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Home » Authors » Richard DiToma

Articles by Richard DiToma

PHCN1126_plumber discussing work with customer.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

Tangible and Intangible Costs = Your True Operational Business Expenses

By documenting clear agreements and pricing above your total costs with an appropriate profit margin, you can deliver quality work, avoid losses and build a sustainable business.
November 2, 2026
Richard DiToma

Before setting profitable selling prices, you must identify and calculate all the tangible and intangible expenses required to operate your business.


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Contractor Profit Advantage

10 Steps for Sound Business Plans and Successful Results

Long-term profitability comes from pricing above true operating costs, projecting confidence, maintaining strong customer relations, delivering excellent value and regularly reviewing and adjusting the plan when results fall short.
October 1, 2026
Richard DiToma

The NFL season is up and running. Those of us who enjoy watching football get to sit back in our easy chairs at home or join other enthusiasts at the local pub to view the games.


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Contractor Profit Advantage

Let Consumers Know You Exist

Contractors using word of mouth, networking, websites, local outreach and clear vehicle branding build awareness for their companies without irritating potential customers through intrusive or annoying sales tactics.
September 1, 2026
Richard DiToma

There is an age-old question that every business owner has to contemplate: Should I grow my business? 


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PHCN0826_real assumptions about business.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

Proper Profitable Selling Prices Require Common Sense And Mathematical Prowess

Accurate pricing requires more than guesswork — it demands honest calculations, realistic assumptions about billable hours and profit margins, and the intelligence to ensure each job supports the business’ survival and success.
August 3, 2026
Richard DiToma

One of the issues I often write about is the necessity for you, the contractor, to properly identify and calculate the true operational business costs you incur to run your business — in total and as those costs pertain proportionately to any given task.


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Contractor Profit Advantage

The Spirit of Business

Why technical skill alone isn’t enough to build a profitable contracting company — and how disciplined pricing, sound math and business judgment separate real operators from those merely getting by.
July 1, 2026
Richard DiToma

If you search the Internet for the definition of the word “business,” you’ll find a version of this idea: “Business is an organization that provides goods and services to the community in exchange for money, with the goal of becoming profitable.”


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PHCN0626_increased profit.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

New Construction Vs. Service Business Operational Costs

Plumbing and HVAC contractors must treat each segment as a separate profit center and use precise cost analysis to ensure balanced, profitable operations.
June 1, 2026
Richard DiToma

Plumbing and HVAC contractors must analyze precise operational costs to separate new construction from service segments and maximize distinct profit centers.


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PHCN0526_numbers and money.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

Numbers Lead to Money

If you incur legitimate business expenses, you had better identify and calculate them before offering your services to the public.
May 4, 2026
Richard DiToma

In your life, everything you do relies on numbers. Digits play a particularly important part in your personal and business life


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PHCN0426_kneading pizza dough.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

Success Is In the Dough

If you deliver excellence, consumers will be looking for you.
April 1, 2026
Richard DiToma

Learn why success in the PHC contracting business requires more than just technical skill, but the courage to set profitable prices that reflect the true value of your excellence.


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PHCN0326_reaching for stars-star techs.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

Compensation That Counts: Keeping Star Techs and Growing Your Business

Competitive pay and creative incentive programs that reward both sales and performance ensure that top technicians feel valued and motivated to stay with your company.
March 2, 2026
Richard DiToma

One of the age-old questions contractors ask is about technician compensation.


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PHCN0226_respect word cloud.jpg
Contractor Profit Advantage

The Importance of Respect

Owners must train and compensate staff appropriately to earn their respect, as it leads to high-quality service, repeat business and a strong reputation among consumers.
February 2, 2026
Richard DiToma

Discover how building a foundation of respect within your team—through mastery, training, and clear expectations—is the essential catalyst for delivering the excellence that earns lifelong customer loyalty.


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