Tips for pest control companies to improve cost management in 2025

GRAPHIC: PMP STAFF

We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members to share some advice on how pest control companies can improve cost management in 2025. Here are some of their responses from our November 2024 print edition.

PMP’s Editorial Advisory Board and Regular Contributors

Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE

Dr. Hamilton Allen: “Invest in accounting software and training. Improper accounting and management lead to the downfall of most small businesses. There are several tools on the market that can help you identify where your organization’s dollars are going. Treat your business as a separate entity and not a personal piggy bank.”

Dan Baldwin: “By collaborating with manufacturers and distributors, one can typically bundle purchases for maximum value.”

Greg Baumann: “Review routes. When customers quickly get added, it can add to windshield time. Not only should managers review the routes, the techs should, too, as less windshield time means more pay for them.”

Foster Brusca: “Invest in training to improve technician skills, safety practices and customer service. Skilled technicians are more efficient and can solve issues on the first visit, reducing repeat visits and callbacks.”

Doug Foster

Doug Foster: “Because labor is always your largest expense, start there. Look closely at your routing and scheduling to identify inefficiencies and ways to condense work each week.”

Dan Gordon: “Cutting costs may not always be easy. Consider raising prices or increasing route efficiency; this has the same effect as cost-cutting.”

Paul Hardy: “The cost is going to keep going up in all of our services. To reduce costs, increase productivity and gradually increase prices each year by about 2 percent. With today’s advanced technologies, we have the tools necessary to tighten up our service schedules; loss of time is still our largest cost. Tighter service areas will reduce several of our costs and increase productivity. Products that are available and used in our services are better than we have ever had. Increase inspections and recommendations on the prevention of pest through exclusion. Simply training and retraining is the best way to reduce costs and increase productivity.”

Dr. Faith Oi: “The cost of energy is likely to continue to rise, so efforts that focus on routing and scheduling will be impactful. Bulk purchasing when distributors run promotions may become even more important to save on product costs. An initial increased spend will save money over time.”

Sheri Spencer Bachman

Sheri Spencer Bachman, ACE: “There are lots of ways to manage costs, but I always start with the elimination of unnecessary costs. Review your callback log — and if you don’t keep callback logs, start — and identify which situations (pests, account types, etc.) generate the most callbacks. Callbacks are expensive. If by training you can cut callbacks, you also will reduce unnecessary expenses.”

Jerry Schappert: “Review current vendors. But rather than switch, work with them if possible and clean up any excess dollars going to frivolous things. Have a heart-to-heart with staff. Same mindset: In-house savings will surprise you if you let them in on the plan and goals.”

Glen Ramsey

Mark Sheperdigian, BCE: “There are lots of ways to manage costs, but I always start with the elimination of unnecessary costs. Review your callback log — and if you don’t keep callback logs, start — and identify which situations (pests, account types, etc.) generate the most callbacks. Callbacks are expensive. If by training you can cut callbacks, you also will reduce unnecessary expenses.”

Glen Ramsey: “Bulk purchasing when distributors run promotions may become even more important to save on product costs. An initial increased spend will save money over time.”

<p>The post Tips for pest control companies to improve cost management in 2025 first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2024/11/18/tips-for-pest-control-companies-to-improve-cost-management-in-2025/
Sacramento CA