Idle time is the silent killer of profitability — especially in the trades. Every minute your crew waits for materials, tools, instructions, or access to a job site is money out of your pocket.

You may think your labor costs are fixed. But they’re not. If your crew is 20% idle, then your labor cost per job just increased by 20%.

The key is tightening coordination — between the office, vendors, and field teams. Material delays, unclear instructions, or last-minute rescheduling all contribute to wasted time and rising costs.

Even small adjustments — like morning huddles, job folders, or a better delivery schedule — can cut idle time and drive big gains.

Real World Mistake & Lesson:

A landscaping company had great crews but poor coordination. Jobs started late because materials weren’t on site or permits weren’t pulled. Once we implemented a simple pre-job checklist and weekly production planning, idle time dropped and labor efficiency rose by 18%.

 Pick up your free copy of my new book, “The 7 Minute Conversation-How to Hear the Story Your Small Business Financial Statements Are Telling You-CONTRACTOR EDITION”.  Go to www.7MinuteConversationBook.com

Ready to find out where your cash and profits are really going? Book your free 15-minute Profit and Cash Flow Call with me. No pressure. Just real clarity. I’ll help you see where your money’s hiding — and what to do about it. Schedule at www.CashFlowCallWithLarry.com