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ProTradeHQ publishes business guides for trade service owners. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, general contractors, landscapers. If you run a crew and want practical advice on pricing, marketing, hiring, and operations, this is the site.
We don't publish generic small business content. No motivational quotes, no "10 habits of successful entrepreneurs." Just the specific stuff that helps trade businesses make more money and run with less chaos.
Who this is for
- check_circle You own or run a trade service business (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general contracting, landscaping, painting, roofing)
- check_circle You have 1 to 10 employees, or you're solo and planning to grow
- check_circle Your revenue is somewhere between $100K and $2M per year
- check_circle You want specific, practical advice, not generic content that applies to every industry
- check_circle You're past the "should I start a business" stage and want to run yours better
Pick your situation
Find what matches where you are right now. Start with those articles.
"I need more customers"
You're good at your trade but the phone isn't ringing enough. You want more leads without burning money on ads that don't work.
- How to get more customers as a contractor
The acquisition channels that work, ranked by cost and ROI
- How to get construction leads
Lead sources for residential and commercial work
"I'm losing money on jobs"
Jobs feel busy but the bank account doesn't match. Margins are thin and you're not sure why. Pricing is the most common culprit.
- How to price a job as a contractor
The pricing formula that covers overhead, labor, and margin
- Flat rate vs hourly pricing
Which model actually pays better (with real numbers)
- How to raise your prices
When and how to increase rates without losing customers
"I can't find good people"
You need help but hiring feels risky. You're not sure whether to bring on W-2 employees or use 1099 subs, and finding reliable people is hard.
- How to hire your first employee
When to hire, what it costs, and how to find the right person
- W-2 vs 1099: which structure is right
Legal, tax, and practical differences explained
"My operations are chaos"
Double-booked jobs, no-shows, missed follow-ups. You're running the business from your phone and it's getting out of hand.
- How to reduce no-shows
The confirmation sequence that cuts cancellations
- Best scheduling software for contractors
Real comparison of Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, and more
"I want better software and tools"
You know you need software to run things better but you're not sure what's worth paying for. You want honest reviews, not affiliate-driven lists.
- Best apps for contractors (by job type)
Scheduling, invoicing, job costing, CRM, and communication apps
- Contractor CRM software breakdown
Which CRM fits your trade and business size
- Free tools and calculators
Job pricing calculator, markup calculator, hourly rate calculator
Most popular guides
How to price a job as a contractor (the formula that actually works)
The real pricing formula with a worked example for a water heater replacement. Covers overhead, margin, and the math behind profitable pricing.
How to get more customers as a contractor
Which lead generation channels produce the best results per dollar. Google Business Profile, LSAs, referrals, and more, ranked by what actually works.
Flat rate vs hourly pricing: which one pays better
One pricing model consistently earns more for the same work. The numbers behind both approaches, and when each makes sense.
Best scheduling software for contractors in 2026
Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, Workiz. What each costs, which trades they fit, and what to test before subscribing.
How to hire your first employee as a contractor
The real cost of your first hire, where to find reliable people, and the legal requirements you need to handle before day one.
Best apps for contractors in 2026 (by job type)
The apps worth paying for, broken down by what you actually need help with: scheduling, invoicing, job costing, CRM.
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About ProTradeHQ
ProTradeHQ publishes business guides for trade service owners. Every article is reviewed by licensed contractors and tested against real numbers. We don't accept sponsored placements or publish pay-to-rank software reviews.
The content is vendor-neutral. When we recommend a tool, it's because it works, not because someone paid us to say so. Read more about our editorial standards.