Busy, But No Cash To Show For It?
You’re not alone. Most HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors work harder than anyone, and still wonder where the money went.
Does This Sound Familiar?
- You check the bank account before every payroll Friday
- Busy season comes and goes—but the cash doesn’t stick around
- You’re running low margins, while putting in 60-hour weeks
- Your books are a mess, and you’re not sure what’s actually profitable
- You’ve thought about selling someday, but worry no one would buy
- You can’t take a real vacation because the business falls apart without you
It doesn’t have to be this way.
What We Do
Mainstreet MEP gives you a CFO who actually understands the trades, without the $200K+ salary. We help contractors like you:
✓ See where your money is going with easy-to-read weekly financial dashboards built for contractors (not accountants)
✓ Fix your cash flow so you’re not scrambling before every payroll
✓ Increase your profit margins to where top contractors operate
✓ Build a business that runs without you so you can step back, or sell when you’re ready
✓ Get weekly CFO calls to review your numbers in real time, hold you accountable, and make better decisions
Who This Is For
This program works best for:
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors (residential and commercial)
- $1M–$20M in annual revenue
- Owners who are tired of guessing and want real financial clarity
- Businesses that want to grow, or position for a sale
How It Works
We use a proven system to get your business on solid financial footing:
- Financial Health Check: We review your books, cash flow, and margins to find the leaks
- Weekly CFO Calls: 30-minute accountability calls each week to review your numbers and make decisions
- Contractor-Ready Reports: Weekly flash dashboards and monthly financials you’ll actually use
- Step-by-Step Roadmap: A 12-phase plan to build stability, remove yourself from daily operations, and grow
Why Mainstreet MEP?
I didn’t learn the trades from a textbook. I’ve built and sold two contracting businesses – the second one made the Inc. 5000 list two years running (closer to the Inc. 1000) before we sold it to private equity.
I’ve sat where you’re sitting. I know what it takes to fix cash flow, hit real margins, and build something a buyer actually wants.
Here’s what makes us different: Most fractional CFOs stop at cleaning up your books and fixing cash flow. That’s basic stuff. We go further – using the Value Builder System™ to measure and grow your actual business value along the way.
It scores your company on the 8 drivers that buyers care about most: financial performance, recurring revenue, owner independence, customer diversity, and more. Businesses that score 80+ on the assessment, receive offers 71% higher than average. We track your score as we work together – so you’re not just running a better business, you’re building one that’s worth more when you’re ready to sell, or pass along a legacy.
What’s Included
- Weekly 30-minute CFO calls (up to 4 per month)
- Weekly financial flash dashboard reports (requires QuickBooks Online)
- Monthly financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, AR, AP)
- Full Value Builder business assessment report with current estimated value
- Checklists, templates, and SOPs built for the trades
- Access to Value Builder growth software and valuation tools
Investment
| One-Time Setup & Financial Review | $1,500 |
| Monthly (Reports + Weekly CFO Calls) | $2,500/month |
No long-term contract. 30 days notice to cancel. Most clients see results in 90 days.
For Context
A full-time CFO costs $200K–$350K+ per year. Most contractors in the $1M–$20M range don’t need that. They need strategic financial leadership from someone who actually understands the trades.
That’s what we deliver – for about the cost of a part-time admin.
And unlike most CFO consultants, we’ve actually done this. I built and sold two trades businesses, one that made the Inc. 5000 list twice before selling to private equity. I’m not guessing at what works. I’ve lived it.
Ready to Talk?
Book a free intro call. We’ll talk through where your business is today, look at your numbers, and see if this makes sense for you.
No pitch. No pressure. Just clarity.
Questions? Email intake@mainstreetmep.com or book your free call by clicking [HERE].
FAQ SECTION
What profit margin should an HVAC contractor have?
Top-performing service contractors run 15–20% net profit margins. The industry average is closer to 8–10%, and many struggle at 3–5%. If you’re working 60-hour weeks and barely clearing 10%, there’s usually a pricing, overhead, or cash flow problem we can help you fix.
Why does my contracting business have cash flow problems?
Most cash flow problems come from slow collections, seasonal swings without reserves, pricing that doesn’t account for true costs, delayed invoicing, or overhead creep. Many contractors look profitable on paper but can’t make payroll because cash is stuck in receivables or inventory.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and a CFO?
A bookkeeper records what happened. A CFO tells you what to do about it. Your bookkeeper categorizes transactions and keeps the books clean. A CFO analyzes those numbers, forecasts cash flow, fixes pricing, and helps you make decisions that actually improve profit.
Do I need a CFO if I already have an accountant?
Probably. Your accountant handles taxes and compliance – looking backward. A CFO looks forward: Where will cash be tight? Which jobs actually make money? How do we hit 15% or higher margins? What systems and processes do we need to put in place so the business can run itself? Most contractors need both.
How long does it take to see results?
Most clients see meaningful improvement in cash flow visibility within 30 days. Real margin improvement typically happens in 60–90 days as we fix pricing, tighten collections, and cut overhead leaks. The full roadmap takes 6–12 months depending on your starting point.
What if I’m not ready for the full program?
We also offer standalone weekly and monthly reporting packages, as well as annual reviews, and group coaching, if you just need better visibility into your numbers and generalized start-up support. Book a call and we’ll figure out what makes sense for your situation.