Sound Familiar?
You started this for more time, more money, less stress. Here's what you actually got.
You Are the Business
You're still pulling permits at 6am because nobody else knows the compliance codes. Your invoicing software doesn't talk to your quoting tool. Supplier rebates require manual tracking. One person (you) holds all the knowledge.
The Money's There But It's Not Yours
Per-van margins have compressed. Supply chain volatility hit battery rebate forecasting. You're picking jobs based on cash flow, not strategy. Residential work pays, but commercial pays better - if you can structure it right.
The Busy Trap
Every call comes to your phone. You're quoting after hours. Your admin person spends half their day chasing paperwork because your jobs aren't documented. You can't delegate because the system lives in your head.
Staff Headaches Without a Playbook
Qualified sparkies are scarce. You've tried apprentices but they need constant supervision. Your tradie team is solid, but you've got no playbook for onboarding or growth. Retention is a guessing game.