Why You're Broke (Even With a Full Schedule)

Are you constantly lowering your landscaping prices just to win jobs, only to realize you're barely making any money?

In this episode of The Untrapped Podcast, Keith Kalfas breaks down the dangerous cycle of undercharging and explains how setting a minimum job price completely transformed his landscaping business. From taking on $200 jobs that barely covered overhead to establishing a $700 minimum, Keith shares the lessons he learned about pricing, profitability, and knowing when to walk away from a customer.

Keith also reveals how to calculate your actual job costs, why he targets a 50% gross profit margin, and how focusing on higher-value landscaping projects can free up your schedule to grow your business instead of constantly scrambling for the next job.

Whether you're just starting your landscaping business or you're tired of working long hours without seeing the profits, this episode will help you rethink how you price your services and build a business that's actually worth running.

"When you finally put your foot down and you say, 'New policy'... you have to figure out what it is for you." – Keith Kalfas

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why lowering your prices can hurt your business and how to avoid falling into the lowball trap.

How setting a minimum job price changes everything, including Keith's journey from $99 jobs to a $700 minimum.

Why higher-value jobs can be more profitable and create breathing room in your schedule for marketing and business growth.

How to calculate your true job costs and profit margins, including Keith's approach to targeting 50% gross profit.

Why Keith recommends charging at least four times an employee's hourly wage to account for overhead and keep your business profitable.

How to attract more profitable landscaping clients through neighborhood marketing, customer referrals, and better business systems.