Adam Smith
Senior Contributor
30 years in the trades. Started as a plumbing apprentice in 1995, ran his own 6-person shop through the 2008 crash, sold it in 2018. Writes about the parts of the business they never teach you.
Articles by Adam Smith
Business TipsMay 12, 2026
1099 vs W-2 for Trade Workers: What It Really Costs You
Most small shops default to 1099 subs to save money. A former plumbing contractor explains why that math is usually wrong — and risky.
GuidesMay 12, 2026
How to Set Your Service Call Fee (And Not Lose Jobs Over It)
Stop eating trip costs. Learn how to price your service call fee, what competitors charge, and the exact script to sell it to customers.