Start with the evidence
Gather the job ID, completion evidence, payments and refunds, direct time, variable travel expenses and other stated job costs. Name the reporting basis and time window. If a payment or cost is missing, mark contribution unknown or partial rather than silently substituting zero.
A worked example
Fictional job: $220 is collected, then $20 refunded. Direct time cost is $45, vehicle variable cost is $28 and other direct expense is $12. Net collection is $200; specified contribution is $200 − $45 − $28 − $12 = $115. That $115 remains before overhead and any costs outside the model. The original $220 receipt is not the final retained amount.
Choose the next action
Use a consistent cost definition and avoid double-counting components included in a bundled rate. Preserve payment adjustments as separate events. Ask the business’s accounting reviewer how this internal view relates to its formal financial records. An owner can compare scenarios without presenting the model as tax or accounting advice.
Check whether it worked
Reconcile the calculation to the underlying records and show the number of jobs with complete evidence. Review outliers rather than deleting them. If contribution looks strong but cash is tight, inspect collection timing and broader outflows. If collection is unknown, resolve that record before treating the job as either profitable or worthless.
Put it to work
A record you can use
- Completion evidence
- Payments and refunds with dates
- Included direct costs
- Excluded and unknown costs
- Checked contribution and reporting basis
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.