The Trade Traction Podcast with Dennis The Apprentice

Billable Rate Vs. Hourly Rate - Which One Makes You Money?


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Are you a plumbing contractor tired of working for free?

Welcome to Trade Traction — the podcast dedicated to helping plumbing contractors finally turn a profit and build the company they once dreamed of.

In this episode, we break down one of the biggest mistakes in the plumbing business: confusing revenue with profit. Just because you wrote an invoice doesn’t mean you made money. If you’re not factoring in truck costs, fuel, insurance, inefficiency, material shrinkage, your salary, and real profit… you could be running hard and still going broke.

We dive deep into:

  • Why most plumbing companies aren’t actually profitable
  • The truth about hourly rates vs. billable hourly rate
  • How to properly calculate your plumbing pricing
  • Why profit is your responsibility as a business owner
  • Hidden costs you must include in your service rates
  • The mindset shift needed to charge what you’re worth
  • How to stop undercharging for plumbing services
  • Why service plumbing is inherently inefficient (and how to price for it)
  • How to build a profitable plumbing company that supports your family and your team

If you’re a plumbing business owner struggling with low margins, pricing your services, managing overhead, or figuring out how to make real money in the trades — this episode is for you.

It’s time to stop the “commotion” — all the busy work with nothing to show for it — and start building a plumbing company that actually produces profit.

Because profit isn’t optional.
 It’s your responsibility.

Subscribe to Trade Traction for practical, no-fluff strategies on:
✔ Plumbing business growth
✔ Service pricing strategy
✔ Increasing plumbing profit margins
✔ Building systems in your trade business
✔ Leadership for contractors
✔ Escaping the cycle of working harder for less

Let’s stop working for free and finally build the company you dreamed about when you started.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – The Revenue Lie: Why Your Last Invoice Doesn’t Mean Profit
 02:10 – Why 8 Out of 10 Plumbing Companies Aren’t Making Money
 04:35 – The Problem with Hourly Rates in Service Plumbing
 07:15 – Billable Hourly Rate Explained for Contractors
 10:05 – What You’re NOT Including in Your Pricing
 13:40 – Why You Must Charge for What You Want (Not What You Have)
 16:25 – Trucks, Tools & The True Cost of Service Calls
 19:10 – Why Plumbing Is Inherently Inefficient
 21:30 – Understanding Customer Value vs. Your Perception
 24:15 – The Art of Presenting Options & Pricing
 26:40 – Stop Working for Free & Start Building Profit

If you’re ready to turn your plumbing business into a profitable, sustainable company, hit Subscribe and join us every week on Trade Traction.

#PlumbingBusiness #PlumbingContractor #ServiceBusiness #TradeBusiness #PlumbingLife #ContractorSuccess #SmallBusinessGrowth #PlumbingPricing #BlueCollarBusiness

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.

Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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The Trade Traction Podcast with Dennis The ApprenticeBy Dennis The Apprentice