For Bootstrapped Exterior Contractors
Build It Lean.
Run It Right.
Free guides, calculators, and templates to help independent contractors get licensed, get insured, price jobs right, and run a real business — without the fluff.
What’s Your Trade?
Jump straight to guides, tools, and startup resources for your specialty.
Startup costs, seasonal planning, sourcing materials, recurring revenue
Route building, equipment tiers, pricing contracts, scaling to 200 accounts
ISA certification, insurance costs, storm work, climbing vs. bucket truck
Equipment at every price point, pricing jobs, partnership marketing
Permits, material sourcing, bidding jobs, building a portfolio from scratch
Equipment guide, soft washing, chemical selection, residential vs. commercial
Business Guides
Everything you need to go from side hustle to legit business — in the order it actually matters.
Free Tools & Calculators
Run the numbers before you quote. No guesswork, no black boxes.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Find the minimum rate you need to charge to actually hit your income goal after overhead and taxes.
Use Calculator →Job Estimate Builder
Build a complete bid with labor, materials, overhead, mobilization fees, and profit margin — by trade.
Use Calculator →Break-Even Calculator
Find out exactly how many jobs — and at what price — you need to cover your costs each month.
Use Calculator →Startup Cost Calculator
Get a realistic startup budget by trade so you know what you’re actually getting into before you spend a dollar.
Use Calculator →No subscription, no paywall, no recurring fees. Built for operators who are watching every dollar.
Nearly 30 years as an engineer officer and NCO, then civilian construction management. No theory. No fluff.
Every calculator shows the formula and logic. You understand the number, not just get an answer.
Lawn care, landscaping, tree service, stump grinding, hardscaping, pressure washing. Nothing else.
Ready to Build It Right?
Start with the guided roadmap — it walks you through every step in the order that actually makes sense.
Take Me to Start Here →