Hiring scorecard

Score the next contractor hire before payroll makes the business heavier.

This scorecard helps contractors decide whether the next hire should be a field tech, crew lead, estimator, dispatcher, admin, or project coordinator — and what to test before making an offer.

Take the hiring readiness score Save the scorecard Download first-hire checklist

Pipeline rule

Hire for the constraint, not the job title you saw another contractor post.

A plumber drowning in estimate callbacks may need dispatch before another tech. A roofer with crews waiting on decisions may need a project coordinator. A cleaner with churn may need a route lead who protects quality.

Name the revenue or capacity bottleneck.
Pick the role that removes that bottleneck fastest.
Score whether demand, margin, systems, and management can support the hire.
Build the interview around real trade situations, not generic culture questions.

Contractor hiring readiness score

1. Lead flowYou have enough qualified demand for the new hire to stay productive without cutting prices. 2. Margin roomPricing covers loaded labor cost, callbacks, drive time, tools, and management time. 3. Documented workThe job can be trained with checklists, photos, service notes, and quality standards. 4. Owner calendarThe hire removes a bottleneck from sales, production, admin, or scheduling. 5. Cash runwayYou can cover payroll through at least one slow month without starving marketing. 6. Manager capacitySomeone can inspect work, coach, handle misses, and protect customer experience.

Score

0 / 6 ready signals

Check the signals you can prove with numbers or written process.

Trade-specific hiring screening map

Use this to tailor your job post, phone screen, working interview, and first-30-days checklist to the work your team actually sells.

Trade cluster

Likely next role

Screen for

Trade cluster

Plumbing / HVAC / electrical

Likely next role

Licensed techs, apprentices, dispatch support

Screen for

License status, callbacks, after-hours rotation, customer communication, truck readiness

Trade cluster

Roofing / remodeling / general contractor

Likely next role

Crew lead, project coordinator, estimator

Screen for

Sub reliability, safety habits, change-order discipline, photo documentation, schedule ownership

Trade cluster

Landscaping / cleaning / painting

Likely next role

Crew lead, route lead, quality checker

Screen for

Route density, checklist use, rework rate, equipment care, repeat-customer communication

Trade cluster

Pest control / pool service / handyman

Likely next role

Route tech, helper, office coordinator

Screen for

License or certification needs, recurring-service notes, upsell judgment, review request habits

Build the pipeline

Use one scorecard per contractor role before posting the job.

Save the hiring scorecard → First employee guide → Calculate loaded labor cost →