Running a power washing business isn’t just about blasting grime off surfaces — it’s also about running the numbers. Whether you’re a one-person operation or managing a growing crew, your business lives and dies by how well you track, interpret, and act on your key metrics. 📈💼
Many entrepreneurs get caught up in the hustle and forget to zoom out and analyze their data — and that’s a costly mistake. If you want to build long-term success, not just survive from job to job, you need to know exactly what’s working, what’s not, and where your profits are hiding.
Let’s walk through the most important metrics every power washing business owner should track — and how to use those numbers to make smarter, more profitable decisions. 💡
🧾 1. Revenue: Know What’s Coming In
Let’s start with the obvious — total revenue. This is the total amount of money you collect from all jobs before subtracting any costs.
- 🗓️ Track monthly, quarterly, and year-over-year revenue
- 🔍 Break it down by service (e.g., house washing vs. driveway cleaning)
- 📍 Monitor by location or zip code if you serve multiple areas
But don’t stop here — revenue is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s exciting to say you made $10,000 in a month, but it’s more important to know how much of that you actually kept.
💰 2. Profit Margins: What You Actually Take Home
Your net profit margin is what’s left after you subtract all business expenses from your revenue.
Formula:
Net Profit = Total Revenue – Total Expenses
Net Profit Margin = (Net Profit ÷ Revenue) x 100
If you brought in $10,000 and spent $7,000 on gas, equipment, labor, marketing, and other costs — your profit was $3,000. That’s a 30% margin — which is solid for most small service businesses.
🚨 Warning Sign: If your margin is under 15%, it may be time to revisit your pricing, cost structure, or service mix.
⏱️ 3. Job Efficiency: Time vs. Money
Not all jobs are created equal. Some take two hours and pay $500. Others eat up half your day and only pay $250. That’s where job efficiency comes in.
Track:
- Average time per job
- Revenue per hour
- Labor hours per job (especially with employees)
This helps you identify your most profitable services — and price accordingly.
🧠 Pro Tip: Build a pricing model that considers both difficulty and duration.
👷♂️ 4. Labor Costs: Your Biggest Expense
If you have employees or plan to hire, labor becomes your largest ongoing cost.
Track:
- Hourly wages and total hours worked
- Payroll taxes and insurance
- Revenue generated per technician
Use this data to measure individual performance, spot inefficiencies, and justify bonuses or raises for high performers. 💵👏
And remember — unproductive hours (like driving or setup) still cost money. Find ways to streamline your team’s day for better returns.
📅 5. Booking Rate: Turning Leads Into Jobs
Your booking rate shows how well you convert leads into paying customers.
Formula:
Booking Rate = (Jobs Booked ÷ Total Inquiries) x 100
If you received 20 inquiries this week and landed 10 jobs, your booking rate is 50%.
💡 If your rate is low:
- Is your pricing too high?
- Is your response time too slow?
- Are your follow-up emails weak?
Improving this one number can double your income without adding a single extra lead. 🔁📞
📣 6. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
Marketing isn’t free — so you need to know how much it costs to win each new customer.
Formula:
CAC = Total Marketing Spend ÷ New Customers Acquired
If you spent $500 on Google Ads and landed 10 new clients, your CAC is $50.
Compare this to your average customer value to see if your marketing efforts are worth it. If you’re spending $100 to land a $150 job, you’re cutting it close — unless that customer comes back or refers others.
🔁 7. Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV)
CLTV tells you how much a customer is worth over time — not just their first job.
If your average customer:
- Books 2 services a year
- Stays with you for 3 years
- Pays $300 per service
Then your CLTV is:
2 x 3 x $300 = $1,800
This is how you justify investing more to acquire high-value, long-term customers. And it reminds you to keep clients happy for repeat business. 🧽❤️
🌟 8. Review & Referral Metrics
Track how many:
- ⭐ New reviews you receive monthly
- 🧾 Referrals come from existing clients
- 💬 Leads mention seeing your work online
These “soft metrics” reflect your reputation, which is one of your most powerful sales tools. If these numbers stagnate, it may be time to improve the customer experience or proactively request more reviews. 📲
🧠 How to Track It All Without Losing Your Mind
You don’t need a complex system. Start simple:
- 📊 Use a spreadsheet to log revenue, expenses, and job details
- 💻 Try apps like QuickBooks, Jobber, or Housecall Pro
- 📱 Use Google Forms or CRMs for customer tracking
Review your metrics weekly or monthly — and schedule a quarterly “business health check” where you assess big-picture trends.
🚦 Final Thoughts: Measure What Matters
You don’t need to track every possible number — just the ones that help you make better decisions. Focus on:
✅ Revenue and profit margins
✅ Job efficiency and labor cost
✅ Lead conversions and CAC
✅ Customer lifetime value and referrals
Business is math. If you know your numbers, you stay in control — no matter how competitive the market or how unpredictable the economy.
Track your performance like a pro, and you’ll grow like one. 💪📈🧼
