The Checklist Every Successful Contractor Needs to Grow 20% Annually

Proven Systems from the Top 1% of Contractors in North America

Running a successful home services business, whether HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or roofing—takes more than just hard work. The difference between steady growth and explosive results often comes down to one thing: systems.

That’s where CertainPath comes in. CertainPath’s Product Development and Innovation team studies the most successful residential contracting companies in North America to uncover the operational, management, marketing, and leadership secrets that set them apart.

From those findings, SGI creates easy-to-implement, scalable tools that members can customize for their own businesses. The result? Contractors who consistently grow 20% annually at a 15% net profit.


Why Checklists Work for Home Improvement Contractors

Every top-performing contractor relies on checklists to maintain consistency and accountability. Whether you’re managing a small HVAC team or running a multi-location roofing business, checklists help you:

  • Standardize daily, weekly, and monthly operations
  • Train new team members quickly
  • Ensure every job meets company standards
  • Keep your management team aligned on priorities

CertainPath’s  44-Point Checklist, available in full to members, lays the foundation for operational excellence and sustainable growth.


How to Use the Checklist

Each task in the CertainPath Essentials Checklist is designed to be actionable. Tasks are categorized by frequency so business owners and managers can easily integrate them into daily routines or long-term planning.


Essentials Checklist for Growing Contractors

If you’re a home service business contractor, without a management team, start with these essentials. These 10 core habits set the tone for success across your organization.

✅ Daily & Weekly Essentials

# Task Frequency
1 Start your day with a positive mental attitude—set the tone for your company and team. Daily
2 Review your Daily Management Essentials Report (DME) to track key performance indicators like gross margin and average ticket before 9 AM. Daily
3 Check your call count and ensure your schedule is full. If not, create and execute a plan to generate more calls. Daily
4 Review the service schedule with your customer care team to match the right technician to each call. Daily
5 Spend time connecting with your team—remember, you’re in the people business. Daily
6 Conduct a Daily Huddle to review wins, motivate your team, share updates, and outline the plan for the day. Daily
7 Schedule one-on-one meetings using SGI’s 30-Day Coaching Form to review performance, goals, and development. Weekly/Monthly
8 Inspect at least 25% of installs for quality and inventory accuracy. Review all permits as needed. Weekly
9 Respond immediately to any customer satisfaction issues or “happy call” concerns. Daily
10 Provide targeted training to low performers based on reviews and results. Weekly

Make the Checklist Work for You

To make your checklist more functional:

  • Customize it to your company’s schedule. Move or adjust tasks as needed.
  • Add reminders on your digital calendar for monthly or quarterly reviews.
  • Track completion with a shared spreadsheet or project management tool (e.g., Asana, ClickUp).
  • Review and refine regularly as your team grows or processes evolve.

Why Systems Build Sustainable Success

Behind every successful contractor is a systemized approach that keeps the business running like clockwork. CertainPath’s checklist is just one example of how structured processes help roofing contractors, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC businesses achieve their goals faster—with fewer headaches.

With over 1000 members across North America, CertainPath provides:

  • Detailed organizational charts
  • Complete job descriptions
  • Proven standard operating procedures (SOPs)

These resources free you to focus on growing your business while maintaining profitability and consistency.


Ready to Take the Next Step?

Join CertainPath’s Profit Day event and learn how the top 1% of contractors use these same strategies to grow faster and smarter.

You can achieve a level of success you once thought was out of reach—using the same proven systems that have helped other contractors dominate their markets.

“You can do it by using the same strategies and systems we’ve used to grow our company.”
Gus Antos, CertainPath Member since 2004


 

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