Start with the evidence
Gather operator-approved service facts, the relevant agreement, recorded amounts, time, mileage, direct expenses, administrative effort and payment timing. Do not substitute a supposed industry reimbursement rate for the company’s actual evidence. Keep billed amounts, expected payments and collected money distinct.
A worked example
Fictional comparison: Job A collects $170 with $70 in specified direct costs, leaving $100 contribution. Job B collects $140 with $45 in specified direct costs, leaving $95. The higher collection produces only $5 more contribution under these assumptions. If Job B requires additional administration or collects later, those factors need separate visibility; the labels alone cannot decide the result.
Choose the next action
Compare similar service scopes and include real contractual responsibilities and capacity constraints. Use a sensitivity case for uncertain time or payment assumptions. Do not recommend abandoning or accepting a relationship solely from one example. The business must review actual terms, compliance obligations and operational feasibility with appropriate expertise.
Check whether it worked
Review a defined cohort using the same cost method and reporting basis. Show counts, service mix, unresolved payments and collection timing. Avoid attributing direct calls entirely to one marketing channel unless the evidence supports it. A useful decision describes which work fits under which conditions, rather than declaring one category universally superior.
Put it to work
A record you can use
- Actual relationship and scope
- Known collection versus expected amount
- Direct time, miles and expenses
- Administrative effort and timing
- Comparable cohort and decision limits
Plain text. No email required. Store completed records in your approved business systems.
Next useful step
Need help applying this to your marketing? A strategy call starts with your business and the evidence you have.
Talk through your next step →For a general editorial question, email Chris. Please leave out customer details. Questions are private, and no response time is promised.