Episode notes
Most contractors think adding more trucks, more people, and more trades automatically means more money. It doesn't. In this episode of Home Service Roundtable, we sit down with Derek Cormier to talk about what it actually takes to build a scalable home service business. From recruiting and training to leadership, culture, pricing, sales, and knowing when you're ready to add another trade, Derek breaks down the lessons he's learned from making plenty of mistakes along the way. We talk about:
- Why many technicians misunderstand how much money home service companies actually make
- Why mastering a trade takes years instead of weeks
- How Derek built a month-long apprenticeship and training program
- Why culture fit matters just as much as experience when hiring
- How to train technicians before putting them in a truck
- Why understanding truck and technician economics creates better pricing buy-in
- How career paths and clear expectations help employees grow
- Why spending more time in the home can lead to higher close rates
- How rushing through service calls can leave revenue on the table
- Why options should come from properly diagnosing the homeowner, house, and system
- The difference between being a salesperson and actually solving the customer's problem
- Why contractors shouldn't add another trade before mastering the one they already have
- How owners can stop becoming the bottleneck in their own business
- Why leaders need to teach their teams how to solve problems instead of solving everything themselves
- How intentional culture and accountability can strengthen a team
- Why the trades remain one of the biggest career opportunities available today
If you're building an HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or other home service business, this conversation is packed with lessons on how to grow without creating bigger problems along the way. Watch the full episode and learn what it really takes to build a team, develop great technicians, and scale a home service business the right way.