What is it costing when everything still runs through you? Owner Bottleneck Calculator
Estimate what low-value owner time and staff waiting may be costing the business each year. If you are the one everyone waits on, this calculator puts a number on it.
How it works
Estimate first. Verify next.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my business is too dependent on me?
If employees regularly wait on you for decisions, if you work on scheduling, purchasing, or approvals that someone else could handle, or if the business slows down when you take a day off — owner dependence is costing you money. This calculator estimates how much.
What is the cost of owner bottleneck?
It includes the wage cost of your low-value time, the loaded cost of employees waiting for decisions, and the opportunity cost of higher-value work (sales, strategy, training) you are not doing. For most trade businesses, the total is larger than owners expect.
When should I hire a manager or office coordinator?
When the cost of your time on low-value work exceeds the cost of the hire. This calculator estimates both sides so you can compare. Many owners find the math supports a hire they have been putting off.
How do I stop being the bottleneck in my business?
Start by measuring: how many hours per week are spent on work someone else should handle? Then identify the role that absorbs the most. Common first hires are dispatcher, office manager, or service manager. The Business Checkup maps exactly which decisions should move and to whom.
Is this calculator accurate?
It provides a directional estimate based on rough inputs. The real number depends on your specific business. The Business Checkup is where we verify the actual bottlenecks inside your operation.
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This is not meant to replace a real analysis.
The calculator is a starting point. The Business Checkup is where a senior analyst verifies the numbers and finds the operational cause behind the problem.