Enter chemical usage, crew, labor hours, drive cost, and equipment — get true COGS, gross margin, break-even price, and a recommended rate. No guessing. Pure math.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gross margin for pressure washing?
Target 55–65% gross margin. Below 40% means your price doesn't cover overhead, insurance, and growth reinvestment. Break-even is COGS ÷ 0.55. Recommended is COGS ÷ 0.40 to hit a 60% target.
What does "loaded labor rate" mean?
Loaded rate = base wage + workers compensation + payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA) + any benefits. A crew member earning $18/hr typically costs $24–30/hr loaded. The default here is $28/hr.
Why is equipment depreciation calculated separately from drive cost?
Truck operating cost (IRS $0.67/mi) covers fuel, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle depreciation. Equipment depreciation (fuel × $4.20 + machine hours × $3.50) covers your pressure washing rig. Both have to come out of your margin — most operators under-price because they ignore equipment cost.
How is break-even price calculated?
Break-even price = Total COGS ÷ 0.55. This gives a 45% gross margin — the floor for covering business overhead without going backward. Recommended price = COGS ÷ 0.40 targets a 60% margin, standard for a sustainable exterior cleaning operation.
What truck cost per mile should I use?
The IRS standard mileage rate for 2024 is $0.67/mile, covering fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. High-fuel markets or larger vehicles may warrant $0.75–$0.85/mile.
How it works
1
Enter job details — type, quoted price, chemical usage, crew, hours, and drive.
2
Get instant P&L — COGS breakdown, gross margin, break-even, and recommended price.
3
Save your report — email yourself a PDF with the full breakdown and pricing matrix.
Operations Handbook
The pricing matrix operators use to move from under-priced to 58%+ margin. Includes job-type pricing tables, customer tier logic, and crew efficiency benchmarks.