https://kellyclaiborne.com/blogOperations notes for contractors and service business owners.en-ushttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/why-your-pl-does-not-show-job-profithttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/why-your-pl-does-not-show-job-profitFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTYour profit and loss can be correct and still not tell you which jobs made money. Here is why, and what has to be true before job profit shows up.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/team-accountability-no-micromanagehttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/team-accountability-no-micromanageSat, 24 May 2025 12:00:00 GMTAccountability comes from clear roles, visible work and a steady meeting rhythm, not from watching people. A practical setup for contractors and service teams.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/service-business-250k-ceilinghttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/service-business-250k-ceilingThu, 17 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMTWhen a contractor or service business stops growing, the limit is often the owner's capacity and the systems around it. How to spot the ceiling and move past it.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/markup-vs-margin-for-contractorshttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/markup-vs-margin-for-contractorsFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTMarkup and margin are not the same number. The formulas, a worked example, and how to price a job for the gross margin you actually want.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/marketing-vs-backendhttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/marketing-vs-backendSat, 19 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMTMore leads will not fix slow follow-up, slow estimates and a messy handoff. Why contractors should fix the back end before spending more on marketing.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/hiring-wont-fix-operationshttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/hiring-wont-fix-operationsSat, 10 May 2025 12:00:00 GMTAdding people to unclear processes adds cost and confusion. What to fix before you hire, so new team members can actually take work off your plate.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/hidden-cost-operational-chaoshttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/hidden-cost-operational-chaosSun, 20 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMTRework, missed billing, slow estimates and an owner who cannot step away. Where operational chaos quietly costs a contractor, and where to start fixing it.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/estimate-vs-actual-job-cost-reporthttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/estimate-vs-actual-job-cost-reportFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTHow to read an estimate vs actual job cost report, why the numbers often do not match, and the three checks to run before you trust the variance.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/cost-codes-for-remodelershttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/cost-codes-for-remodelersFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA simple starter cost code structure for remodelers, how to keep estimate and actual categories aligned, and the mistakes that make cost codes useless.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/delegation-mistakeshttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/delegation-mistakesSat, 07 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMTWhy delegation fails in growing contractor businesses: handing off tasks without process, decisions or standards. A clearer way to let go.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/ceo-dashboard-metricshttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/ceo-dashboard-metricsSat, 21 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMTChecking the bank balance is not a dashboard. The handful of weekly numbers a contractor or service business owner should see, and where each comes from.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/client-onboarding-systemhttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/client-onboarding-systemSun, 31 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMTWhat happens between a signed contract and day one on site decides how the whole job goes. A simple onboarding system for contractors and service businesses.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/change-order-process-for-remodelershttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/change-order-process-for-remodelersFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA practical change order process for remodelers: capture, price, approve in writing, track costs separately, and bill. Includes a short SOP you can adapt.https://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/backend-systems-before-500khttps://kellyclaiborne.com/blog/backend-systems-before-500kFri, 25 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMTGrowth without systems adds stress. The five back-office systems a growing contractor or service business needs: intake, delivery, sales tracking, money and team.