What Most Techs Don’t Realize About Price, Profit, and Staying in Business

“Why do we have to charge so much?” If you’ve ever asked that question—or had a customer ask it—this episode is for you.

In this candid breakdown, Chris Elmore and James “J-Dub” Walker unpack what it really costs to run a service call, why pricing isn’t based on greed, and how to explain value when customers don’t understand what they’re paying for.

This is the financial literacy episode every tech and salesperson should hear.

You’ll learn how to:

-Break down fixed costs vs. variable costs in simple terms -Explain why two water heaters are not the same job -Understand what it actually costs to acquire a customer -Protect profit without cutting corners or rushing the job -Use long-term value (like memberships) to stay profitable -Talk to customers—and owners—about price with confidence

Mentioned in this episode:

• The 100 Pennies exercise for understanding margins

• True cost breakdowns: marketing, overhead, labor, materials

• Membership math: how repeat visits lower cost per call

• Why price is based on need, not greed

• The problem with "just knocking $500 off"

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