Field Notes | Plumb Line

Field Notes

Short, useful pieces for trades business owners on the financial side of running, growing, and eventually selling the company you built.

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Note No. 02 May 2026 5 min read

5 Numbers Every Trades Owner Should Know

Most owners can quote a job in their sleep but can't tell you their gross margin off the top of their head. These five numbers, once you know them by feel, are the difference between running the shop and being run by it.

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