How do I track whether each tree job made money?

Many owners know their bank balance but not which jobs made money. A job-by-job record fixes that. It does not need software. A job ticket and a spreadsheet are enough.

For each job, write down the quoted price and the work. After the job, add the real crew hours, how many people were on the crew, fuel, disposal fees, rentals and any subcontracted work. Add a share of overhead based on your cost per crew hour.

Subtract the total cost from what you were paid. Divide the result by the price to see your margin. Compare it with the margin you aimed for when you quoted.

Look for patterns. Maybe small trims are fine but crane jobs lose money. Maybe stump grinding makes more than you thought. Maybe one crew is faster than another. Use the facts to change your pricing and the jobs you chase.

Be honest about the small costs. Travel time, a second trip for a forgotten tool and repairs after a hard job are real costs.

Review the numbers monthly. If you only look once a year, a loss can run all season.

Our profit margin calculator and job ticket template can help you start.