Sebastien Nault
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Overtime Is Killing Your Profits- Heres how to fix it with Sebastien Nault
Most shop owners think overtime is just part of the job.
Deadlines. Pressure. Customer expectations.
So they push through.
But here’s the truth:
👉 Overtime isn’t the problem
👉 It’s a symptom of broken systems
In this episode, Coach Sebastien Nault explains what’s really happening inside your business—and how to fix it.
The Hidden Cost of Overtime
Overtime feels productive.
You’re getting jobs done. Keeping promises.
But look closer.
That extra hour usually happens:
• At the end of the day
• When your team is tired
• When mistakes are more likely
That leads to:
• Slower work
• Rework
• Lower margins
It’s not just expensive.
It’s inefficient.
Step 1: Know Your Numbers
Most owners don’t actually know:
• What a job should cost
• What labor should be
• Where profit is leaking
That’s the first problem.
You need a benchmark.
Tools like CP90 help compare your business to others like yours.
👉 If you don’t know the target… you can’t hit it.
Step 2: Focus on Gross Profit
Gross profit is your scoreboard.
If it’s off, something is wrong:
• Labor too high
• Pricing too low
• Jobs misquoted
Overtime often shows up here first.
It quietly eats your margin.
Step 3: Show the Team What Success Looks Like
This is where most shops fail.
The owner knows the numbers…
but the team doesn’t.
So what happens?
People:
• Show up
• Do the work
• Go home
No target.
No accountability.
No clarity.
Instead, you need to tell them:
• How long jobs should take
• What “done right” looks like
• Why efficiency matters
People want to win.
They just need to know the rules.
Step 4: Use End-of-Job Reports (EOJ)
EOJs show you the truth.
They answer:
• Did we hit the hours?
• Did we make money?
• Where did we go wrong?
Patterns start to show:
• Certain jobs always lose money
• Certain teams always go over time
• Certain quotes are always off
Now you can fix the real issue.
Step 5: Find the Real Cause of Overtime
Overtime isn’t random.
It comes from:
• Bad quoting
• Poor planning
• Weak systems
• Lack of training
Sometimes it’s NOT the team.
Sometimes it’s leadership.
And that’s where real improvement starts.
Final Thought
“Understand your numbers—and help your people understand them.”
That’s it.
When everyone knows:
• The goal
• The target
• The expectations
Everything changes.
Less overtime.
More profit.
Better life.
👉 Want to see where your profit is leaking?
👉 Listen to the full episode now.
🔗 Connect & Follow
More about With Sebastien Nault: LinkedIn
Company's Linkedin: LinkedIn
Connect with Us:
- LinkedIn: Cabinet Maker Profit System
- Instagram: @cabinetmakerprofitsystem
- Facebook: Cabinet Maker Profit System
- YouTube: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom
