Variations are one of the biggest profit killers in a trades business, yet most owners barely notice the damage until it’s too late. A few extra hours here, an unapproved change there, and suddenly tens of thousands of dollars have disappeared from the bottom line. 

The problem rarely starts on-site. It begins much earlier with vague scopes, unclear quotes and assumptions that everyone is on the same page. From casual client requests and handshake agreements to undocumented changes and missed approvals, small decisions create major margin erosion. 

We walk you through our simple six-step framework, SCRAPE: 

Scope: Define exactly what is and is not included. 
Capture: Document every change request, no matter how small. 
Review: Assess the true cost, time and impact before committing. 
Approve: Get client sign-off before the extra work begins. 
Plan: Adjust schedules, materials, labour and expectations. 
Execute: Complete the variation exactly as agreed, without adding unpaid extras. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Clear scopes prevent confusion, disputes and costly misunderstandings with clients. 
🔨 Every variation should be documented, regardless of how small it seems. 
🔨 Reviewing changes before proceeding helps protect margins and cash flow. 
🔨 Client approval removes ambiguity and prevents costly payment disputes later. 
🔨 Variations affect labour, materials, schedules and administration far more often. 
🔨 Poor variation management can cost trades businesses thousands annually unnoticed. 

… Book a free Discovery Call to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

Variations are one of the biggest profit killers in a trades business, yet most owners barely notice the damage until it&rsquo;s too late. A few extra hours here, an unapproved change there, and suddenly tens of thousands of dollars have disappeared from the bottom line.&nbsp;
The problem rarely starts on-site. It begins much earlier with vague scopes, unclear quotes and assumptions that everyone is on the same page. From casual client requests and handshake agreements to undocumented changes and missed approvals, small decisions create major margin erosion.&nbsp;
We walk you through our simple six-step framework, SCRAPE:&nbsp;
Scope: Define exactly what is and is not included.&nbsp; Capture: Document every change request, no matter how small.&nbsp; Review: Assess the true cost, time and impact before committing.&nbsp; Approve: Get client sign-off before the extra work begins.&nbsp; Plan: Adjust schedules, materials, labour and expectations.&nbsp; Execute: Complete the variation exactly as agreed, without adding unpaid extras.&nbsp;
In this episode you&rsquo;ll learn:&nbsp;
🔨 Clear scopes prevent confusion, disputes and costly misunderstandings with clients.&nbsp; 🔨 Every variation should be documented, regardless of how small it seems.&nbsp; 🔨 Reviewing changes before proceeding helps protect margins and cash flow.&nbsp; 🔨 Client approval removes ambiguity and prevents costly payment disputes later.&nbsp; 🔨 Variations affect labour, materials, schedules and administration far more often.&nbsp; 🔨 Poor variation management can cost trades businesses thousands annually unnoticed.&nbsp;
&hellip; Book a free Discovery Call to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: <a href="https://www.strategysession.com.au">www.strategysession.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Find out more about Pravar Group at <a href="http://www.pravargroup.com">www.pravargroup.com</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup">https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup</a>&nbsp;

If you’re a tradie and you’ve gone out on your own you’ve probably done it because you want more out of your life… to earn more money, build wealth, have more free time with your family and live a great lifestyle. 

But for so many business owners they end up working long hours, not generating enough profit and ending up tired, stressed and with no time to connect with the very thing that matters to them most … their families. 

In The Trade Den Podcast, we pull back the curtain to share the same tools, stories and strategies that have helped hundreds of businessmen in the trades and construction industry transform their businesses and reconnect with their families. 

If you’re ready to take back control of your business and life you’re in the right place, click follow so you don’t miss a single episode and head to The Trade Den to join our Facebook Community. 

Ready to get off the Hamster Wheel and take your Business and Life to the next level? Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at pravargroup.com or @rob_kropp

If you&rsquo;re a tradie and you&rsquo;ve gone out on your own you&rsquo;ve probably done it because you want more out of your life&hellip; to earn more money, build wealth, have more free time with your family and live a great lifestyle.&nbsp;
But for so many business owners they end up working long hours, not generating enough profit and ending up tired, stressed and with no time to connect with the very thing that matters to them most &hellip; their families.&nbsp;
In The Trade Den Podcast, we pull back the curtain to share the same tools, stories and strategies that have helped hundreds of businessmen in the trades and construction industry transform their businesses and reconnect with their families.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re ready to take back control of your business and life you&rsquo;re in the right place, click follow so you don&rsquo;t miss a single episode and head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2408346576138045">The Trade Den</a> to join our Facebook Community.&nbsp;
Ready to get off the Hamster Wheel and take your Business and Life to the next level? Book a&nbsp;<a href="https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser">Chat</a> here&nbsp;
Find out more about Pravar Group at pravargroup.com or @rob_kropp

The Trade Den Podcast helps tradespeople and construction business owners break free from the cycle of long hours and stress. Each week, hosts Rob and Dan share proven strategies, tools and real stories from hundreds of successful trades businesses to help you build profit, reclaim your time and reconnect with your family. Whether you're struggling with cash flow, team management or work-life balance, discover how to transform your business into one that serves your lifestyle goals. Join our community of like-minded tradespeople ready to get off the hamster wheel and take control of their business and life.

The Trade Den

If you’re a tradie and you’ve gone out on your own you’ve probably done it because you want more out of your life… to earn more money, build wealth, have more free time with your family and live a great lifestyle. 

But for so many business owners they end up working long hours, not generating enough profit and ending up tired, stressed and with no time to connect with the very thing that matters to them most … their families. 

In The Trade Den Podcast, we pull back the curtain to share the same tools, stories and strategies that have helped hundreds of businessmen in the trades and construction industry transform their businesses and reconnect with their families.

If you’re ready to take back control of your business and life you’re in the right place, click follow so you don’t miss a single episode and head to The Trade Den to join our Facebook Community 

Ready to get off the Hamster Wheel and take your Business and Life to the next level?

Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at pravargroup.com or @rob_kropp

If you&rsquo;re a tradie and you&rsquo;ve gone out on your own you&rsquo;ve probably done it because you want more out of your life&hellip; to earn more money, build wealth, have more free time with your family and live a great lifestyle.&nbsp;
But for so many business owners they end up working long hours, not generating enough profit and ending up tired, stressed and with no time to connect with the very thing that matters to them most &hellip; their families.&nbsp;
In The Trade Den Podcast, we pull back the curtain to share the same tools, stories and strategies that have helped hundreds of businessmen in the trades and construction industry transform their businesses and reconnect with their families.
If you&rsquo;re ready to take back control of your business and life you&rsquo;re in the right place, click follow so you don&rsquo;t miss a single episode and head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2408346576138045">The Trade Den</a> to join our Facebook Community&nbsp;
Ready to get off the Hamster Wheel and take your Business and Life to the next level?
Book a <a href="https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser">Chat</a> here&nbsp;
Find out more about Pravar Group at pravargroup.com or @rob_kropp