Paying technicians fairly: hourly vs commission
The pay model shapes the behavior you get.
By Lakehouse · 3 min read · Updated July 2026
How you pay techs shapes how they work. Hourly rewards showing up. Commission rewards selling. Most shops land on a blend, and the details matter more than the label.
Whatever you choose, make it transparent and fair. Techs who understand exactly how they earn trust you more and game the system less. Hidden or confusing pay breeds resentment.
People do what they are paid to do. Make sure that is the thing you actually want.
Tie pay to the outcomes you actually want: quality work, happy customers, and reasonable callback rates, not just raw revenue.
Ready to run your business from one app?
One price. Everything included. White-glove setup done for you.
Book a demoBy Lakehouse
Notes from home service businesses, for growth-minded owners.
See it on your own jobs.
Book a working session with the Lakehouse team. Bring a real job, a real estimate, and a real question about running your business. We will show you how Lakehouse handles it.