The Truth Behind Your Hourly Rate

I recently sat down with a contractor who felt stuck.

He was working hard, winning jobs, and delivering great results.

But despite all that effort, his bank account didn’t reflect his grind.

His problem? He didn’t know his true man-hour rate.

Like many in the industry, he was guessing.

A little gut instinct here, a comparison to local competitors there. And guess what? It was costing him—big time

The Real Cost of Guesswork

Let me ask you this: Do you know exactly how much each hour of your crew’s time is worth?

If not, you’re probably:

• Losing money on jobs because you’re underestimating your true costs.
• Leaving profits on the table that you could reinvest into your business or team.
• Working harder, not smarter—and feeling the grind every day.

The truth is, guessing your hourly rate is like running a race with no finish line.

You’ll work yourself to exhaustion, but you’ll never get ahead.

How to Take Control

It’s time to stop guessing and start knowing.

Calculating your man-hour rate boils down to these three pillars:

1. Your Crew Costs: Every hour worked comes with more than just a wage—there are taxes, insurance, and benefits to account for.
2. Your Business Costs: From shop rent to vehicles, your overhead has to be factored into every single hour.
3. Your Profit: Because let’s be honest—what’s the point of working hard if you’re not building the future you want?

I’ve seen too many owners spin their wheels trying to figure this out on their own.

That’s why I created a Man-Hour Rate Calculator—to do the heavy lifting for you.

Plug in your numbers, and it’ll give you the exact rate you need to charge to cover your costs and hit your goals.

Why it Matters

Here’s the thing: knowing your rate isn’t just about the math—it’s about confidence.

Confidence that your quotes are accurate.

Confidence that your business is profitable. And confidence that you’re building something sustainable.

So, are you ready to stop guessing and start growing? Grab the calculator, and let’s make sure every hour worked is one that moves your business forward.


Cheers!
Weston Zimmerman
SynkedUP CEO and founder