The Solo Operator's First 90 Days

An operational playbook for a new 1099 service operator (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and similar trades)

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. It does not replace your state/local licensing requirements, insurance obligations, or a real accountant. Figures in the filled example are illustrative and must be verified against your own numbers.

How to use this playbook

Each 30-day block has a short list of decisions and a cash checkpoint. The filled example below follows "Oak St HVAC" — the same solo operator used across this niche's other desks (Weekly Cash Desk, Deposit Desk) — so you can see how the playbook, the deposit stamp, and the 13-week forecast connect in practice.

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Days 1–30: Set the Floor

Decisions to make:

• Set your cash floor — the number your account never goes below without it being a real emergency. Under-capitalized operators fail on a timing problem, not a total revenue problem: the money was coming, just not before a bill was due.
• Set your tax vault percentage (a flat % of every dollar in, moved to a separate account, untouched). 25–30% is a common starting point for a solo 1099 operator in the US, but confirm with an actual accountant for your situation.
• Decide your deposit policy in writing — what % up front, before any materials are ordered — and use it on every job without exception.
• Get liability insurance and any required trade license active before your first paid job, not

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