself what you’re worth.