I Sold the Job at 45% Margin… Where Did the Money Go?

You sold the job at a 45% gross margin. You estimated it correctly. So why is there no money left at the end? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Nick Slavik to tackle one of the most frustrating problems facing cabinet makers, millworkers, contractors, and trades business owners: the gap between the profit you estimate and the profit you actually keep. Nick explains why a profitable estimate is only the beginning. The journey from lead → estimate → sale → administration → project management → production → closeout creates multiple opportunities for profit to disappear. And protecting that margin often comes down to things that aren't exciting: clear standard operating procedures, training, accountability, good handoffs, production management, tracking the numbers, and consistent leadership. We also discuss why delegating a task doesn't eliminate your responsibility as an owner. When you stop doing the task yourself, your job becomes managing the person responsible for doing it. In this conversation, you'll hear about: • Why 45% gross margin can still turn into little or no net profit • The difference between estimating profit and actually keeping it • Why every employee needs clear responsibilities and SOPs • How accountability protects your margins • Why business owners can't completely delegate management • Production, labor, and protecting profitability • Why knowing your numbers changes how you price work • Managing employees without trying to control everything • The difference between being a great craftsperson and a business owner • Building a business that gives you more freedom—not another job If you own a cabinet shop, architectural millwork company, renovation business, or other trades business and keep asking, "Where did all the profit go?"—this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more conversations about building a profitable trades business, developing your team, improving operations, and becoming a stronger business owner. More about Nick Slavik: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slaviknick Website: https://nickslavik.com Youtube: http://youtube.com/channel/UCeVoEqyymMmsmd8-8YQGjCg Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527 #CabinetMakerProfitSystem #ProfitToolBelt #DominicRubino #CabinetMaker #CabinetShop #ArchitecturalMillwork #Millwork #Woodwork #WoodworkingBusiness #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #Leadership #TeamLeadership #BusinessSystems #BusinessFinance #Profitability #CashFlow #JobCosting #Efficiency #ShopManagement #ManufacturingLeadership #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing #ContractorBusiness #ConstructionBusiness #Estimating #AWI #AWMAC #NKBA #CMA #NickSlavik